UK Horse Racing Tips: Newmarket

With the Charlie Appleby horses ticking along nicely, it would be folly to ignore the chances of Al Misbar, who is still a maiden after four starts but sports first-time cheekpieces on his second start since being gelded. Race-fitness may be key, though, and that points to the Charlie Hills-trained DOUBLE RUSH, a four-length maiden winner at Wolverhampton after being backed into odds-on favouritism. He can hopefully go on from there, with The Dragon King and Belgrave a couple of others for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Double Rush 2nd Al Misbar 3rd The Dragon King

A large field of unraced three-year-olds and a race that often throws up a decent sort or two. Invariably won by a top Newmarket stable, the Gosdens have won two of the last four runnings and have chances again this year with ALTAREQ and Caughtredhanded, the first-named a Frankel colt who looks the part on pedigree and may be the one to beat. Spy Kingdom is another who looks interesting as a son of Kitten's Joy and with Oisin Murphy in the saddle, as do Sea The Stars colt Muhaajim and perhaps Hard Endeavor for Jane Chapple-Hyam.
Prediction : 1st Altareq 2nd Spy Kingdom 3rd Muhaajim

Run To Freedom is one to consider having competed at the top level in 2023 but with just the one start since, when well beaten in this race last year, he may be best watched. Royal Zabeel is tempting with three wins from his last four starts on the all-weather, but ROMANTIC STYLE looks the one to beat. After failing to see out the mile in the Cape Verdi at Meydan, she made amends with an easy victory there over this trip and a repeat of that performance might be all she needs.
Prediction : 1st Romantic Style 2nd Royal Zabeel 3rd Run To Freedom

Charlie Appleby has taken two of the last four renewals of this contest and has a pair of contenders this time around, with William Buick opting for AOMORI CITY instead of the unbeaten Opera Ballo. The son of Oasis Dream produced the best effort of his career when signing off his campaign with third in the Juvenile Turf at Del Mar in November. Provided he has wintered well, it would be no surprise to see him score. Wimbledon Hawkeye took the Royal Lodge over C&D last year and is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Aomori City 2nd Wimbledon Hawkeye 3rd Opera Ballo

Seren Star cost 88,000 euros and is related to plenty of winners, including Group 3 scorer Circumvent, and it will be interesting if the market speaks in her favour. However, STELLENBOSCH looks the one to be on. Richard Hannon's filly has shown plenty of ability when third on both of her starts to date and she can build on that under Ryan Moore. Blazing Spirit could take a step forward from her fourth at Southwell and also needs to be considered.
Prediction : 1st Stellenbosch 2nd Seren Star 3rd Blazing Spirit

The Andrew Balding yard has hit top form and his SPANISH VOICE can get off the mark following a highly promising third on debut at Kempton in December. He is bred to improve for the rise from a mile and may have too much for Valedictory, who arrives with similar claims after outrunning his odds to finish a close-up third at Doncaster's Leger meeting. Chess Dad and Push The Limit have 7lb penalties to carry for victories on the all-weather, which will make life much tougher.
Prediction : 1st Spanish Voice 2nd Valedictory 3rd Push The Limit

A taking winner on the July Course here last summer, FIFTY NIFTY struck on debut at Yarmouth as well, which bodes well for his return to action. With conditions in his favour once more, a mark of 93 could still underestimate Tom Clover's charge, and it may be that recent Pontefract winner Fahrenheit Seven gives him the most to think about now back at 7f. Miss Information is another to consider, as is Stanage, who has been raised just 3lb for a determined success at Doncaster.
Prediction : 1st Fifty Nifty 2nd Fahrenheit Seven 3rd Miss Information