The Wine Tipster: “Mutasaabeq (nap) is on a strong upward curve, you can expect a big run from him”

A cracking Saturday of racing to look forward to featuring the Al Shaqab Group 1 Lockinge Stakes, which has strength in depth in the 13-runner field, with plenty of space assured. Earlier, Yibir Unibet 11/8 makes his first appearance since the July Festival last year and if primed he should take the Group 3 Al Rayyan Stakes.

In a typically competitive London Gold Cup Heritage Handicap Royal Rhyme has a strong chance, however I struggled to find an each way angle here at a bigger price and this is a theme across the key races at both Newbury and Newmarket, where I’m looking forward to seeing both Acotango and Washington Heights in action.

Enjoy whether at a racecourse or watching #athome on ITV Racing or Racing TV.

Cheers!

The Wine Tipster

2.05 Newmarket – Aspall Cyder 1728 Handicap (1m)

Acotango improved throughout last year and came back to run a cracker on reappearance, improving again to finish a length second at Haydock over a mile last month. That form couldn’t be working out much better, with the winner, third (Royal Rhyme see 3.00 Newbury) and sixth all going in again on their next starts, and the handicapper looks to have let him in lightly by only raising him 3lb. Acotango is a totally genuine type, who races enthusiastically and is going to be hard to beat if stepping again.

Unibet are paying MONEY BACK AS CASH if your pick finishes 2nd or 3rd in this race!

2.40 Newmarket – Aspall Suffolk Draught Cyder Handicap (6f)

Washington Heights had some classy form at two, his third in the Redcar 2yo Trophy to Cold Case has already working out well this season. He showed he’d trained on when second to Shaquille on ground plenty soft enough for him at Newmarket at their Guineas Festival and he looks sure to come on for that. For Washington Heights, a return to quicker ground is a positive and he has a big chance of hitting the frame and no surprise if he took another step forward.

Unibet are paying an EXTRA PLACE in this race!

3.00 Newbury – London Gold Cup Heritage Handicap (1m 2f)

Royal Rhyme showed that the step up to this trip at Newmarket was key as he powered away in the closing stages to win by five lengths and looked like he’d get further. The second home Rathgar upheld that form with a battling third at York on Thursday and the form looks strong. The question is whether he will be able to reproduce that form on quicker but plenty from the family actually wanted fast ground, and there’s a chance he’ll be even better for it.

Unibet are paying an EXTRA PLACE in this race!

3.35 Newbury – Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes Group 1 (1m)

Mutasaabeq (nap) deserves his place in the Lockinge after carrying a penalty at Newmarket in a Group 2 to beat Native Trail and Light Infantry at the Guiness Festival. He has always been held in high regard by Charlie Hills and Mutasaabeq is on a strong upward curve, which he started to show at the end of last season. Mutasaabeq won’t have it so easy in front in the Lockinge, however these tactics clearly suit him, and you can expect a big run on his first appearance at Newbury.

Unibet are paying an EXTRA PLACE in this race!

Light Infantry is a genuine Group 1 performer, as he showed when second last season at Deauville to Tenebrism and then at the same course runner-up to Inspiral beaten a neck. In retrospect Light Infantry clearly needed the reappearance at Newmarket when Mutasaabeq (reopposes) dictated from the front. Light Infantry will like these quick conditions and be right in the mix here.

4.45 Newbury – Haras De Bouquetot Fillies’ Trial Stakes Listed (1m 2f)

Polly Pott who won the May Hill Stakes at Doncaster last season faded out of contention early on in the 1,000 Guineas after not looking fully fit in the parade ring at Newmarket. She will be much sharper for this appearance and the step up in distance looks sure to suit Polly Pott, who has an Oaks entry.