Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Newcastle, York and the Curragh Tips
SATURDAY & SUNDAY RACING TIPS
Newcastle 2.10 – Chipchase Stakes
On the back of his win in the British Champions Sprint last season, Kind Of Blue (11/8 fav) is definitely the one to beat here.
He’s about as consistent as they come having only finished outside the placings twice from his eight starts. He does have to put a below-par first outing of the season behind him, though.
I think he’ll probably win but I’m going to take him on with Spycatcher (6/1), who was fifth in this race 12 months ago and the second the year before.
I thought he won the Cammidge Trophy at the start of the season a bit more decisively than the winning margin suggested, and the seven-furlong trip at Haydock last time probably stretched his stamina.
Back down to six furlongs at a track we know he goes well at, I can see him giving the favourite plenty to think about.
Megan’s Tip: Spycatcher EW
York 2.25 – Criterion Stakes
Lake Forest (11/8 fav) is very much the one to beat after his good fifth in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot. That’s top-class form and the drop back to seven furlongs should really suit.
His victory in the Golden Eagle in Australia looks very strong form now with the runner-up, Lazzat, winning the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.
My only concern with Lake Forest is the quick turnaround here as it’s likely he had a pretty hard race at Ascot, so with that in mind I’m going to play one each-way against him.
I’m pretty convinced Room Service (12/1) is a very good horse and I’m hoping he can prove it here.
He was last seen finishing fourth at Haydock where he didn’t really get the run of the race and had to come wind before flying home.
I’m a bit worried about the quick ground as most of his form is on a softer surface, but at that sort of price I’m willing to swing the bat to find out.
Megan’s Tip: Room Service EW
Newcastle 2.40 – Northumberland Vase
Caprelo (10/1) is the one I’ve come down on here.
I was quite taken by the way he weaved through the field at Kempton last time and I think he might still be quite well-treated under a five-pound penalty.
His trainer Hughie Morrison has never had a winner at Newcastle, but his charge could easily give him one on Saturday.
BetMGM are paying five places each-way on this race.
Megan’s Tip: Caprelo EW
York 3.00 – Dash Handicap
I’m all over Jm Jungle (10/3 fav) here.
Yes, he’s off a career-high mark of 101 but he seems to have taken his form to a whole new level this year and having watched his win at Epsom back, in my opinion, he won with a fair amount in hand.
His length-second over course and distance to American Affair reads incredibly well now with that rival rated 114 after his win in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot and if Jm Jungle is in anything like the same form here, he should be a very tough nut to crack.
Megan’s Tip: Jm Jungle WIN
Newcastle 3.15 – Northumberland Plate
It’s probably a tip in itself that Willie Mullins has chosen Pappano (6/1) as his sole entrant for the Northumberland Plate and I think he’s got very solid claims.
Granted, he was a no-show on his only start for Mullins in the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, but before that his third in the BetMGM Noel Murless Stakes at Ascot when trained by the Gosdens makes him very interesting off a mark of 96. That’s because the winner is now rated 105, the second is rated 95, having won a Listed race recently, while the fifth was far from disgraced in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.
I don’t see any issues with stamina and Jamie Spencer could prove a perfect booking.
Megan’s Tip: Pappano EW
Curragh 3.30 – Pretty Polly Stakes
I can’t see past Kalpana (11/10 fav) in the Pretty Polly.
She’s a filly I’ve always had a lot of time for ever since she won at Newmarket by 10 lengths last season. She’s progressed through the grades steadily and it was hard not to be impressed by what she did in the Grade One on Champions Day at the back end of the last campaign.
I don’t see any issues with her dropping back to 1m2f and she should have come on from her run in the Tattersalls Gold Cup last time. Anmaat hardly did the form any harm at Royal Ascot either.
Megan’s Tip: Kalpana WIN
Curragh 4.10, Sunday – Irish Derby
Tennessee Stud (4/1) can turn the tables on Lambourn (5/6 fav) in the Irish Derby on Sunday.
Make no mistake, Aidan O’Brien’s runner was very impressive at Epsom and Tennessee Stud has nearly five lengths to make up on him, but the winner and second Lazy Griff (11/1) were up with the pace from the off, which was clearly the place to be.
Tennessee Stud did by far the best of those coming from off the pace and I can see him getting much closer this time with a bit more of a positive ride.
I’m pretty sweet on his chances here.
Megan’s Tip: Tennessee Stud WIN
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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation