Our resident tipster Ben Morgan selects his best bets for Saturday’s action at Newbury
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Newbury 1.25 – Berkshire Whispers could be true
The Carnarvon Stakes looks a wide open race away from the highly rated favourite, and I certainly wouldn’t put anyone off backing one at a price.
These three-year-olds can develop so much at this time of the year, and the form book can be thrown out of the window to a certain extent.
I quite like BERKSHIRE WHISPER at 12/1, who has only been seen on the all-weather so far, but his progression on that surface certainly gives him a squeak here.
I see no reason why he shouldn’t be as good on turf and hailing from top connections, they certainly wouldn’t put him in a race like this if they didn’t think he could do himself justice. He looks like a solid each-way play.
Newbury 2.00 – Warrior looks ready to go to war in London Gold Cup
I love this race. Every year it just somehow seems to work out extremely well and produces numerous Group horses.
I am intrigued as to how this year’s edition will work out, and a horse who I think will be ready to run the race of his short career to date is ASMEN WARRIOR.
I have a lot of respect for the Dr Newland/Jamie Insole stable, and I think they have a good crop of horses to go to war with this season so I advise readers to take note of their runners in the future.
This lad put a below-par debut run behind him when reappearing at Thirsk, where he finished a clear second behind a smart one for Karl Burke.
He was considerably handled that day in my eyes and he showed the benefit of that with a better run at Leicester last time out.
He just got turned over by the highly rated Skimmer but again the pair were clear. With those runs in mind, I think the handicapper has been lenient, awarding him an opening mark of 83.
Bred to stay well I think he will relish the long straight here at Newbury and with such a low weight on his back I think he will be in the shake-up for sure.
Newbury 2.35 – Artist to draw a different impression from Sandown flop
The Lockinge looks a race to savour with the returning Rosallion reopposing with Notable Speech after their famous clashes last season.
Throw Dancing Gemini in the mix and it makes it a really interesting race.
However, it is a race which has thrown up a shock or two in recent seasons which has encouraged me to have a punt on LEAD ARTIST.
After bombing out at Sandown on his return this season you would probably question why but the booking of Oisin Murphy really catches my eye and the faith such strong connections continue to show in him suggests he must be better than what he has shown so far.
Having missed his 2 year old season, he scaled the ladder quite quickly last season and should be entitled to improve again this season.
I don’t know what happened at Sandown but the fact John Gosden has managed to take Oisin Murphy off Tamfana suggests he is hopeful of a much better showing.
The 20/1 currently on offer could look huge tomorrow at 2.40.
Newbury 1.25 – Berkshire Whisper
Newbury 2.00 – Asmen Warrior
Newbury 2.35 – Lead Artist
