1:50 Newbury
We start proceedings at Newbury with the Stevenson Stakes, a listed contest over 1m2f.
I like OKEECHOBEE (4/1) in here. It’s hard to say he’s not the most talented in this field, but he is just incredibly fragile. Six years old and he’s only had seven career starts. However, four of them have been victories, and he’s unbeaten on the turf with 2 wins from 2, which includes one in a Group 3. I’m happy to forgive his last run at Kempton as he ran too keenly out in front. He likes to take a lead, and he’ll get that her,e so should settle better. I think he can bounce back to form.
2:05 Market Rasen
The first race from Market Rasen is the 2:05. It is a handicap hurdle over an extended 2m4f trip.
I’ve landed on BROUGHSHANE (8/1) EW in this for the Bowens. A solid dual performer last season, he has decent form both over hurdles and over the larger obstacles, but his handicap hurdle victory last November reads well at this level. He has since moved from the O’Neill yard to the Bowens, and they do excel with their summer jump recruits. First-time blinkers go on, and I’m expecting him to show improved form. A mark of 115 looks fine.
2:25 Newbury
Next up from Newbury is the turn of the stayers. An 8-runner handicap over 2 miles.
The one for me is WILD WAVES (2/1) NAP. A really progressive three-year-old last term, better things were expected at 4, but it has been slightly underwhelming up to now. However, there’s no doubting the ability is there, and his third-placed effort in the Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot last time out was certainly a step back in the right direction. I have no doubt he is better than a mark of 99 and now is the time for him to show us that.
2:40 Market Rasen
The Summer Handicap Hurdle comes up at 2:40, a tricky handicap over the extended 2 miles.
The one for me is GOBLET OF FIRE (15/2) EW. A fine third in the competitive Swinton Handicap Hurdle when we last saw him, he looks well-weighted in here to give it another good go in a similar contest. Proven in these competitive handicaps hurdles is always a good place to start, I think he’s still unexposed coming from the Henderson yard, and the good ground always tends to suit his runners well. Goblet of Fire is still improving over hurdles, and he did improve with experience as he progressed on the flat. I’m hopeful he can continue to do the same over hurdles and go close here.
2:57 Newbury
The 2:57 from Newbury is the Group 3 Hackwood Stakes over 6 furlongs.
The one for me here is REGIONAL (9/4). A really solid, reliable sort who comes into this on the back of a cracking effort in finishing third at Royal Ascot at Group 1 level. He’s shown he’s as good as ever in two runs this season, and this is a significant drop in class considering the level he’s been running at in the last two years. He’s fresher than most of his rivals, and connections will be disappointing if he’s not winning this.
3:12 Market Rasen
The final race from Market Rasen is the Summer Plate Handicap Chase over the extended 2m5f trip.
It’s CEANNDANA (6/1) for me in here. Sneaking into this contest off 10’2, the Irish raider looks sure to run a big race. Last seen staying on strongly at Tipperary to finish a never-nearer third, I think he can come on for that outing and go close here.
3:30 Newbury
The 3:30 from Newbury is the competitive Super Sprint Stakes for the speedy 2-year-olds over 5f.
I think HAVANA HURRICANE (6/4) is too good for this level, and he can us show that today. A promising debut victory was followed by a fine second in the Woodcote at Epsom on Derby Day. Jockey Charles Bishop accepts he went for home too early that day, and he duly put it right when he and Havana Hurricane cut through the pack to win the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot last time out. He’s a strong stayer over 5f so Newbury will suit and I’d expect him to prove to be too good for this lot.
3:40 Curragh
We end ITV’s coverage with the Group 1 Irish Oaks for the 3-year-old fillies.
An underwhelming race that is one to just watch and it is hard to get away from Oaks winner MINNIE HAWK (1/4) in this. An improving filly who backed up her Chester Vase win with victory in the big one at Epsom. She’s still improving, and a career best beckons again, I’m sure. This is a weaker race than the Epsom renewal was, and you’d be very shocked if she wasn’t winning this before taking on the elders later in the season.
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