UK Horse Racing Tips: Newbury

Richard Hannon has trained the last couple of winners of this and any strong support for PRIVATE AFFAIR should be noted. The son of Soldier's Call is a brother to a winner over 5f and will likely posses enough pace to have a say in the outcome. Siren Suit's dam won the Princess Margaret over 6f as a two-year-old and he is another to closely monitor, while Inca Heights is related to several winners and could make his presence felt.
Prediction : 1st Private Affair 2nd Siren Suit 3rd Inca Heights

William Haggas has won this contest twice in recent years and introduces the Frankel filly CONSECRATED. She is a half-sister to Sacred, who won the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes here for the Haggas yard and went very close in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, and she may prove the one to side with. Cajole shares ownership with the selection and the daughter of Dubawi could feature, while Breckenbrough cost 130,000gns as a half-sister to a Listed 6f winner and is worthy of a second look.
Prediction : 1st Consecrated 2nd Cajole 3rd Breckenbrough

QUEEN OF THIEVES makes plenty of appeal tackling middle-distances for the first time. A sister to the top-class Cracksman, she will have learned plenty from last year's debut over a mile at Doncaster and should have bags more to offer. Lady Ridgewood is another likely to benefit for this extra test of stamina, having gone close at Kempton in November. Serenity Prayer is a newcomer to keep an eye on for the future.
Prediction : 1st Queen Of Thieves 2nd Lady Ridgewood 3rd Serenity Prayer

FALCONER impressed in mastering an odds-on favourite when introduced over an extended mile at Nottingham at the back end of last season. A dual Derby entrant, the son of New Bay is highly likely to find this step up in trip a natural process and he is very much the pick of Andrew Balding's duo. Gethin also made a winning debut at the same venue last autumn and is another Derby entrant to bear in mind. Dangerman and Marnier are notable newcomers representing a top yard.
Prediction : 1st Falconer 2nd Gethin 3rd Dangerman

CHARGING THUNDER made a successful return to the Flat with a relatively cosy victory at Southwell a fortnight ago and a 5lb higher mark might not be insurmountable as the seven-year-old bids to follow up. Vice President, a winner over 1m2f on the last of his three starts for Aidan O'Brien, left Ballydoyle for a potentially bargain price of 30,000gns and is a notable danger on his first run for Richard Hughes. Spirit Mixer and Robert Johnson complete the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Charging Thunder 2nd Vice President 3rd Spirit Mixer

This is competitive and only a tentative vote can go to SHOUT, who made a mockery of an opening mark of 83 when recording a commanding victory at Doncaster's St Leger meeting. The son of Advertise, who has been gelded since, is 9lb higher but he should be even better now upped in trip and, with conditions to suit, he might be up to the task. Back In Black holds an Irish Guineas entry and merits respect along with Huscal, who returns in search of a hat-trick having won at Ripon and Thirsk last year.
Prediction : 1st Shout 2nd Back In Black 3rd Huscal

SIR LES PATTERSON returned with something to prove at Wolverhampton, but Harry Eustace's charge bounced back in no uncertain terms to record a comfortable success. He might be more effective on an artificial surface but he's only 1lb higher back on the grass, and the booking of Oisin Murphy catches the eye. Zoulu Chief didn't produce his best at Meydan in the early part of 2024, but ought to fare better returned to home soil for his comeback. Havana Pusey, who went desperately close on her reappearance at Doncaster, is also noted.
Prediction : 1st Sir Les Patterson 2nd Zoulu Chief 3rd Havana Pusey