Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Newmarket & Chepstow Tips
Newmarket 13.50 – Oh So Sharp Stakes (Group 3)
Chasing Daylight (13/2) was impressive on debut at Great Yarmouth. She won with ease and looked very professional.
And I’ve noticed Callum Rodriguez is riding for Ed Ware. That’s a pretty successful partnership. He’s got a few horses with the likes of Owen Burrows – who Callum rides plenty for – and he pairs up with Chasing Daylight here with David Simcock as the trainer.
So it’s a noticeable jockey booking; he retains the ride and I think that she could be pretty smart.
Each-way I’m going to go with Topaz (16/1). She’s been very consistent and, if she stays the new trip of seven furlongs, she could run better than her price suggests.
Megan’s Tip: Chasing Daylight WIN & Topaz E/W
Newmarket 14.25 – Challenge Stakes (Group 2)
It’s hard to look away from Flora Of Bermuda (13/8 fav). She’s just a great mare and a winner on multiple occasions.
She wasn’t disgraced when finishing second in Doncaster last time behind More Thunder. The seven furlongs is just about fine and she’s got form at Newmarket.
There’s plenty to like about her chances once again and she holds the superior form in this field.
Megan’s Tip: Flora Of Bermuda WIN
Newmarket 14.57 – Fillies' Mile (Group 1)
Musical Times (1/2 fav) is a short-priced favourite for a Group 1 – but she is unbeaten in three starts and has been so impressive.
The May Hill Stakes last time, when she won by seven lengths, was an absolute romp.
She’s just got a lot of class and a straightforward, likeable way of going. She just looks like she could be pretty special.
It will be interesting to see if she can translate that form now up in grade further, but with what she’s done so far, is the one that warrants the most respect.
Each-way I’m going to put up Lex Victoria (10/1). Two from two so far, she was an expensive purchase from the breeze-up sales.
She’s done nothing wrong, was impressive at Kempton last time, deserves to take a step up in grade and she could be overpriced.
Lex Victoria is also an exciting daughter of Sioux Nation – a sire who’s just been excelling, especially with his fillies.
Megan’s Tip: Musical Times WIN & Lex Victoria E/W
Chepstow 15.12 – 'Welsh Champion' Hurdle (GBB Race)
Over at Chepstow we’ve got the start, if you like, of the proper jump season.
Captain Hugo (16/5) in the Welsh Champion Hurdle looks the worthy challenger. He was versatile in terms of ground – a horse with plenty of tactical speed and the winner of the Morebattle Hurdle in February.
And I think a horse with a bit of experience in a race like this, sort of hardened up in a big field, is no harm.
My each-way selection is Filibustering (20/1), who’s had a great summer.
He ran last time, with respect, in what ended up being a pretty messy race. If he has a smoother time of things this time round – which I think he will with a nice even gallop set – he can outrun his odds.
Megan’s Tip: Captain Hugo WIN & Filibustering E/W
Chepstow 15.43 – Persian War Novices' Hurdle (GBB Race)
Lord Byron (2/1) has had a warm-up on the flat at Carlisle.
A couple of weeks ago he was well beaten but ran OK and was clearly a bit rusty – a bit slow away and looked as if he took a blow and needed the run, but that should set him straight for this occasion.
His hurdle form is by far the strongest in this field. Only beaten ahead in the Champion Novice at Punchestown on his final hurdle start by King Rasko Grey. Prior to that, he was running well at the big festivals.
Lord Byron’s clearly a horse with a bundle of talent and, if that recent Flat return has got him spot on, he will be hard to beat.
The horse that could serve it up to him is Dan Skelton’s North Shore (4/1) – running for the stable for the first time. He was a horse that had some OK form over in Ireland with Gavin Cromwell.
He was a little bit in and out but is a nice type who is an interesting switch over and could run nicely.
He’s got a bit to find at the official ratings but is the type that could improve with another season on his back.
Megan’s Tip: Lord Byron WIN
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
