Saturday 19th July 2025
Saturday’s Best Bets
1.50: Newbury (Steventon Stakes)
Kicking things off for me this Saturday will be the 1.50 at Newbury, and this is the Listed Steventon Stakes that’s contested over a mile and two furlongs. We’ve got a competitive renewal, as there’s not much separating the majority of them ratings-wise. I’ve come down on Rashabar, though, for Brian Meehan and Sean Levey. He’s been behind Field Of Gold on his last two outings within Group 1 company, so this represents a significant ease in grade, which he should appreciate. He also ran well here on his seasonal reappearance when finishing second behind Jonquil in the Group 3 Greenham Stakes, and he gets the weight allowance from all of his rivals here.
RASHABAR – 4/1 (Each-Way)
2.25: Newbury
My second pick of the day on Saturday comes within the 2.25 at Newbury and this is a Class 2 handicap that’s contested over two miles and half of a furlong. I’m fairly strong on the chances of Kyle Of Lochalsh here for Hughie Morrison and David Probert. He was third in this race last year off the same mark as his current one, and he should improve considerably following his seasonal reappearance at Southwell back in April. This was likely the plan to come back to this race, and he should perform well again.
KYLE OF LOCHALSH – 9/2 (Each-Way) (NB)
2.57: Newbury (Hackwood Stakes)
Next up for me will be the 2.57, also at Newbury, and this is the Group 3 Hackwood Stakes that’s contested over six furlongs. I’m with Elite Status here for Karl Burke and Clifford Lee. He won this race last year, and although he has struggled within Group 1 & 2 company since, he seems to save his best for Newbury, and he should appreciate the return to Group 3 company. A much improved showing back in this particular contest would be no surprise.
ELITE STATUS – 4/1 (Each-Way)
3.30: Newbury (Wetherbys Super Sprint Stakes)
One of the most competitive races of the afternoon, and the season in general, is the Wetherbys Super Sprint, and this takes place at Newbury at 3.30. The race is a Class 2 event over five furlongs, and whilst Havana Hurricane will be very popular here, I’ve tried to take him on with Our Cody for Richard Hughes and Luke Morris. She’s got a considerable amount to find on official ratings; however, she should have plenty of improvement still to come, and she looked impressive when at Windsor last time out by over three lengths, and the horse in second that day has since won by just under four lengths. She represents some value here and could do well if she gets some luck in a highly competitive affair.
OUR CODY – 8/1 (Each-Way)
4.15: Curragh (Curragh Cup)
My best bet of the day is my fifth and final selection, and this comes within the 4.15 at the Curragh, and this is the Group 2 Curragh Cup over a mile and six furlongs. I’m strong on the chances of Al Riffa here for Joseph O’Brien and Dylan Browne McMonagle. He’s a dual Group 1 winner and has several pieces of high-class form to his name, including his most recent run when finishing second to the globetrotting Rebel’s Romance at Royal Ascot. He’s up in trip here, however, given how he kept on last time out over twelve furlongs, it could bring out further improvement. He should have a very big say.
AL RIFFA – 11/8 (Win) (NAP)
