Megan Nicholls Racing Tips – Newmarket July Meeting Day 2
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, casts her eye over Friday’s meeting at Newmarket.
NEWMARKET JULY FESTIVAL DAY 2 RACING TIPS
Newmarket 1.50 – Oddschecker Handicap
Heraldry (10/3) stayed on behind Decade Of Time (11/2) at Windsor last time and that form has been boosted.
Heraldry hasn’t run since, is nicely weighted and nicely handicapped on his handicap debut here.
A step up in trip and a more galloping track will suit him. He actually made up quite a lot of ground from a tricky position at Windsor and was a bit of an eye-catcher when closing that day.
The extra distance and change of track will really suit. Heraldry looks to be the one with the most wiggle room off of his handicap mark, too.
Megan’s Tip: Heraldry WIN
Newmarket 2.25 – Duchess of Cambridge Stakes
Libertango (8/13 fav) is two from two and was very impressive in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot last month – that form has been boosted.
She was a touch slow away on both of her starts but has shown a great turn of foot and travels through races really well. I think she looks pretty special for the Boughey team.
Her biggest danger may be Senorita Bonita (5/2), who was caught in the Queen Mary but won on debut at Nottingham before that despite plenty going wrong.
On that occasion she looked as if she would stay the six furlongs pretty well. They did have the option of the five or six furlongs at the Royal Meeting and went minimum trip with the Queen Mary.
She steps up here and, if she sees out the trip, she would be Libertango’s biggest threat.
There are a few nice fillies in this and it’s always nice to bring the form together and work out who the leading two-year-olds are – I think Libertango is going to be at the top.
Megan’s Tip: Libertango WIN
Newmarket 3.00 – Heritage Handicap
Wine Dark Sea (10/11 fav) looks a massively improved horse.
He’s got a 6lbs penalty from the Cumberland Plate win at Carlisle at the end of June – but it’s not a quick turnaround because this race was an early closer so that’s a couple of weeks he’s had to prep for this.
It’s actually still 11lbs well in after he won by 13 lengths at Carlisle, quite literally with his ears pricked.
It doesn’t look like the step up in distance will be any issue at all so he’s effectively very well weighted for this and is going to have to step up in grade once again afterwards. He’s going to be running off a much higher mark.
So this is potentially very well placed here by Harry Charlton. He’s a horse who travels well, doesn’t look overly complicated and I imagine Lewis Edmunds will just look to get a little bit of cover before asking him to go through the gears as he hits the rising ground at the July track.
There are plenty in here exposed and off tough marks but this horse is the big improver – only a four-year-old but he’s going places.
Megan’s Tip: Wine Dark Sea WIN
Newmarket 3.35 – Falmouth Stakes
It’s hard to look away from Precise (8/11 fav) who is six from eight overall.
She was very good in the Coronation Cup despite an awkward start – which can be her downfall, she can be a bit awkward out the gate.
But with the way she cruises through the race and quickens up those awkward starts don’t seem to be getting the better of her at the moment. She looks pretty smart.
I think her biggest threat will be Blue Bolt (3/1), who tries Group 1 again having been second in the BetMGM Sun Chariot Stakes last season.
She won the Duke of Cambridge at Royal Ascot very nicely; she’s not dissimilar to Precise in that she stays the mile extremely well but has a high cruising speed, enjoys the fast ground and conditions.
Officially on ratings they’re the same but Blue Bolt has to give away 9lbs away to Precise – but I do think she’s the main danger.
If you’re looking for a slightly bigger price, the improver is without a doubt Balantina (5/1), who won the Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar the back end of last season.
We didn’t see her for a while and she made her return in the Coronation where she ran a nice race to a point until getting tired. She’s also closed in a lot since declarations so there must be plenty of positive signs about her training.
There’s only seven runners, so a forecast could also be good value in this one.
Megan’s Tip: Precise WIN; Balantina E/W
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
