The Spring Classic Trials get underway at Newbury races on Saturday, 12 April with the Fred Darling and Greenham Stakes. It’s fair to say they have been easier to assess in terms of contenders down the years.
As with any prep race for a major target, much of thinking punters must do is who needs the win now. Some use trials, a return to action for many, to bring their fitness on so it peaks for the 2000 and 1000 Guineas at the start of May.
Newbury races offers more than just this from four broadcast live on ITV, though. There is also the Group 3 John Porter Stakes over a mile-and-a-half for older horses that contain a few also rans from the 2024 Epsom Derby.
Flat handicap lovers also have the Spring Cup to figure out, so the card provides variety if nothing else. We turn to our experts, who look at the form and horse racing betting sites‘ odds in search of some value. They have their work cut out for them here, though.
It is still very early on in the Flat turf season, so horses that go well fresh or race-fit from the All-Weather or international campaigns catch their eye. Here are there thoughts on some tricky contests in Berkshire.
Newbury Races Preview for 12 April
1:25 – 1m 4f Group 3 John Porter Stakes
If SUNWAY reproduces his Irish Derby second or King George fourth from last summer, then he has the beating of those who contested Epsom. Using Los Angeles as a marker, there is no other logical interpretation you can put on it.
David Menuisier’s stable star had no difficulty in handling the faster ground around the Curragh or Ascot. Sunway, also promoted to third in the St Leger by Doncaster stewards, can cash in on a major ease in grade here.
There are stamina doubts about Bellum Justum getting this trip, but Ancient Wisdom demonstrated his staying power when landing the Bahrain Trophy in this grade last summer. Godolphin’s runner may thus reverse Epsom Derby placing with the King Power Racing horse.
The other four all have plenty to find on form and official figures with the top three in the betting. This really does look like a golden opportunity for Sunway to show what he can do under Oisin Murphy en route to bigger things down the line.
2:00 – 7f Group 3 Fred Darling Stakes (Fillies)
Although the best filly on juvenile form, Ollie Sangster’s charge needed two runs to hit top gear last term. Simmering has genuine Classic hopes for her connections, but it’s about how she gets on in the Guineas. Heavens Gate was next best at Royal Ascot and confirmed the form with re-opposing rival California Dreamer in a Curragh Group 3 over this trip.
Aidan O’Brien has other Classic contenders, so she must demonstrate she can do it away from home with overseas form figures of 3340. MOUNTAIN BREEZE was only fourth in the Albany, but arrives race-fit from runs in the Middle East. She could be the answer to a really tough race to call for Charlie Appleby.
She reversed Royal Ascot placings with Heavens Gate at the July Festival and got within a couple of lengths of Lake Victoria. Mountain Breeze has that fitness edge over her old rivals here, but the dangers don’t just come from the Albany. Time For Sandals shaped like she might get an extra furlong in the Lowther Stakes during the Ebor Festival.
Harry Eustace’s filly finished well ahead of Heavens Gate and Betty Clover on that occasion. Time For Sandals looks open to further progress, while once-raced Bright Times Ahead could be anything for Ralph Beckett. Good runs from course and distance winners Formal and Ellaria Sand, who admittedly wants softer going, can’t be ruled out either. Duty First ties in with the former.
2:35 – 7f Group 3 Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes
Al Qudra is not for stopping in the Pat Eddery Stakes at @Ascot, scoring for @WilliamBuickX, Charlie Appleby and @godolphin… pic.twitter.com/rmYIpbkHwF
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) July 27, 2024
Al Qudra came out and won the Pat Eddery Stakes when upped to this trip back at Ascot. He wasn’t disgraced when runner-up in the Summer Stakes around Woodbine in Canada either. After two runs in the UAE and Qatar, he’s just that bit sharper than his main market rivals.
While Rashabar boasts leading form claims with Group 1 seconds in France, the dangers come from lightly-raced types. The Gosden team saddle Chancellor, who franked Al Qudra’s form with a subsequent success, but he shouldn’t be a shorter price than Appleby’s runner he lacks a recent outing.
Balding stable new recruit Jonquil has a big reputation from his debut win, but couldn’t follow-up on it. Rogue Allegiance puts his credentials on the line after just one run for David O’Meara. Similar comments apply to Joseph O’Brien raider Saracen. Yah Mo Be There won a Listed race here after finishing well behind Rashabar and Al Qudra, meanwhile.
3:12 – 1m Class 2 Spring Cup Handicap
James McHenry won’t mind the Spring Cup switching from the straight mile to the round course either. He won round a bend at Carlisle on reappearance last term and went close in other assignments. Placed efforts at Hamilton, Thirsk, York and the Cambridgeshire give him strong form claims.
Metal Merchant, 6lb higher than when successful 12 months ago, rates a big threat, however. The form of his Spring Cup success has been franked this term already by the runner-up, Godwinson, landing the Lincoln at Doncaster. Jack Channon also saddles Urban Lion, fit from the All-Weather.
Silver Sword also arrives at Newbury races with a recent run under his belt. Pearl Eye picked up the Lincoln consolation race in the stewards’ room last month, meanwhile, and has 4lb more on his back. Richard Hannon pair Son and Classic are at opposite ends of the handicap, but have both gone well here in the past.
