Punters Panel: Weekend horse racing betting advice from our experts
Another busy weekend of racing is on the horizon, with Newcastle taking centre stage on Saturday with their Northumberland Plate meeting.
We've assembled five racing brains to help mark your card by answering six key questions ahead of the action.
Introducing the Odds Now Horse Racing Punters Panel
Before we get stuck in, here’s a little bit more on the four men answering our key questions this week:
SD - The self-proclaimed ‘star of the show’ on Races Now, who has been going viral with his daily tips and betting ring analysis in recent weeks.
Adam Smith - A betting industry veteran, flat lover and one half of our Races Now double act.
Harry Fowler - One of Odds Now’s regular racing contributors, currently working in the industry.
Lee Jones - Racing trader at a leading bookmaker and well-respected judge in betting circles.
Dale Nicholls - Long-term friend of Races Now and all-weather lover.
Now, onto the good stuff...
Who wins Newcastle's favourite race, the Northumberland Plate?
SD - It’s not a vintage renewal by any means. Imperial Sovereign is a huge price, but some of his 3yo form was pretty good. The reappearance run was fair. After events at Newmarket last autumn, Jamie Powell will want to win a big one and Tribal Star, unlucky on Good Friday, also appeals.
AS - Two-mile handicaps aren't my type of party but it looks like the upwardly mobile James Owen has a strong hand of three contenders. Shajak is the biggest price of the trio but could be interesting on his first run since leaving the Gordon Elliot stable.
HF - Golden Rules was second in this race last year off four pounds higher. Taking a similar route this season, he admittedly ran a better race in prep before running here last year but it has resulted in being lower in the weights.
LJ - I really like Dancing In Paris. He has been targeted at this race and still unexposed over 2m.
DN - Proven form in this race, an appealable mark, a fair pilot on board, and a juicy price on offer. Spirit Mixer 25/1 is more than a percentage play.
Does anything else take your eye on the Newcastle card?
SD - Yes. Telemark, if ridden more tractably in the 3.45pm, should go very well.
AS - Alyanaabi (2:10pm) is really interesting back down to six furlongs. Ran too bad to be true last time – put a line through that as he's usually classy and consistent. A good each-way betting race with questions over the short price favourite Kind Of Blue.
HF - I, like many of my Races Now colleagues, was on Godsend for the Northumberland Plate at 33/1, so I am going to follow him in the Vase (2.40pm).
LJ - Rare Change looks really well treated in the 3:45pm and with strong pace looking guaranteed, he can pick them up close home.
DN - Kind Of Blue is very short in the Chipchase Stakes (2:10pm). I’d be willing to give Annaf a chance at 14/1. Tried Group One company last week at the Royal meeting and has been behind some of these in its runs beforehand but never beaten far, and is in receipt of quite a few pounds since those runs. I'll try her against the red hot Wathnan team here.
York also race on Saturday. Can you pick us anything out from there?
SD - No. The meeting should be run on the July course.
AS - Azure Angel (3:00) broke the track record at Redcar last week despite being eased down and a six pound rise might not be enough to stop her going in again. Five furlongs looks the key to her and Ed Bethell's hot form could well continue on multiple fronts this weekend.
HF - Formal in the 2:25pm, who put in a very good display at Epsom last time and the third has since won impressively. I think she has a lot more to give.
LJ - I really fancy Azure Angel in the 3:00pm. They have finally found the key to her which is five furlongs and she could keep on progressing all the way to Group races.
DN - It’s a track that hasn’t served me well the past 12 months, so I have a reluctance to part with my pennies here. Formal was very impressive at Epsom a few weeks back and could follow up in the Criterion Stakes but this is a hot race on paper. So I am looking for bigger than the current 5/2 on offer as I’d want an each-way angle in to the race. Therefore, Lethal Levi looks a sound alternative at 9/1 after a big recent run in Ireland.
Who is your idea of the Irish Derby winner on Sunday afternoon?
SD - No idea – it will come down to tactics.
AS - It's the typical, 'I want to take on the Aidan O'Brien fav but what with?' type of race. Green Impact or Pride Of Arras might provide the toughest challenge to Lambourn but it's a no bet race – particularly with Ballydoyle tactics at play on home turf.
HF - I have backed Green Impact. I think that it is worth going against the Epsom derby form as a lot of fancied horses didn’t perform. I wouldn’t be rushing to take 4/5 about Lambourn, put it that way.
LJ - I'm not going to go with who wins but I think Lambourn at 4/5 is definitely a lay. I have big doubts that he is that far clear of his rivals and on quicker ground he he has to be laid at that price.
DN - Lambourn more than likely will follow up but Lazy Griff without the favourite will be my play, depending on prices with Denise, paying each way 3 places.
It was an epic five days of racing but what was your highlight of this year's Royal Ascot?
SD - Hexham on Sunday when it was all over.
AS - Luke Harvey in a pool was good. Personal highlights were tipping Cercene at 40/1 and American Affair at 18/1. Field Of Gold was excellent. Trawlerman was really good. My Cloud made a Hunt Cup look easy. Handicap winner Merchant could win the St Leger. A cracking week as usual.
HF - I think Field Of Gold and Trawlerman are obvious picks as they were great moments. I personally really enjoyed Humidity winning the Chesham. Put up in this very Punters Panel last week and as I said I’ve had a lot of faith in that Newbury maiden that he won.
LJ - From personal financial point of view it was Merchant winning the King George V Handicap. I think it was the best non-Group One performance of the week.
DN - It has to be American Affair. To see a horse progress from Class Six to a Group One winner is simply sensational. You wouldn’t be a true punter if Paul Mulrennan hasn’t frustrated you over the years but this was a brilliant ride. It went under the radar of course, being on day one, and with Field Of Gold stealing the headlines. Well done to the Races Now chaps for putting American Affair up too.
Who rates as your best ante post bet at the moment?
SD - I am playing Rosallion in various each way doubles for the Sussex Stakes as I think the race was made for him. I just don’t want rain.
AS - Nothing that I've had my hard earned on yet. I'd be bang interested in Desert Flower at 9/2 if she was an inteded runner in the Falmouth. I am actually half surprised that Albert Einstein isn't shorter than 8/1 for the 2,000 Guineas next May, given how connections have spoken about him. Not saying he should be shorter than 8/1, by the way – absolutely not. Just surprised he isn't.
HF - In the Bunbury Cup, Ten Pounds is a standout 25/1 with SkyBet after a good third in the Wokingham. Running two pounds well in on the handicap, I think that’s a very good price.
LJ - Merchant for the St Leger as he looks to be definitely going for it after the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood.
DN - I have been cautious on ante post markets this year. Mind you, Notable Speech had a horrible trip through in the Queen Anne and makes appeal in the Sussex Stakes at quotes of 12/1. He would’ve been a lot closer to the top two given a clearer passage and therefore likely half the quoted price.