Harry Wilson’s Selections for Newcastle and York
Harry Wilson has offered his selections for the eight races scheduled to be broadcast live on ITV from Newcastle and York this Saturday. His tips cover various handicaps and stakes races across both venues.
For the 1.40 Newcastle, the Education Network Handicap over 7f, Wilson’s pick is Bobby Bennu. This horse showed promise on its return from a 224-day break at Chester, finishing fourth after being dropped in from a wide draw. The return to an all-weather surface is expected to be favourable, as its career-best Racing Post Rating was achieved in this sphere. Bobby Bennu is also considered well-treated, carrying a mark 2lb below its last winning one.
In the 1.55 York, the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Mile Handicap over 1m, Wilson has selected Frankies Dream. This horse has drawn attention in its last three outings, particularly with a career-best RPR of 91 when narrowly defeated by half a length in a 1m1f handicap at York a fortnight ago. Its record at York stands at 512, and a 2lb rise to a mark of 83 is seen as manageable.
The 2.10 Newcastle features the Jenningsbet Chipchase Stakes (Group 3) over 6f, where Wilson’s tip is Wiltshire. Following wind surgery, Wiltshire secured a comfortable victory in a 6f handicap at Newcastle in April, improving its course and distance record under Cieren Fallon to 2-2. Its previous defeat on quicker ground is viewed as forgivable, and it is expected to perform well at this level back on the all-weather surface.
For the 2.25 York, the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dash Handicap over 5f, Wilson’s choice is Stargazed. This horse was beaten by just half a length on its handicap debut over course and distance last month. The form was subsequently boosted when the third, seventh, and fourth-placed horses from that race filled the top three spots in the 3YO ‘Dash’. Stargazed benefits from better weight conditions against several rivals and is anticipated to find this race more suitable than its previous outing in a Royal Ascot handicap.
In the 2.40 Newcastle, the Jenningsbet Festival Northumberland Vase Handicap over 2m½f, Wilson recommends Believitanducan. This horse has achieved comfortable victories at Ascot and Chester since returning to the Flat, beating a subsequent easy winner at Ascot and maintaining a strong lead at Chester. Believitanducan is considered open to further improvement over this distance and appears well-treated despite a 5lb penalty.
The 2.58 York hosts the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Criterion Stakes (Group 3) over 7f, with Chicago Critic as Wilson’s pick. Chicago Critic’s fourth-place finish in the Tattenham Corner Stakes at Epsom this month was better than the result suggested, as it would have preferred a stronger pace. The horse is also arguably better on faster ground, conditions that are expected to suit this race.
Key Selections and Analyst Insights
For the 3.15 Newcastle, the Jenningsbet Northumberland Plate Handicap over 2m½f, Wilson has two selections: Team Player and Saint Etienne. Team Player has shown significant progress this year, with comfortable wins at Newcastle and Musselburgh, followed by a fifth-place finish from a challenging draw in the Chester Cup. Wilson describes Team Player as a “big player off an unchanged mark.” Saint Etienne, a three-time all-weather winner in France, is considered well-handicapped based on its best form and has been specifically prepared for this event.
The final race covered by Wilson’s tips is the 3.45 Newcastle, the Jenningsbet Over 200 Shops Nationwide Handicap over 6f, where he suggests Power Fizz. This horse developed well over 7f last year and improved further after a gelding operation when dropped to 6f, winning a handicap over course and distance in March. Power Fizz performs well after a break, making its recent time off not a concern, and is believed to have more to offer as a sprinter.
Beyond Wilson’s selections, other analysts have provided their best bets for Saturday’s action across various tracks. For the 14.02 Chester, Stardom Glory is favoured by Simon Baker. Its two second-place finishes at York are seen as marginally stronger form than a rival’s fourths at Newmarket and Beverley. Stardom Glory also benefits from stall 1.
In the 15.38 York, Simon Walker backs Who’s Lope. This three-year-old has shown significant improvement in its three runs, particularly when stepping up to 1½m to win a maiden at Beverley. A further increase in distance is expected to be beneficial, and Oisin Murphy will be riding for the first time.
David Johnson‘s pick for the 16.23 Newcastle is Knock Three Times. This filly made a promising debut, finishing second at Nottingham, and then ran into the Albany fourth at Goodwood. She is receiving weight from all rivals, making her a strong contender.
For the 16.50 York, Rory King supports No Knee Never in an amateur riders’ race. The horse benefits from a stable in strong form and a jockey who has achieved multiple comfortable successes on this horse previously. While yet to win on turf, recent performances suggest this race could be within reach, especially with cheekpieces refitted.
Stu Jones highlights The Piper’s Call for the 17.05 Curragh. Its maiden form from last year has been validated by subsequent Group winners. The horse proved its fitness after an 11-month absence by winning a course and distance maiden earlier in the month, and its mark of 82 is considered lenient.
Finally, Billy Nash‘s selection for the 17.40 The Curragh is Starborn Legend. This horse, a son of Starspangledbanner, performed better than its sixth-place debut finish suggested, encountering trouble during the race. With the benefit of that experience, it is expected to be a strong contender.
Harry Wilson’s selections for the Newcastle and York races on Saturday include Bobby Bennu, Frankies Dream, Wiltshire, Stargazed, Believitanducan, Chicago Critic, Team Player, Saint Etienne, and Power Fizz.
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Source: racingpost.com
Freya Donnelly is the Sports Reporter at News-UK, covering tennis, cricket and athletics with seven years of reporting experience. She reported on Team GB through an Olympic cycle. She holds a degree in Sport and Media from the University of Brighton and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Brighton, she plays club cricket in the summer. “Listening is the most underrated skill in sports reporting.”
