Horse Racing: York & Newbury – Saturday July 18

Our top tipster Stef Fellows looks ahead to a busy day of racing on Saturday in the UK with meetings at York and Newbury.

Stefan Fellows

YORK

Horse racing

13:55
THE JOHN SMITH’S SILVER CUP STAKES
CLASS 1, Group 3

A tight looking Group 3 despite just the 5 runners. Top rated Communique looks the likely pace angle to the race and could just get an easy time of things from the front.

The Mark Johnston trained runner finished a respectable second in a Group 2 recently at Newmarket and on that form holds serious claims. He does seem to save his best for that track though which is a slight concern.

The Charlie Appleby trained Moonlight Sprit failed to see out the 2m4f trip of the Ascot Gold Cup last time out and is better on his earlier efforts over shorter. This lightly raced 4-year-old should have more to give.

A winner of 4 of his last 5 starts the progressive Universal Order looks to still be on the upgrade. The David Simcock trained runner was a winner of a small field listed race last time out over 2 furlongs shorter than today`s trip.

The step-up in trip should be no issue and if the race was to become tactical, he could be one who benefits most. He is taken to make Jamie Spencer`s return to the saddle a winning one.

Selection: Universal Order (NB)

14:30
THE JOHN SMITH’S CUP HANDICAP STAKES
CLASS 2, Heritage Handicap (Paying 1 extra place 1/5 1-2-3-4-5)

No surprise to see a wide-open looking renewal here on what always is a strongly competitive high-grade handicap.

There looks little between Great Example and Caradoc based on when they meet at Newbury last season.

The latter has since ran a promising enough run at Epsom recently but the lack of a recent run should not count against Great Example and with Cieren Fallon able to claim a valuable 3lbs he is taken to reverse that form.

Solid Stone looks the slowly improving type his trainer does so well with and was an impressive winner on his return to action this year after being gelded.

He looks open to more improvement still and is taken to follow up. Harrovian is also sure to have his supporters for the John Gosden / Frankie Dettori combination and is one of many dangers.

Selection: Solid Stone

UK Horse Racing Newmarket

15:05
THE JOHN SMITH’S CITY WALLS STAKES
CLASS 1, Listed Race

Fast and furious stuff here with plenty looking to get on with things, which could just set the race up nicely for Equilateral.

The Charlie Hills trained runner was only found Battash to strong for him at Royal Ascot and although slightly disappointing last time out he looks better suited to a fast ran 5f trip.

Que Amoror represents the in-form pair of Michael Dods and Paul Mulrennan. She was an impressive winner last time in a Listed race and should go close again if not doing too much early.

Selection: Equilateral

15:40
THE WILLIAM HILL EXTRA PLACES EVERY DAY HANDICAP STAKES
CLASS 3

Another wide-open looking handicap. Al Muffrih will need to settle better than recently but has claims on the pick of his form.

Make My Day makes his first start for the Ralph Beckett team. This son of Galileo is lightly raced with just the 3 starts to date and despite not being seen since winning a maiden at Goodwood last June is taken to follow give his new trainer another success in this race.

Prejudice is another to consider and should go well for the inform David Simcock team

Selection: Make My Day (Nap)

NEWBURY

Horse Racing Newbury

14:15
THE ROSE BOWL STAKES
CLASS 1, Listed Race

Some smart 2-year olds on show here and none were more impressive last time than likely should price favourite Method. A wide-margin winner on debut he looks the most likely winner if able to reproduce that debut effort.

Mighty Gurka finished midfield at Royal Ascot but has to be respected.

Those looking for some each-way value against the favourite though could be wise to consider Tanfanatic. Trianer Brain Meehan is having a good time of things at the moment and his runner here will be suited by the step up to 6f based on his fourth-placed effort in a listed race at Sandown recently.

Selection: Tanfanatic Each Way

14:50
THE BRITISH EBF PREMIER FILLIES’ HANDICAP STAKES
CLASS 2

This is much calmer waters for Graceful Magic after her reappearance run in the 1000 Guineas, she did not show up too badly that day considering and posted some solid efforts towards the end of last season including a victory in a handicap over 7f at Doncaster.

The step up to a mile on pedigree and run style should bring about more improvement this season and she looks to have been slightly overlooked here.

The unbeaten in 2 starts Tonyx has to be respected as does the William Haggas trained Tomorrow’s Dream after her impressive victory on handicap debut last time out.

Selection: Graceful Magic

Newmarket Races Horse Racing

15:25
THE APHRODITE FILLIES’ STAKES
CLASS 1, Listed Race

The lightly raced pair of La Lune and Virgin Snow look likely to head the market here and preference is for the Ed Dunlop trained filly.

This nicely bred type ran well enough in a group 3 at Newcastle last time and could be open to more improvement now stepping up a further 2 furlongs.

Tribal Craft has a bit to find on ratings but this in form filly was a winner last time out in a/w handicap at Kempton and could be hard to peg back if getting out in front early.

Selection: Virgin Snow

16:00
THE HACKWOOD STAKES
CLASS 1, Group 3

Top-rated The Tin Man will no doubt have impressed his supporters being a previous winner of this race. He showed up ok at Royal Ascot in the Diamond Jubilee and drops down in grade today.

Judicial has posted some consistent efforts recently including victory in a Group 3 at Newcastle last time but that will make things tougher this time giving weight all round.

Tabdeed made a pleasing enough return this season and could still have more to come but the most progressive horse in the field looks to be the 3-year-old Repartee.

The Kevin Ryan trained runner was well on top at the finish in a Listed race at Windsor recently and with that being just his fifth start he looks to have plenty more improvement to come.

Selection: Repartee

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