Saturday 1st July 2023
Author: Jordan Yates (EvRacing_)
Welcome aboard to this week’s Saturday Preview where it’s Northumberland Plate Day up at Newcastle, as well as Criterion Stakes Day down at Newmarket. I’ll be sharing my opinions on all seven races set to take place on ITV, so as ever, if you’re having a punt, make sure to do it in a responsible manner.
12.20 – NEWCASTLE
RAATEA – 3/1
“Course and distance winner trained by Julie Camacho who arrives here in form having won his last outing which came in a competitive handicap at Haydock last month when beating First Emperor by a neck. He’s been nudged up three pounds for that success but looks more of a solid option than most here, and he’s also proven that he can go well at this track..”
12.40 – NEWMARKET
STAR OF MYSTERY – 11/8 (NAP)
“Kodiac filly who was an impressive winner on her most recent start at Haydock last month, albeit when being heavily odds on. She did create a big impression on that occasion though, winning by eleven lengths and she represents the powerhouse connections of Godolphin and Charlie Appleby. It’s likely that there is a lot more to come from her and if she builds on her win from last time she’ll be very tough to beat. ”
12.55 – NEWCASTLE
TIBER FLOW – 7/2
“Listed winner for William Haggas who has a fine record at this track which reads 112, with his only defeat coming by just a shoulder to the smart El Caballo. He’s progressed with each run so far this term with his most recent run coming when finishing three lengths second to Creative Force at Haydock last month. If he progresses again here he’s got every chance of playing a serious role.”
1.15 – NEWMARKET
NEW LONDON – 11/10
“Charlie Appleby trained four-year-old who hasn’t been seen since finishing second in the St Leger last year at Doncaster and looked a seriously progressive prospect for the top trainer. He’s proven in the past that he can go well fresh and hasn’t been out of the top two placings in all of his six runs to date, winning four of them. This race doesn’t look particularly strong and if he’s anywhere near his best he’ll be tough to beat.”
1.30 – NEWCASTLE
MOSTLY SUNNY – 15/2
“Course and distance winner who represents the team of Heather Mann and Jason Hart in this competitive looking handicap, he returned to form last time out at Goodwood in June when finishing just under a length behind the winner and he’ll contest this off the same mark. He’s also just a pound higher than his comfortable success over track and trip last November and if turning up in the same kind of form he’s got to be considered as a serious player.”
1.50 – NEWMARKET
CRITERIUM STAKES
BERKSHIRE SHADOW – 9/2
“Four-year-old who comes here following a fine run at Royal Ascot eleven days ago where he finished fifth in the Queen Anne, and the Andrew Balding runner looks to still have some progression still to come. He won the listed Lady Wulfrana Stakes at Wolverhampton in March before following up with success on All-Weather Finals Day at Newcastle, which was then followed up with his best run to date when finishing third in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury in May. I think he’s more than good enough to go close in this under James Doyle.”
2.05 – NEWCASTLE
NORTHUMBERLAND PLATE
NATHANAEL GREENE – 9/1
“William Haggas runner who’s the mount of Andrea Atzeni and is currently trading at 9/1 for this fiercely competitive affair. I think that’s a fair price for a horse who comes into this race with some solid form to his name, on his most recent run he finished fifth behind the eventual Gold Cup winner at Newbury and he’s also proven he can run well in competitive handicaps having won one at Haydock last term and ran well in another at York following that Haydock success. He’s given the impression that he’ll appreciate this step up in trip and it’s likely that this race has been his prime target, if he gets some luck he could be the one to side with.”
