Best bets for the horse racing at QIPCO Guineas Festival Newmarket Friday 3rd May 2024

The QIPCO Guineas Festival gets underway at Newmarket on Friday afternoon. It’s a nice six-race card and I have four fancies for Friday, the going is Good - Good to Firm in places with showers likely on the day. 

Best bets for the horse racing at Newmarket

I am leaving the opener alone as there is next to no form and with two runners from Moulton Paddocks in the field my usual trick of backing their debutants here is also out of the question; Buick sides with Newbury second Magic Dream with James Doyle on the debut making Precious Jewel.

The 1m2f Listed William Hill Newmarket Stakes at 2.25 looks at the mercy of the unbeaten Endless Victory. The Charlie Appleby trained colt won on his belated racecourse debut at Wolverhampton over 1m1½f in February this year before winning over this track and trip in April, tipped on here. On ratings he has a bit to find on a couple of these but I am convinced there is more to come from this one. I am on at 4-5. Charlie Appleby said this week “Endless Victory is two from two and we were pleased with his latest start over the course and distance. He has come forward since and looks the one they have to beat. If he happens to win, it might bring him into the Derby picture.”  

I can make a case for several in the William Hill Epic Boost Handicap so it’s no bet for me.

The Listed 7f William Hill King Charles II Stakes due off at 3.35 can go to the team from Moulton Paddocks also with Bold Style the one to be on here. Third on his seasonal debut at the Craven Meeting over track and trip he took a keen hold that day and William Buick kept him apart from the main group towards the near side. He led into the final furlong before edging right and losing two places in the couple of hundred yards. Charlie Appleby said “Bold Style has definitely improved since his run at the Craven meeting. He’s reopposing Boiling Point, who was just in front of him last time, but we are confident that our horse has come forward.” Who am I to disagree with Charlie, I have 5-2. Boiling Point is the obvious danger. 

At 4.10 the 1m4f William Hill Jockey Club Stakes is the main event on Friday. King Of Conquest and Castle Way both have match fitness on their side having run already this season. Charlie Appleby, who trains both horses, said recently “King Of Conquest is fairly exposed as a five-year-old but he is a solid horse who always runs his race. Castle Way definitely needed the run in the Dubai City Of Gold and has come forward significantly for it, while the ground at Newmarket will suit. He showed some decent form as a three-year-old and goes into this in good order with that run under his belt. I hope we have two live players.” I think Time Lock can take full-advantage of the 3lb she gets and take this. Last seen in the G.1 1m3½f Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes in October she appeared to tire on the soft going that day and will appreciate the better ground at HQ. None of them are likely to be getting significantly better at their age, Castle Way may have a bit more to give as a relatively lightly raced four-year-old, but for me Time Lock just edges it. I am on at 2-1.

The lucky last in the Mile William Hill Extra Place Races Handicap at 4.45. Silent Age is one I have tipped before in his short career and the three-year-old gelding makes his Turf debut here. A winner on his first start at Kempton, he followed up at Wolverhampton before finishing sixth in a Listed heat at Newcastle on All-Weather Finals Day (I tipped him there as well). He reared in the stalls up at Geordieland before missing the start having to do too much to get in the race before fading late on. His two victories saw him bounce out and pretty much make every yard and I am hopeful we’ll see that today rather than the antics at Newcastle. A mark of 89 certainly give his a chance. I have taken a chance at the 13-2 and hopefully it will be a treble on the day for Appleby and William Buick. The hat-trick seeking Rocking Tree looks a danger after a couple of wins at Wolverhampton.

It is the Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs in the evening but it looks like a very competitive affair and I have decided to leave the race alone. The Kentucky Derby is Saturday evening (as if we didn’t have enough to think about this side of the pond).

Be lucky