Harry Wilson has shared his selections for all eight races scheduled to be broadcast live on ITV this Saturday, covering events at Newcastle and York. His tips include a range of horses, some of which have been previously highlighted.
Newcastle selections
For the 1.40 Newcastle, the Education Network Handicap over 7f, Wilson’s pick is Bobby Bennu. This horse showed promise on its return from a break at Chester last month, finishing fourth despite a wide draw. The return to an all-weather surface is expected to be beneficial, considering its career-best Racing Post Rating was achieved in this sphere. Bobby Bennu is also considered well-handicapped, running 2lb below its last winning mark.
In the 2.10 Newcastle, the Jenningsbet Chipchase Stakes (Group 3) over 6f, Wilson has tipped Wiltshire. Following wind surgery, Wiltshire secured a victory in a 6f handicap at Newcastle in April, maintaining an unbeaten record over the course and distance under Cieren Fallon. Its previous defeat on quicker ground is viewed as forgivable, and the horse is expected to perform well at this level back on its preferred surface.
The 2.40 Newcastle, the Jenningsbet Festival Northumberland Vase Handicap over 2m½f, features Believitanducan as Wilson’s choice. Believitanducan has recently achieved comfortable Flat victories at Ascot and Chester, beating a subsequent winner at Ascot and showing strong command at Chester. The horse is believed to have further improvement to offer over this distance and is considered well-weighted despite a 5lb penalty.
For the 3.15 Newcastle, the Jenningsbet Northumberland Plate Handicap over 2m½f, Wilson has advised two selections: Team Player and Saint Etienne. Team Player has shown significant progress this year, with wins at Newcastle and Musselburgh, followed by a fifth-place finish from a disadvantageous draw in the Chester Cup. Wilson describes Team Player as a “big player off an unchanged mark.” Saint Etienne, a three-time all-weather winner in France, is considered well-handicapped based on past form and has been specifically prepared for this race.
The final Newcastle race, the 3.45 Jenningsbet Over 200 Shops Nationwide Handicap over 6f, sees Power Fizz as Wilson’s tip. Power Fizz improved over 7f last year and made further strides after a gelding operation, winning a handicap over course and distance in March when dropped to 6f. The horse performs well after a break, suggesting its recent time off is not a concern, and is expected to offer more as a sprinter.
York selections
At York, for the 1.55 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Mile Handicap over 1m, Wilson’s pick is Frankies Dream. This horse has drawn attention in its last three outings, particularly with a career-best Racing Post Rating of 91 when finishing second by half a length in a 1m1f handicap at York two weeks ago. Its record at York stands at 512, and a 2lb rise to a mark of 83 is considered manageable.
In the 2.25 York, the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dash Handicap over 5f, Wilson’s selection is Stargazed. Stargazed was narrowly beaten by half a length on its handicap debut over course and distance last month. The form of this race was subsequently boosted when the third, seventh, and fourth-placed horses from that event filled the first three positions in the 3YO ‘Dash’. Stargazed benefits from a better weight allocation compared to some rivals and is expected to find this race more suitable than its previous run in a Royal Ascot handicap.
For the 2.58 York, the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Criterion Stakes (Group 3) over 7f, Wilson has tipped Chicago Critic. This horse performed better than its fourth-place finish in the Tattenham Corner Stakes at Epsom this month might suggest, as it would have preferred a stronger pace. Chicago Critic is also believed to perform better on faster ground, and the conditions of this race are expected to be favourable.
Separately, Timeform analysts have also provided their selections for Saturday’s races across various venues, including Chester, The Curragh, Chepstow, Newcastle, and York. For the 14.02 Chester, Stardom Glory is favoured due to its two second-place finishes at York, which are considered stronger form than a rival’s fourths at Newmarket and Beverley. Stardom Glory also benefits from stall 1.
In the 15.38 York, Who’s Lope is highlighted as an unexposed three-year-old with significant potential for improvement, especially with Oisin Murphy taking the ride for the first time. The horse has shown considerable progress in its three runs, particularly relishing the step up to 1½m at Beverley.
For the 16.23 Newcastle, Knock Three Times is tipped to win, receiving weight from all competitors. The filly made a promising debut, finishing second at Nottingham, and then ran into the Albany fourth at Goodwood. Her achievements so far make her a strong contender.
At 16.50 York, No Knee Never is considered a strong candidate in an amateur riders’ race, benefiting from a yard in good form and a highly skilled jockey who has ridden the horse to three comfortable successes previously. The horse has shown enough recently to suggest a win on turf is possible, especially with its regular cheekpieces refitted.
The 17.05 Curragh features The Piper’s Call as a compelling claim in a competitive sprint handicap. Its maiden form from last year has been significantly boosted, and it proved its well-being after an 11-month absence by winning a course and distance maiden earlier in the month. The handicapper’s mark of 82 is seen as lenient.
Finally, for the 17.40 The Curragh, Starborn Legend is expected to perform well in the concluding maiden. The horse, trained by Joseph O’Brien, shaped better than its sixth-place finish on debut suggested, encountering trouble during the race. With the benefit of that experience, it is anticipated to be very hard to beat.
At 20.05 Chepstow, Act Of Violence is of interest due to a significant drop in its mark, allowing it to enter a 0–55 race for the first time. The switch to a new yard, which boasts a strike rate of over 20% with recruits from other stables and is currently in strong form, adds to its appeal. The horse holds multiple entries in the coming days, suggesting a concerted run.
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Source: racingpost.com
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As News-GB's Sports Reporter, Megan Sinclair reports on tennis, cricket and athletics for readers across the country. She built her name interviewing rising British talent. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from the University of Edinburgh and completed an NCTJ diploma. Megan lives in Edinburgh, where she plays club tennis and follows track athletics. “Give the athletes room and the story tells itself.”