Andy Newton: “Washington to land ‘Capital’ and be bookies ‘Achilles’ heel”

Saturday’s Listed Betway Achilles Stakes has been rerouted from Haydock’s cancelled meeting to Carlisle, which is great news for the eight runners chasing the £34k first prize.

See Andy Newton’s Carlisle horse racing tips for their big race below.

Plus also get Ben Morgan’s Saturday fancies here.

Achilles Stakes Best Bets and Tips For Carlisle Listed Contest

The Clive Cox entry Redorange will be a popular pick to turn the bookies blue after a nice win at Windsor last time out.

But that came in a handicap and is now upped in grade (Listed) and he’s yet to score at this level (0-2).

While the other niggle for Redorange for me is his age (4) as 13 of the last 16 winners of the Achilles Stakes were aged 5+.

Starlust is the top-rated (111) and with top Group One form he’d be the obvious pick if back to his best.

However, he’s been off the track for 347 days strutting his stuff at stud – so it remains to be seen how much energy he’s got left for his Saturday return – wink, wink.

Rogue Lightening, Celandine and Azure Angel are others that are sure to attract interest.

However, despite some funny looks from the guys on the Final Furlong Podcast this week – I think WASHINGTON HEIGHTS can land the capital……..excuse the pun!

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The ONLY Course and Distance Winner In The Field

Yes, he’s not always an easy horse to catch right – but the are three fair reasons to suggest he could go well for the Kevin Ryan yard.

Firstly, he’s the ONLY CD winner in the field – having won here at Carlisle on his second career run back in 2022. Meaning the switch from Haydock to Carlisle might actually work in his favour.

Next up is two recent runs at Newmarket should have him spot on for his, while his 6th in the Palace House Stakes last time has been franked again with the winner Night Raider landing the Temple Stakes last weekend.

And finally, the drop back in class into a Listed race should also help. Washington Heights has form of 3-1-1 at this level – including his last win coming in this grade at York last July.

Therefore, I’m happy to side with Washington Heights here to land the Carlisle ‘capital’.

BACK: WASHINGTON HEIGHTS with BetTom @ 5/1

Note: Odds are subject to change

Achilles Stakes Trends and Stats

16/16 – Returned 14/1 or shorter
14/16 – Had won over 5f before
14/16 – Didn’t win last time out
13/16 – Aged 5 or older
13/16 – Had raced in the last 10 weeks
12/16 – Had run at the course before
12/16 – Had finished in the top 5 last time out
11/16 – Drawn between stalls 2-7 (inc)
10/16 – Won between 6-8 times before
10/16 – Winning distance 1 length or less
9/16 – Unplaced favourites
5/16 – Winning favourites
2/16 – Trained by William Haggas
2/16 – Ridden by Oisin Murphy (2 of the last 9)
11 of the last 12 winners returned 9/1 or shorter
4 of the last 10 winners from stalls 5 (2) or 9 (2)
The last 13 winners came between stalls 2-10
The average winning SP in the last 10 runnings is 5/1
Balmoral Lady won the race in 2025
Note: The 2020 running was staged at Doncaster
Note: This race is normally run at Haydock Park

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