Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Newmarket Tips
FRIDAY RACING TIPS
Newmarket 1.15 – Rosemary Stakes
I fancy Never Let Go (9/2), who ran nicely last time at Haydock having won the Sandringham at Royal Ascot prior to that.
She could still be improving and jockey bookings suggest she’s the stable’s number one. In what looks a very open race, I can see her going well again.
Megan’s Tip: Never Let Go WIN
Newmarket 1.50 – Princess Royal Stakes
Understudy (12/1) is the one I like here.
Spirited Style (11/8 fav) could easily be the best of these and although she was disappointing in the German Oaks, connections clearly hold her in high regard.
However, Understudy is a useful filly in her own right and ran a cracker at a big price in the Ribblesdale.
She ran more than respectably when fourth at Deauville last time and I’m hoping she’s got a bit more to give at this level.
Megan’s Tip: Understudy EW
Newmarket 2.25 – Rockfel Stakes
Touleen (11/8 fav) looks a very smart filly and it’s hard not to have been impressed by her on both her starts so far, particularly at Leicester last time.
She beat Zanthos (3/1) there, who looked very promising when winning a maiden at Newmarket the time before, so to beat her in the manner that she did suggests Touleen could be pretty special.
The way she goes through her races suggests that she’s more than ready for this step up in grade and I expect her to take all the beating.
Megan’s Tip: Touleen WIN
Newmarket 3.00 – Joel Stakes
I absolutely love Opera Ballo (4/5 fav).
He’s a pretty quirky individual but has bundles of talent and, since the hood has been applied, he’s taken his form to a whole new level.
He’s bolted up on his last two starts and William Buick seems to know the best way to ride him now.
You’d like to think there’s still scope for more improvement and I can see why he’s a well-fancied favourite.
Zeus Olympios (2/1) is clearly the one who could serve it up to him given he’s unbeaten and unexposed having only three times.
He pulled away nicely at Haydock last time and is clearly talented, so has to go down in the ‘could be anything’ category, but I think Opera Ballo just might have the class edge.
Megan’s Tip: Opera Ballo WIN
Newmarket 3.35 – Godolphin Stakes
This is a really tricky race to unpick with several in here having been off the track for quite some time so it’s hard to know where they are fitness-wise.
Isle Of Jura (4/1) hasn’t run since winning last year’s Hardwicke at Royal Ascot but he does look the class angle in the lineup.
The form of that win has been boosted several times and he would be the speculative pick at this stage.
In all honesty, I’d like to see them in the paddock before nailing my colours to the mast just to see where they are fitness-wise.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation
