Hi all,

Inside today’s main piece I look ahead to the best of Saturday’s action.

Who knows how rain will have fallen overnight in Britain & Ireland. It’s going to be a tricky day of punting and given most of the runners have been declared on good ground we can expect a few non-shows.

The weather app I consult was forecasting as much as 14mm at Ripon Friday night which would, if it arrives, ease the ground.

It's sunny and pleasantly warm in my part of Yorkshire this morning as I'm writing this piece.

A tricky weather forecast combined with York’s four day Ebor Festival, starting on Wednesday, and some decent enough action on Sunday with another leg of the Sky Bet Sunday Series at Sandown and Group action at the Curragh, means I don’t feel the need to get stuck too heavily into Saturday’s action.

ITV4 are covering the best of the action from Newbury, Ripon, and Newmarket on a seven race programme. And its to the first named track and it’s two Group races that I’m looking at in today’s big race preview.

Saturday Preview

Newbury

1:50 – BetVictor Geoffrey Freer Stakes (Group 3) – 1m 5 ½ f

The early ante post favourite Kemari was back to winning ways in a Listed race at Newmarket last month but I’m not sure he will want the ground to ease too much. 

This could turn out to be a perfect opportunity for Arrest. An easy winner of the Chester Vase on soft ground in May before a disappointing favourite (4/1) in the Derby. The colt ran poorly on quick ground at Ascot last time. However, he’s been given a 57 day break to freshen up and a return to an easy surface and a galloping track like Newbury could see him back to form.

Jack Darcy was back to his best last time when a 4 length 2nd of 7 to Hamish in the Group 3 Glorious Stakes at Goodwood 15 days ago. He got a good front running ride that day, but it was still a clear personal best by the 4-year-old. He handled rain softened ground at Goodwood and can go well again.

3:35 – BetVictor Hungerford Stakes (Group 2) – 7f

The most valuable race run in Britain today. It doesn’t look the strongest of renewals of the race despite a 10 runner line-up.

Last year’s winner Jumby is back to retain his crown. He’s a got a great chance of doing so but his best form has come on good or quicker ground so any further ease in the ground would be a worry.

Chindit is top on official ratings and his 1 ½ length 2^nd of 12 to Modern Games in the Group 1 Locking Stakes here (1m) in May is the best form on offer. A former C&D winner he goes well here but like Jumby his best form has come on quicker ground. This looks a good opportunity for the 5-year-old to return to winning ways, but the forecast rain would concern me.

Pogo looked back to form when a 2 length 3rd of 6 in a Newmarket Group 3 last month. He’s hard horse to peg back if he gets an uncontested lead and although his best form has come quicker ground the 7-year-old has at least won on good to soft in the past.

Spanish challenger Rodaballo might have needed the run, after a 5 month lay off when a 2 ½ length 6^th of 9 at Ascot three weeks ago. He’s got a bit to find on Official Ratings with the likes of Chindit, Jumby & Pogo but at the last he has winning form on soft ground. If the rain has arrived he could go well at big odds.

Saturday Selection:

Today is the day that Arrest has to deliver as he's got everything in his favour. Jack Darcy looks the value alternative and can hit the frame.

In the feature race I can see Rodaballo outrunning his odds. However, if it continues to dry out then Chindit should win.

Newbury

1:50 – Jack Darcy – 9/1 @ Coral.

Good luck with your Saturday bets.

John