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Preview and tips for Friday’s racing at Newbury

10:13, 24 October 2024

The final two Flat meetings of the campaign at Newbury take place this weekend with the first on Friday and the finale on Saturday.

Up first is a seven-race card on Friday at the track, with the card kicking off at 1.41pm with an apprentice handicap before the action comes to a close with the one mile and two furlong class four handicap at 5.11pm.

Read below to discover the latest tips and preview of the Newbury card with data and insights provided by the expert racecards available on The Horse's Mouth.

Racing returns to Newbury
Racing returns to Newbury

It is very hard to see past Zikany in the opener for trainer Amanda Perrett as a field of eight take on the two-mile apprentice handicap in class five to get the Newbury card underway (1.41). The six-year-old absolutely bolted up by 17 lengths to win a Goodwood handicap 11 days ago and a 5lb hike in the weights shouldn’t be enough to stop him following up with handy apprentice Jack Dace on board, who enjoys a 22% strike rate when racing in this class.

The two-year-old’s take centre stage in race two of Newbury’s card on Friday (2.16) as 13 runners head to the start for the six furlong maiden stakes in class four. Marvelman took a step forward when runner-up at Salisbury last time out and can go well back down in class here for trainer Andrew Balding and his 11% strike rate at Newbury. Of his rivals, Dannick could be worth a look for trainers Gary and Josh Moore, a good third at Goodwood 12 days ago and should enjoy the heavy conditions having raced on that ground at Goodwood.

Kodi Lion was caught out by heavy ground when racing at Newbury on his last spin but shouldn’t befall the same fate when he lines up in race three (2.51) as seven runners tackle the seven furlong handicap in class three. Charlie Fellowes’ three-year-old has won twice in this sphere already and looks to be the one to beat, though Ascot-scorer Mercian Warrior can give him the most to think about, eased in the weights from a previous high of 79 down to 77 here.

The midway point of the card is reached at 3.26 as eight runners are set to line up for the six furlong handicap in class three. Sergeant Pep landed a career-best when scoring a Leicester last time for trainer Clive Cox and a 3lb rise here in the weights looks like he could defy it to follow up at a big price. Jockey Gina Mangan hits the places 14% of the time when racing at Newbury and her mount, Land Of Magic, represents the chief threat in this one.

Previous course and distance winner Flash Bardot goes well in the mud like he will get on Friday at Newbury when he takes his spot in the one mile and four furlong handicap in class three (4.01). Jack Channon’s runner got back to form with a third at Newmarket 20 days ago but preference heads the way of Balhambar for Lambourn trainer Harry Derham, who has had a strong start to the campaign and his five-year-old bagged a pair of handicaps last season before a fine second at Huntingdon to end his previous campaign.

Trainer Ralph Beckett has had a superb year introducing his juveniles to the racecourse and he has two strong hands in the penultimate race on Friday (4.36) with Majestic Leo and Centigrade. Preference is perhaps given slightly to the latter, going close on debut at Sandown eight weeks ago before being chinned on the line - the only concern being that was on good ground and these conditions at Newbury will be a big test for the €120,000 Too Darn Hot colt.

Finally, the card comes to a close with the one mile and two furlong fillies’ handicap in class four (5.11) to bring the curtain down on day one of the season finale, with preference heading the way of Wintercrack for trainer Pam Sly, who certainly has the best form on offer of the field after winning at Nottingham last time out to bounce right back to form following a couple of disappointing outings at York and Wetherby earlier this season.

Newbury selections - Friday

1.41 - Zikany

2.16 - Marvelman

2.51 - Kodi Lion

3.26 - Sergeant Pep

4.01 - Balhambar

4.36 - Centigrade

5.11 - Wintercrack

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