Newbury Racecourse will enjoy eight competitive Flat races today as it hosts its Summer Raceday.
Gates open at midday, with tickets still available from just £24 at newburyracecourse.co.uk
Racing gets underway at 1:45 with a class five amateur jockeys’ handicap, with ten runners due to line up for this 1m2f race.
Expert Witness is a highly rated horse, second last time out and due to improve. Albus Anne looked good in a third at Chepstow when returning from a six month absence and should enjoy the step up in trip.
Race two is one of great interest, with eleven going forward for the Novice Stakes at 2:20.
The Godolphin yard will send out Anno Domini, a half a million pound purchase ridden by William Buick and making his debut at the track. Richard Hannon’s Wild Clary is also fancied to improve, finishing tenth here on debut less than a month ago.
The 2:50 is a class five handicap featuring eleven runners, with Born A Rebel backed to improve on his second at Leicester last time out.
3:25 sees division two of the same contest, as William Haggas’ Global Asset looks to improve on a second place handicap debut at Windsor last month.
At 4:00, Kieran Shoemark begins his preparation for Royal Ascot, riding Uplift for the Gosdens in a one kile novice stakes for a shot at £20,000.
Having replaced Frankie Dettori last year as Team Gosden’s top jockey, Shoemark told BoyleSports - Royal Ascot Odds how: “It is one of the biggest jobs in racing.”
“John and Thady were champion trainers last year. It is a huge opportunity and one I am going to grab with both hands.
“I look forward to what is to come. It is fair to say it has been a little bit of a steady start, but we are still early into the season and hopefully we have some nice horses to appear very soon.”
He’ll ride Uplift, who is set to improve and holds decent claims. He’s joined by Clove Hitch, a course and distance third for Andrew Balding who is well liked.
Race six at 4:30 sees Pearle D’or fancied as favourite, a course and distance winner trained by David O’Meara.
The seventh at 5:05 will see Whenthedealinsdone favoured, again ridden by Shoemark for the Gosdens and has been progressing well.
To end the day, a 1m4f handicap at 5:40 will see Aulis fancied. A lightly-raced maiden who finished a promising third in a Salisbury handicap and has dropped weight for this race.
Newbury selections - Thursday - Courtesy of BoyleSports, Royal Ascot odds
1.45 - Expert Witness
2.20 - Anno Domini
2.50 - Born A Rebel
3.25 - Global Asset
4.00 - Uplift
4.30 - Pearle D’or
5.05 - Whenthedealinsdone
5.40 - Aulis
