Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Newmarket, York & Ascot Tips

SATURDAY RACING TIPS

Newmarket 2.12 – Fillies’ Handicap

Royal Velvet (7/1) goes really well at Newmarket and has only gone up a pound for a good run at the July course last time when a close third.

He goes on the quick ground and I still think he can be competitive off this sort of mark with William Buick in the saddle.

Megan’s Tip: Royal Velvet EW

Ascot 2.22 – Summer Mile

This looks a cracker and the one I’ve come down on is Never So Brave (11/4 fav).

He looks a big improver to me and it was hard not to be impressed by the way he won what looked like a very competitive handicap at Royal Ascot.

I know his previous connections always thought he was a pretty talented horse and the step up to a mile should be no issue, so I expect him to go very close.

Haatem (3/1) is very consistent but I just wonder if the drop back to a mile might just catch him out.

Megan’s Tip: Never So Brave WIN

York 2.35 – City Walls Stakes

I expect Jm Jungle (7/2) to go very well here.

He loves York and has turned into a very consistent sprinter. He might be a five-year-old but he seems to have improved with age and, while he now tries his hand in Listed company, I don’t think that’s a bad thing as he’s been carrying plenty of weight in handicaps.

Megan’s Tip: Jm Jungle WIN

Newmarket 2.50 – Bunbury Cup

He’s becoming an incredibly short price for a handicap as competitive as this but I do think it’s very hard to see More Thunder (11/8 fav) getting beaten.

He was outpaced at Royal Ascot last time over six furlongs and absolutely flew home to only be beaten a head.

Moving up to seven furlongs looks ideal and I can see the race setting up pretty well for him with plenty of pace on.

As an each-way alternative, I’m going to throw in Myal (12/1). He finished fourth in the Buckingham Palace last time and is a horse who rarely fails to give his running.

He likes fast ground and off an unchanged mark, I can see him running into a place again.

Megan’s Tip: More Thunder WIN; Myal EW

York 3.10 – John Smith’s Cup

This is always fiercely competitive so it’s unsurprising that BetMGM is paying five places each-way.

I’ll be backing Hand Of God (SP) for Harry Charlton.

This horse had a bit of a setback after his return at Newmarket and it was all a bit of a rush to get him to Royal Ascot for the Duke of Edinburgh.

He wasn’t actually beaten that far and just got a bit tired towards the finish, which connections thought might happen.

If he can step forward and improve from that I think he’s got a massive chance – this is a very talented horse who still looks feasibly treated.

Megan’s Tip: Hand Of God EW

Ascot 3.30 – Fillies’ Handicap

I fancy the chances of Orange Sky (SP) in this for George Boughey.

She’s a lightly raced filly who bolted up at Newmarket last time on her first try over the mile and while she got an eight-pound rise for the win, connections have put Jack Callan on board.

He takes off seven pounds, so she’s effectively only a pound higher in the weights. I have a feeling this is a filly we’ll see running in much better races at the end of the season.

Megan’s Tip: Orange Sky WIN

Newmarket 4.35 – July Cup

I found the top of the market almost impossible to work out, so I’m going to play one at a bigger price.

My each-way selection is going to be Night Raider (20/1).

He wasn’t beaten that far in the King Charles last time and he ran well prior to that in the Duke of York, so has some pretty handy form.

He can be a bit keen so, if Sam James can get some cover, I can see him outrunning his odds on ground that will be right up his street.

Megan’s Tip: Night Raider EW

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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation