Weekend Betting Tips: Gregoria should shine at Newmarket

Our tipster Karl Hedley provides the odds for the weekend’s races

SATURDAY

NEWMARKET

2-00 EBF STALLIONS BREEDING WINNERS ‘JERSEY LILY’ FILLIES’ NURSERY – 7 FURLONGS

Gregoria disappointed slightly when dropped down to six furlongs last time at Doncaster. This return to seven ought to see her in a much better light and with first time cheek pieces applied she is taken to return to form. Ryan Moore retains the ride on the filly and having been placed over this course and distance in the past she can improve for the experience.

Little Lady Katie has shown progressive form all summer and with Karl Burke enjoying a purple patch with his runners recently, she looks to be a lively threat. She has already beaten the likes of Feeling Easy and Assault On Rome and ought to confirm those places. She went well in similar company last time but this step up to seven furlongs is an unknown and it has to be taken on trust that she will stay.

Rosalie Bonheur comes into this race as the least exposed. She has won her only two starts with the minimum of fuss and she promises to stay this extra furlong. She too looks capable of having a say in the outcome here and she too can make the frame. Sandy Cay looks to have much more on her plate than when winning at Kempton last time and is passed over on this occasion. Gregoria still has improvement in her and it will be disappointing if she is not there or thereabouts at the end.

MARKET RASEN

2-15 888sport HURDLE (LISTED HANDICAP) – 2 M 1 F

Mijhaar can go well fresh and he can defy a near six month absence to land this for John Ferguson and Tony McCoy. He acts on good ground and remains relatively unexposed compared to quite a number of his rivals. He may have limited hurdling experience but he absolutely slammed the likes of Lemony Bay and Kings Grey on his debut at Doncaster last season. The booking of the Champion jockey suggests that a big run is expected and if turning up here in the same mood they should prove hard to beat.

Dineur has proven a real money spinner for connections having won six times in the last year for Peter Bowen. Whilst fully effective at this trip he does stay a lot further and he is another that can go well fresh. Donal Devereux knows him inside out and they look to be a major threat to the selection.

Australia Day and Laudatory will ensure that there is a strong gallop from the outset and that could well set it up for a strong finisher. Cool Sky and Exitas have both been in good form of late but this run may come too soon and looks a great deal more competitive. Roman Flight looks to be coming to hand at just the right time and can make the frame once again. Mijhaar has the potential to be a very useful hurdler especially at this grade and he can make his presence felt.

2-50 888sport HANDICAP CHASE (LISTED) – 2 M 6 F 110 YDS

Ballincurrig was unfortunate not to get further than the first fence at Haydock when last seen out back in April. Prior to that run he had become remarkably consistent having notched up a win at Sandown and two at Stratford. He has won races up to an extended two and a half miles and has gone well following similar breaks in the past. Harry Skelton gets on well with the eight year old and has been on board for those last three wins so they have to command respect.

Fox Appeal represents last year’s winning trainer and is taking a huge drop in grade to contest this race. He has to give weight away all around this afternoon as a result and whilst it is not ideal, he could easily prove a cut above his rivals.

Shotavodka won the race in which the selection was brought down at Haydock and has become a punters favourite. He is fully entitled to come on from his seasonal reappearance at Newton Abbot last month and be seen to better effect here. Kieron Edgar is able to take a useful five pounds off his back and he can make the frame. Ballincurrig still has relatively few miles on the clock and there should still be further improvement to come.

NEWMARKET

3-50 BETFRED CAMBRIDGESHIRE (HERITAGE HANDICAP) – 1 M 1F

Educate may not have made the successful transition between handicaps and Group company as connections will have hoped but he has still run well in defeat. He can carry big weights in competitive races like this as he proved in the John Smith’s Cup at York earlier this season. He was not beaten far on that occasion and as he comes here relatively fresh so he has to be high on any shortlist. He won this race from a similar draw last season and it is notable that Ishmael Mohammed has booked Mikael Barzalona for the ride. The jockey rides this track well and the duo have to command respect in this thirty five runner race.

Queensbury Rules returned to form when getting his head in front for the first time this season at York. He had dropped to a career low mark on that occasion but the win will have revitalised him and he is likely to make a bold bid to follow up here under Ryan Moore. He has been berthed in stall thirty three and provided the ground remains on the good side he ought to go very well. Extremity has recorded three wins already this season and has already shortened in the market.

The booking of Andrea Atzeni catches the eye and although he is unproven over this extra furlong, the way he finished his race off at Thirsk last time suggests that it shall not be an issue. He has a good position in stall eighteen and he too has to be considered a legitimate threat. Cornrow and Velox are extremely short in the market despite not being proven at the trip and they are overlooked for that reason. Educate is proven over today’s trip and further so stamina will not be an issue and he looks primed to run a huge race.