Racing
Newmarket betting preview: Ghayyaith looks opposable in the Coronation Cup
Resident racing expert Alex Davies takes aim at the £5,000 Place 6 at Newmarket on Saturday. Read on for his Newmarket betting preview.
13:15 – Maiden Fillies’ Stakes
With only three of the fillies entered having racecourse experience, the opening race on the card is tricky to say the least.
Out of those who have the benefit of a previous run, ZEZENIA finished one length behind hot favourite Jovial at Newcastle, who holds an entry at Lingfield this evening. Her experience should stand her in good stead at this undulating track.
From the newcomers, the combination of Dettori and Gosden are always to be feared, but a chance is taken with LAWAHED to create a good impression on debut in what looks a wide-open affair.
Selections: LAWAHED, ZEZENIA
13:50 – Handicap
If the opener was tricky, this handicap poses just as many questions.
Swindler heads the market and a 6lb hike in the weights for his Ascot win last September may turn out to be lenient. However, I am inclined to look elsewhere.
SUMMERGHAND did not pull up any trees during his Meydan stint earlier this year but he should find these conditions more to his liking. Admirably consistent and with stacks of handicap form to his name, notably fourth in the Goodwood Cup and second in the Great St Wilfrid last year from the same mark, he looks likely to be in the frame once again.
FLAVIUS TITUS has figures of 13 on the Rowley Mile and should give a good account of himself. He is only 2lb above his last winning mark, with stylish claimer Megan Nicholls taking off 3lb. His form ties in nicely with SUMMERGHAND, as he beat him a neck in the Weatherbys Handicap over course and distance here last season.
Selections: SUMMERGHAND, FLAVIUS TITUS
14:25 – Abernant Stakes
After being pitched in Group 1 company for the majority of last season, EMARAATY ANA got back on track with a victory at Salisbury in September. A talented colt, it was good to see him back in the winners enclosure, and he may be able to capitalise again in what looks a weak Group 3.
Connections clearly think he’s talented as is evident in the company he has kept, and it’s worth noting he wasn’t beaten far by Ten Sovereigns in the Middle Park during his 2yo campaign.
The Portland Handicap is always incredibly tough to win, and OXTED looked a nice winner in the 2019 edition in September. He quickened nicely in the final furlong on good to firm ground and similar conditions likely here, he should run well.
He was also only half a length behind runaway Goodwood Cup winner Khaadem last May, and he looks likely to be involved at the finish.
Selections: EMARAATY ANA, OXTED
15:00 – Paradise Stakes
SANGARIUS was last seen when winning the Hampton Court at Royal Ascot and looks like a horse with serious potential. Sir Michael Stoute is a master with older horses, and he should be able to collect this listed prize with Ryan Moore in the saddle. He is a very lightly raced colt, but this could be a stepping stone to Group 1 contests such as the Queen Anne and the Sussex Stakes.
LORD TENNYSON is an interesting contender for John Gosden. An easy winner of a minor event at Chelmsford back in February, he quickened away very nicely and put the race to bed in a couple of strides. This is far tougher, but he is firmly in the ‘could be anything’ category.
Selection: SANGARIUS
15:35 – Coronation Cup
I was disappointed that Sir Dragonet wasn’t amongst the 72-hour declarations as I thought he would leave his comeback run well behind him here and produce a big performance.
Still, we have seven interesting runners in the first Group 1 of the season, headed by GHAYYAITH at the top of the market. He romped home over 1m 2f at Meydan back in March and also won a Group 1 in Germany last season before bombing out in the Arc.
I can look past him though as I’ve still yet to be really impressed with him so far, and a chance should be taken on DEFOE. He won this race last season as it’s original Epsom home before claiming the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot. He has form in the book at HQ, with a second to Communique in the Jockey Club Stakes last season, and the fast ground should suit here.
Derby winners are usually retired by Coolmore at the end of their 3yo season, so it’s interesting to see ANTHONY VAN DYCK continue to race at the age of four. He struggled after his Epsom heroics, but a fast finishing third in the Breeders Cup Turf was a glimpse at his ability and it would not surprise me if he had an impressive season.
Selections: DEFOE, ANTHONY VAN DYCK
16:10 – Handicap
The Melrose Handicap, ran during the Ebor Festival last August, looks a crucial piece of form in terms of this race. With this in mind, I have two in mind and my main selection is HOLY KINGDOM.
Tom Clover’s 4yo was beaten a head by First In Line, second in the Melrose, at Chelmsford last November, and has only been raised 2lb for it. Before that, he was third behind Hamish, winner of the Melrose, at York on ground that was probably too soft.
He is only 4lb higher today than he was at York and I think the quicker ground should play to his strength here, and give the Melrose form another boost.
If the Melrose is crucial to this race, SKYMAX also has to enter the equation. He was fourth at York, beaten only 2l and only 2lb higher today. His run in the Old Rowley Cup was poor but I am willing to give him another chance under Harry Bentley, who was a 7l winner at Newbury when he last rode him.
Selections: HOLY KINGDOM, SKYMAX
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