Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Ascot, Newmarket and York

BetMGM ambassador Megan Nicholls gives her thoughts on the horse racing world, bringing her insightful opinions and first-rate knowledge exclusively to our blog every week.

This time the former jockey – now a celebrated TV pundit – looks at the action taking place at Ascot, Newmarket and York.

SATURDAY RACING TIPS

Ascot 2.00 - Summer Mile

I will go with Sonny Liston (11/4), who put up an unbelievable performance at Ascot in the Hunt Cup off a massive weight.

He was only narrowly beaten and was super tough. Going into group company shouldn’t be an issue for him. He’s got a rating of 114 – this is where he should be getting pitched in.

Off the back of what he did at Ascot, he deserves to get his head in front again because he is just so consistent and so tough.

Hopefully they do go fast enough for him because I do think he enjoys a nice pace.

It would be nice to see him getting his head in front in group company.

Megan’s Tip: Sonny Liston WIN

Newmarket 2.50 – Mile Handicap

Qirat (4/1 jt fav) ran a big race in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot – that was his first try at a mile and he wasn’t beaten all that far.

He’s an improving horse, the gelding definitely helped him, and there’s more to come. It’s Ryan Moore on board for Juddmonte and he’s had a good couple of days at Newmarket already.

He’s drawn in two, so he is on the wing a little bit and I imagine this horse can finish quite well.

Volterra (4/1 jt fav) is interesting – he could bounce back after his last race, which was also the Brtannia, when he finished 11th. He’s quite a strong traveller and likely to be the pace angle. He’s drawn the opposite side, out in 15, so it will be interesting to see how the race pans out when they split into two groups.

Volterra has been well supported, and could very well bounce back, but I’m going to stick with Qirat here.

Megan’s Tip: Qirat WIN

York 3.10 – John Smith’s Cup Handicap

I like Paradias (10/1). Back on the Flat at Epsom last time he ran a huge race.

He’s a strong traveller and they tend to go fast in this race so he should be able to get into a nice rhythm.

I still think he can be an improver on the Flat. Alan King’s horses have been running very well of late, too.

This race could just be ideal for him. There’s a big race in him and it might well be this one.

Megan’s Tip: Paradias WIN

Newmarket 3.25 – Superlative Stakes

I think this is an open race.

Ancient Truth (6/4 fav) is a horse I really liked on his debut. The form has worked out really well.

He didn’t win as impressively in the EBF Novice Stakes at Newmarket next time under a penalty and he can just hang right-handed. He will have to get out of that habit up in grade.

This is a tough race because the two-year-olds can take massive step forwards from start-to-start.

I think Pentle Bay (13/2) is overpriced he won on debut and was behind the very impressive Bedtime Story in the Chesham Stakes. He could very well take a step forward from that and improve from Royal Ascot.

But I am going to go with Columnist (9/2) to win and Pentle Bay at a price each-way.

Columnist is stepping up in trip. He’s drawn a line under the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot – I think that was a decent race. He has experience up in grade. He’s officially the highest on the ratings.

I do like Ancient Truth but the hanging worries me.

Megan’s Tip: Columnist WIN; Pentle Bay EW

Newmarket 4.00 – Bunbury Cup

I will go Yorkshire (16/1) each-way here.

He is back down in trip, which will help. He’s a horse that has always been held in pretty high regard by trainer Edward Bethell.

He also sneaks into the bottom of the weights and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him outrun his odds.

I like the chances of Carrytheone, who has been in great form since joining Michael Bell. He was unfortunate in the Buckingham Palace when having no luck in running.

He managed to just about squeeze through in Newmarket the time before that when he was stuck in a pocket.

Carrytheone has got Ryan Moore on board, which is a massive positive. If he gets the required luck in running, I think this horse is deserving of a big win and he could do it here.

He gets his conditions and goes well at Newmarket.

Megan’s Tip: Carrytheone WIN; Yorkshire EW

Newmarket 4.35 – July Cup

For the places, I’m going to go Regional (7/1), who I think is at a fairly sensible price. He’s so consistent and is back up to six furlongs, which is a positive for me.

The top two, Inisherin (5/2 fav) and Vandeek (10/3 2nd fav), are obviously short in the market. I think it’s going to go the way of one of the three-year-olds and both are hard to split.

Vandeek was well below form on his return in the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock but the Crisford yard was not firing at that time and the horses obviously weren’t at their best.

They have had a couple of winners lately, and they’re obviously starting to get on a bit of a roll now, so I don’t think we should give up on this horse but I just think Inisherin is the sensible one here.

He impressed in the Sandy Lane and then again at Royal Ascot – he absolutely bolted up, to be honest.

It was an impressive performance and he’s proven he really is versatile in terms of ground and back down to this trip, he looks better than ever.

I think he’s the safe bet.

Megan’s Tip: Inisherin WIN; Regional EW

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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation