Newbury Races Preview: 19th July 2025

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13:50 Newbury – Betvictor Steventon Stakes (Listed) – 1m2f – Class 1 – 3yo+

Main Themes & Key Facts:

  • Pace Expectation: A “Strong” pace is predicted, which is noted to “enhance further the prospects of OKEECHOBEE and not ANCIENT WISDOM (FR) if they are ridden as they usually are at a trip and track where hold-up horses generally have an advantage anyway.” This suggests a race that will benefit horses with a strong late turn of foot, rather than front-runners.
  • Draw Bias: No significant draw bias is identified for this distance at Newbury.
  • Key Contenders:ENFJAAR (IRE): The top selection (“9/10 – Ideal setup; in-form trainer; unlucky last time.”) due to an “Impressive sectional efficiency at Royal Ascot” where he was “denied a run at crucial stage and finished with running left.” His strong finishing style is perfectly suited to the strong pace forecast.
  • OKEECHOBEE: A “Solid player” (“8/10”) with “very smart performer” status, having won a Group 3 in 2024. He is expected to be “sharper now” after a recent run and is “well drawn to track the pace.”
  • ANCIENT WISDOM (FR): Highlighted as “Regressive?” despite his class. While “gelded since and drops in grade,” his usual close-up racing style might be hampered by the strong pace unless he is “ridden with restraint.” Charlie Appleby’s strong strike rate (27% over 10f+) is a factor.
  • Each-Way Angle: MEYDAAN (IRE) is singled out: “Can close strongly in a strongly-run race. May trade big in-running again and sneak a place.” This aligns with the “Individual Price Hint” that he has a “record of winning after trading much higher than Betfair SP.”
  • Analyst’s Verdict: “Daylight appeared all too late for ENFJAAR in the Wolferton at Royal Ascot… He looks ready to strike on that evidence.”

14:25 Newbury – Back The Super Boost At Betvictor Handicap (Class 2) – 2m 110y – 3yo+

Main Themes & Key Facts:

  • Pace Expectation: A “Very Weak” pace is anticipated. This is crucial as it “ought to work against WILD WAVES (IRE) in the favour of ARTISTIC STAR (IRE).” This implies that front-running or prominently ridden horses will have an advantage, while typical hold-up horses might struggle to get into the race.
  • Draw Bias: No discernible draw bias for this race.
  • Key Contenders:KYLE OF LOCHALSH: The top pick (“8/10”) and “horse for course” having finished “third in this race last year from same mark.” His proven stamina and freshness after 83 days off make him well-suited to the expected tactical setup.
  • WILD WAVES (IRE): Despite a “Strong staying 4yo with good Royal Ascot third,” his “Race shape a concern – lacks tactical speed and may get caught out” by the weak pace.
  • WONDER LEGEND (IRE): Considered capable of bouncing back (“7/10”) from a Group 1 effort where he “shaped as if amiss when pulled up in Gold Cup.” His ability to dictate if allowed a soft lead is a factor.
  • Each-Way Angle: CONTACTO is noted as an “Unexposed staying profile and proven stamina. Will stay on late even if pace is moderate.”
  • Analyst’s Verdict: “KYLE OF LOCHALSH is a likeable stayer who was third in this race from the same mark a year ago, so he could be the answer arriving here fresh.”

14:57 Newbury – Hallgarten And Novum Wines Hackwood Stakes (Group 3) – 6f – 3yo+

Main Themes & Key Facts:

  • Pace Expectation: A “Very Strong” pace is forecast. This is a significant factor, as it “can see that change and REGIONAL will probably be vulnerable and KIND OF BLUE will probably be favoured in that case.” This indicates a race where front-runners might burn out, benefiting closers.
  • Draw Bias: A “Notable bias against high draws on quick Newbury ground in sprints.” Low-to-mid stalls are preferred, positioning REGIONAL (stall 3) and KIND OF BLUE (stall 5) ideally. High-drawn runners like JARRAAF (stall 8) face an “uphill task.”
  • Key Contenders:KIND OF BLUE: The strongest contender (“9/10 – Sweet spot on draw and pace setup; strong late sectionals.”) He “Won G1 Champions Sprint at Ascot in 2024” and is “well positioned for hold-up ride; the pace collapse scenario strongly suits.” He “Looks poised to bounce back.”
  • REGIONAL: A “very reliable sprinter at a notch or two above this Group 3” and “Classy” (“8/10”). However, his “front-running style a concern” given the “very strong pace.”
  • ELITE STATUS: Won this race in 2024 but has been “Regressive?” this year. The “Cheekpieces now tried” offer a chance of revival.
  • Each-Way Angle: FAIR ANGELLICA is suggested: “Likely to finish strongly from the rear if there’s a total pace meltdown. Low weight could help her into a minor placing.”
  • Analyst’s Verdict: “REGIONAL is a very reliable sprinter… and on the back of another very good run at Royal Ascot, he could well be the answer. Elite Status won this race a year ago and is a danger to all if taking to the fitting of cheekpieces. An on-song Kind of Blue would also come right into the reckoning.”

15:30 Newbury – Weatherbys Super Sprint Stakes (Class 2) – 5f 34y – 2yo Only – 20 runners

Main Themes & Key Facts:

  • Pace Expectation: An “Extreme” pace is predicted, creating a “blistering gallop.” This means the race will be run at a very fast early speed, stringing out the field.
  • Draw Bias: No formal draw bias declared, but “previous runnings suggest a slight middle-to-low draw advantage in large sprints on good-firm ground.”
  • Key Contenders:HAVANA HURRICANE: The clear standout (“10/10 – Strongest on form, tactically flexible, best Timefigs. Class edge.”) He “Bolted up in the Windsor Castle (Listed)” at Royal Ascot and his “Form boosted by subsequent runs of beaten rivals.” His “Timefigure (101+) on stiff Ascot track” shows a high-class turn of foot.
  • OUR CODY: A “Dangerous improver” (“8/10”) with a “sharp pace profile” and “tactically speedy.” She “Could get ideal stalking trip just off searing gallop.”
  • ANTHELIA: A “Class filly” (“8/10”) with “Group form already” and “proven stamina” over 6f, which “helps if pace collapses.”
  • Each-Way Angles (20 runners): Several viable options are highlighted:
  • KAMAKAMELEON: “Hit traffic at Royal Ascot, still finished strong.”
  • COTAI BELLE: “Efficient, improving filly with good draw.”
  • SANDS OF SPAIN: “Wins backed by solid Tfigs; consistent.”
  • Analyst’s Verdict: “it’s hard to oppose Eve Johnson Houghton’s upwardly-mobile colt HAVANA HURRICANE who proved much too good for a similarly big field in Royal Ascot’s Windsor Castle last month and rates much the pick on that form.”

16:10 Newbury – Darley EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes (Class 2) – 1m2f – 3yo+

Main Themes & Key Facts:

  • Pace Expectation: A “Very Weak” pace is forecast due to a “distinct lack of natural front-runners.” This will favour “those racing handily,” while “hold-up types like BOMBA DEL MUNDO may be disadvantaged if it turns tactical.”
  • Draw Bias: Not material in this small field over this distance.
  • Key Contenders:SEA THE WONDER: The strongest profile (“9/10 – Strong debut, excellent pedigree, trainer excels with improvers.”) She “overcame a pace bias to win impressively at Chelmsford” and “should improve markedly now tackling 10f.”
  • GLISTENING: Top-rated on Timeform (TFR 83) and “proven at the trip, front-runner in weak-pace setup.” However, there’s a question mark over “Fitness and freshness could tell after 309 days off.”
  • WUJJOOD: “Tough and progressive” (“8/10”), displaying “tenacity last time out when winning a small-field event.” Her ability to “race handy” makes her “tactically well-suited.”
  • Newcomer to Note: GOLD PENNY is an “Intriguing newcomer” with a “Top pedigree; trainer has excellent debutant strike rate at this trip.” She is a “Full sister to Farhh.”
  • Each-Way Angle: WUJJOOD is suggested: “Has the tactical speed and recent fitness to be bang there; potential each-way value.”
  • Analyst’s Verdict: “the well-bred SEA THE WONDER taken to make it 2-2 following an impressive start to her career at Chelmsford. This is a much tougher assignment, but she can be expected to take a significant step forward here with that experience to draw upon.”

16:45 Newbury – Run For Your Money At Betvictor EBF Novice Stakes (Class 4) – 6f – 2yo Only

Main Themes & Key Facts:

  • Pace Expectation: A “Very Weak” pace is predicted. Similar to previous races, this will heavily favour horses that can race prominently. “EGOLI and SONG OF THE CLYDE are best positioned tactically.”
  • Draw Bias: Not significant in this small, straight-course sprint.
  • Key Contenders:EGOLI: The standout performer (“9/10 – Suited by pace, already clocked a winning figure, expected to lead or stalk.”) He made a “Big step forward on second start to score at York, staying on strongly despite green signs.” His “Timefigure (92) best in field.”
  • SONG OF THE CLYDE: “On an upward curve” (“8/10”) after an “Impressive Chester winner.” He “Landed 5-runner Chester maiden, asserting late off a strong final furlong.” Clive Cox has a good record in this race.
  • Newcomers: Several debutants like COURT ALERT, FIVE WAYS, and GOUKEN are in the field. While some have respectable pedigrees, they “may struggle in a race that could turn into a dash off a slow early gallop.”
  • Each-Way Angle: Not applicable due to the small field size (7 runners).
  • Analyst’s Verdict: “Clive Cox has bagged this twice in recent years so his Chester scorer SONG OF THE CLYDE gets the vote with more progress on the cards… York winner Egoli also looks to have better days ahead of him and could emerge as the main danger ahead of a trio of newcomers.”

17:20 Newbury – British Stallion Studs EBF Premier Fillies’ Handicap (Class 3) – 7f – 3yo+ Fillies

Main Themes & Key Facts:

  • Pace Expectation: An “Even” pace is expected, which “should offer a fair test for all types.” MAYBE NOT is the “likeliest pace influence.”
  • Draw Bias: No material bias over 7f on Newbury’s straight course in a field of this size.
  • Key Contenders:MAYBE NOT: The top selection (“9/10 – Progressive, good sectionals, adaptable.”) She was “Stylish at Ffos Las (7.5f, soft), where she travelled strongly and asserted readily.” Her “4 lb rise looks lenient” and she has a “progressive profile.”
  • SANTA SAVANA: “Reliable, pace-suited, fair weight” (“8/10”), having been “Narrowly second past the post but awarded race at Haydock.” She has shown “Consistent handicap form at 6f–7f this year.”
  • ROCKYMOUNTAINWAY: A “Capable in context” (“7/10”) runner whose “Listed effort [at Ascot] forgivable” due to track bias. She is “weighted to be competitive” if she can bounce back.
  • Each-Way Angle: BELA SONATA is suggested as “Unexposed and shaped well on last two outings. Could sneak into frame at a fair price.”
  • Analyst’s Verdict: “Conditions here are likely to be markedly different to the slow ground MAYBE NOT encountered when scoring on handicap debut at Ffos Las. However, she had shaped well on good at Chester prior to that and, having gone up just 4 lb and with the promise of better to come, she looks the way to go.”

Based on the information in the sources and our conversation history, here are the “Private Tissue Estimates” (tissue odds) for each of the races you queried:

  • 13:50 NEWBURY – BETVICTOR STEVENTON STAKES (Listed) (1)
    • Enfjaar – 11/4
    • Okeechobee – 4/1
    • Rashabar – 5/1
    • Ancient Wisdom – 11/2
    • Meydaan – 8/1
    • Bolster – 16/1
    • Certain Lad – 18/1
    • Royal Dubai – 25/1
  • 14:25 NEWBURY – BACK THE SUPER BOOST AT BETVICTOR HANDICAP (2)
    • Kyle of Lochalsh – 3/1
    • Wonder Legend – 9/2
    • Contacto – 9/2
    • Wild Waves – 6/1
    • Artistic Star – 8/1
    • Almuhit – 10/1
    • Tides of War – 16/1
    • Scottish Anthem – 33/1
  • 14:57 NEWBURY – HALLGARTEN AND NOVUM WINES HACKWOOD STAKES (Group 3) (1)
    • Kind of Blue – 3/1
    • Regional – 9/2
    • Elite Status – 11/2
    • Jarraaf – 8/1
    • Diligent Harry – 9/1
    • Khaadem – 10/1
    • Fair Angellica – 14/1
    • Ferrous – 20/1
    • King’s Gamble / Rage of Bamby / Ain’t Nobody / Russet Gold – 25/1+
  • 15:30 NEWBURY – WEATHERBYS SUPER SPRINT STAKES (2)
    • Havana Hurricane – 7/4
    • Our Cody – 6/1
    • Anthelia – 7/1
    • Cotai Belle – 12/1
    • Ali Shuffle – 14/1
    • Kamakameleon – 14/1
    • Raakeb – 16/1
    • Sands of Spain – 18/1
    • Others – 25/1+
  • 16:10 NEWBURY – DARLEY EBF FILLIES’ NOVICE STAKES (2)
    • Sea The Wonder – 5/2
    • Glistening – 3/1
    • Wujjood – 4/1
    • Gold Penny – 9/2
    • Consent – 7/1
    • Bomba Del Mundo – 20/1
    • Opera Wave / Quite Sweet – 66/1+
  • 16:45 NEWBURY – RUN FOR YOUR MONEY AT BETVICTOR EBF NOVICE STAKES (4)
    • Egoli – 7/4
    • Song of the Clyde – 11/4
    • Court Alert – 6/1
    • Inca Heights – 6/1
    • Five Ways – 10/1
    • Gouken – 12/1
    • Tie Fighter – 14/1
  • 17:20 NEWBURY – BRITISH STALLION STUDS EBF PREMIER FILLIES’ HANDICAP (3)
    • Maybe Not – 5/2
    • Santa Savana – 9/2
    • Rockymountainway – 6/1
    • Bela Sonata – 13/2
    • Definitive – 10/1
    • Star Style – 10/1
    • Mollie Foster – 12/1
    • British Blue – 16/1
    • Adaay In Devon – 20/1
    • Ruff Justice – 33/1

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