2.00pm Newbury Tips & Betting Preview 21/04/2017

This is an interesting maiden over 5 furlongs, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: There’s lot to like about the pedigree of EMBOUR and he can come out on top here. He’s related to plenty of winners at this trip and he’s a full-brother to the classy Cake who won on debut over today’s trip and the booking of Ryan Moore is a big positive. Headway is one of interest if market support arrives whilst Godolphin have had plenty of maiden winners of late and Gold Town could be anything.

1 ADMIRAL SPICE – Half-brother to some smart enough types over 5 and 6 furlongs and he was picked up for 32,000 Euros as a yearling back in September of last year. He’s an April foal so he should be pretty straight forward and this yard do well with their 2yo’s, sending out plenty of maiden winners last year. They have been slightly out of form of late though, without a win from their last 15 runners and others are preferred here.

2 EMBOUR – Full-brother to Cake who was trained by Richard Hannon’s father and won on debut over 5 furlongs. She’s gone on to sire some speedy sorts such as Tomily and this colt has got lots to like about his pedigree. The yard have hit top form this year having been slightly underwhelming last year and they’re operating at a 22% strike rate in the last 14 days. Respected with Ryan Moore aboard.

3 GOLD TOWN – Dam was a winner over 5 furlongs on debut and this colt is her first racecourse debutante. He’s got an excellent blend of speed and stamina and this yard have sent out some nice enough sorts this season, although this is one of their first 2yo runners. The yard have been in good form of late (3 winners from 19 runners) and they’re operating at a 15% strike rate at Newbury. Wouldn’t be a surprise to see plenty of market support.

4 HEADWAY – 60,000GNS purchase and he’s one of the first runners for Havana Gold. He was a smart 2yo performer who won four times as a 2yo including a Group Three whilst his dam was successful three times as a 3yo. It’ll be interesting to see how forward he is and he’s impossible to rule out for a yard with a 40% strike rate in the past fortnight. Others make slightly more appeal but market support would be significant.

5 JIM ROCKFORD – £47,000 purchase out of a mare who ran to marks in the 50’s for most of her career. She ran well on racecourse debut as a 2yo and her sire won twice as a 2yo so there’s plenty to suggest she should be forward enough on racecourse debut for a yard that do relatively well here (15% strike rate). He may appreciate an extra furlong to be seen to best effect and he’s best watched on debut.

6 MOTOWN MICK – Half-brother to some fair sorts and was picked up for 52,000GNS as a yearling back in November. He’s the second runner in this for Richard Hannon and he certainly looks like the second choice of the stable based on jockey bookings. Tom Marquand has been in excellent form of late with 4 winners from his last 24 rides (17% strike rate) although he may not better that record here.

7 MYSAAN – Another son of Havana Gold, he’s out of a dam that has produced horses with more stamina than speed. Brian Meehan does well with his sprinters and this £30,000 purchase should come on for this initial racecourse experience. He’s another that will probably appreciate another furlong or two to aim at and others make slightly more appeal on pedigree.

8 OWEN THE LAW – Half-brother to a mixed bunch including the smart Fast Or Free and some less notable runners. David Evans is a master with his 2yo’s although they’ve been in slightly mixed form this season so far and this is a very competitive race to debut in. His dam did win on debut as a 2yo over 5 furlongs so he’s not without a chance but the percentage call is to oppose him.

9 QAARAAT – Eye-catching purchase having been bought for 200,000GNS as a yearling. His dam placed three times as a 2yo and went on to be a really smart performer over slightly further at 3 over 6 and 7 furlongs. Her sire is known producer of speedy types having produced a huge number of sprinters in his stud career so it’ll be interesting to see how much speed he has. Has to be respected on debut, even if others make more appeal on paper.

10 SPOOF – Increased in value from a foal to a yearling, selling for 50,000 Euros last September. Her dam only raced twice as a 2yo but did run with credit and this runner is her first runner on a racecourse. Her sire has produced runners that have done better over further than the minimum trip and this runner may just want a bit more time than some of today’s opponents. Others are preferred.

11 TONY SOPRANO – Half-brother to some nice sorts over 7 furlongs and a mile and this 50,000 Euros purchase is another that may just prefer some time. The yard have only sent 10 runners here and one of those was a winner but the stable have been quiet of late and he would only warrant a second look if significant market support arrived. Others preferred.