Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Carlisle & Beverley Tips
SATURDAY RACING TIPS
Carlisle 1.30 – Class 2 Handicap
I’ll take Ghaiyya (13/2) here for Charlie Johnston and Saffie Osbourne.
This horse is stepping down in trip from Hamilton, which is a positive; she travelled well into the race before possibly not quite staying.
She clicked clear, looking like she was going to win but didn’t quite stay up the hill.
She’s a horse that is still progressing, she has returned this season in good form. And Saffie is absolutely flying.
She could be the first of a quick-fire double for Charlie Johnston.
Megan’s Tip: Ghaiyya WIN
Beverley 1.45 – Hull Handicap
Sir William (5/2 fav) is the second part of that double.
He is still relatively new to the yard but ran much better last time.
He’s still 4lbs above his last winning mark but I think this is less competitive than what he has been running in recently.
Cheek pieces are added for the first time and he is more straightforward than plenty in this field, who have got question marks.
Megan’s Tip: Sir William WIN
Carlisle 2.00 – Reverence Handicap
I was torn between two here.
Station X (13/2) I thought was a good each-way price seeing as he is well drawn, ground versatile and pretty consistent.
Kieran Shoemark is on board for the first time and I imagine he will be making plenty of that draw in stall two and the gate speed that he has.
The other selection I had was Wild Clary (11/2), who goes for the Hannon team.
He’s another who has been very consistent, has only won on the all-weather, but has been going close on the turf too. He was pretty unlucky last year behind Realign when they met at Haydock and he’s getting 10lbs off that rival.
Wild Clary could still be well-treated, has been unlucky on occasions and just about gets away with a draw of eight but if there is plenty of pace on, which there should be, that gives him a chance to run on.
Megan’s Tip: Station X WIN; Wild Clary E/W
Beverley 2.15 – Hilary Needler Trophy
It is hard to judge some of these with no experience at all but a couple that haven’t run were purchased for plenty of money.
Cosmic Mystery (15/8 fav) looks the most likely newcomer here.
She is well drawn for her debut in stall two. That is a great draw if you’re quick out – if you’re slow out it can be the worst draw of all because you can get boxed in and there is not a lot of luck at that sprint track at Beverley.
I do think she is probably the most talented in the field but she will have to jump sharply out of stall two.
Megan’s Tip: Cosmic Mystery WIN
Carlisle 2.33 – Achilles Stakes
I am going with Redorange (3/1 jt fav), who has fitness over a couple of these.
Starlust (3/1 jt fav) is ultimately the class angle but needed the run last year. Ralph Beckett’s horses have, as usual, needed the run and I think one or two are a bit behind.
He was the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner a couple of seasons ago but I think he will improve from this return.
Redorange is the fit, in-form runner here from Clive Cox’s yard, whose horses have been flying. I think this horse is an improving sprinter and the stiff five furlongs at Carlisle should suit with William Buick in the saddle.
Megan’s Tip: Redorange WIN
Beverley, 2.48 – Two Year Old Trophy
Matteo (11/4 fav) looks possibly the one to beat on form so far.
Kevin Ryan does particularly well with his two-year-old sprinters and has started plenty of decent ones at Beverley.
This horse wasn’t overly expensive but he has shown enough on debut to suggest he is ready to progress from the plum draw in stall one.
If he can be as sharp away as he was last time then he could be hard to catch.
He looks pretty straightforward and, in a race that has got plenty of form coming into it, his debut performance is probably the race that has worked out best of all.
The runner here that I think is overpriced is Clash of Hearts (17/2), who ran well on debut at York. He’s likely to be sharper and travel that bit better from the off and is the each-way angle if you’re looking at places.
Megan’s Tip: Matteo WIN; Clash of Hearts E/W
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
