Megan Nicholls Racing Tips – Lockinge Stakes Day at Newbury

BetMGM ambassador Megan Nicholls offers her insight into the world of horse racing as she brings her first-rate knowledge exclusively to our blog every week.

In this entry the former jockey, who rode more than 110 winners before turning her hand to television punditry, assesses Lockinge Stakes Day at Newbury on Saturday.

Saturday Racing Tips

Newbury 1.50 – Aston Park Stakes

I think Desert Hero (5/4) will take all the beating.

He ran a huge race on return in the Gordon Richards Stakes at a trip we know is too short. The gelding looked to have really helped him in the prelims. He was a lot more relaxed and less sweaty than we’d seen him last year, most notably in the St Leger Stakes.

I just think another year on his back, plus the gelding operation, is a real positive for him. He’s ultimately got the stand-out form. Up to a mile-and-a-half in distance will help. I think he will be pretty hard to beat.

It’s not the biggest field and it’s fairly tight in behind for the places but I am looking forward to seeing Middle Earth (7/2) back on the track, who was certainly an improver last year.

He wouldn’t want any rain but he is a talented horse in his own right.

Megan’s Tip: Desert Hero WIN

Newbury 2.25 – Carnarvon Stakes

I think this is one of the most competitive races of the day and a really hot sprint for the three-year-olds.

Pocklington (13/2) is from a useful sprinting family and makes his turf debut. He is very interesting up in grade after a big performance at Newcastle on his second start. He’s two from two so far, so that makes him doubly so.

Adaay In Devon (7/1) is so consistent and forever improving. You cannot knock her for what she’s done and her attitude. She ran very well in the Commonwealth Cup Trial at Ascot last time. I think she goes very well again into the placings.

I’m very much looking forward to seeing Elite Status (15/2). He was a big gorgeous two-year-old and has shown plenty of talent. He was a bit disappointing at the very top level when finishing behind Vandeek a couple of times but I think he will be a better three-year-old and he’s going to be my each-way horse for this race.

He’s drawn slightly high but many of the fancied runners are drawn middle-to-low so I am not too worried about stall two. I think he has a massive chance.

Relief Rally (7/2 fav) is the obvious back to the six furlongs. She ran very well for a long way in the Fred Darling Stakes; she was looking like she was just a non-stayer in the final half-furlong but she’s very talented as a two-year-old and she showed that she’s definitely trained on. It’s just the trip that caught her out.

I think Relief Rally will be hard to beat but I’m putting Elite Status as my each-way challenger.

Megan’s Tip: Relief Rally WIN, Elite Status EW

Newbury 3.00 – London Gold Cup

I am going with King’s Gambit (4/1 fav) who steps up in trip here.

He’s a horse I really liked last year and he was unlucky not to win at Newbury on his final start when a loose horse interfered – but it worked out to be pretty good form given that he was in behind Bracken’s Laugh.

This is his handicap debut. It’s a pretty high mark of 93 but Harry Charlton’s yard has started really well. I think there’s lots to come from this horse and I think he’s unexposed compared to a couple of others in the field.

At a bigger price, I was looking at Persica (15/2), who also steps up in trip for this. He obviously ran very well at Kempton behind the 2000 Guineas winner Notable Speech and I think, physically, he looks like a horse that will improve for a bit further.

I really like him as a type in that he’s beautiful and physical – potentially there’s more to come from him. He’s a bit of an each-way player if he doesn’t shorten up too much.

Megan’s Tip: King’s Gambit WIN, Persica EW

Newbury 3.35 – Lockinge Stakes

I am going for Inspiral (2/1 joint fav) in the Lockinge Stakes though, if the ground was much softer, I would be more tempted by Big Rock (2/1 joint fav).

They have met before, with Inspiral getting the better of Big Rock at Deauville.

It looks as though the weather has changed and we are not getting as much rain as we were potentially due. Good-to-soft is perfectly fine for Inspiral but if it went very testing it would be unlikely she would run.

I’m also a big fan of Charyn (4/1) but again I'd be more keen on his chances if it was very testing so I think, with the ground as it is, Inspiral is the one for me. She’s won on her return before, so running fresh is not a problem.

She’s a very talented mare and I would love to see her win for jockey Kieran Shoemark as well.

Megan’s Tip: Inspiral

Browse all our horse racing markets here

Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change