The Flat season really kicks into gear this weekend with Newmarket’s Guineas Meeting 2024 taking centre stage as well as the continuation of the Punchestown Festival.
Here we look at the action from across the card on Friday including an interesting runner for Godolphin on the Rowley Course at Newmarket and a course specialist at Goodwood. Our expert has picked out his three best bets.
4.10 Newmarket – Jockey Club Stakes (Group 2) 1m4f
The feature race of the day on day one of Newmarket’s Guineas meeting is the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes. It’s a race that Charlie Appleby won last season and he has a strong hand with his pair of runners again this time around in just a six-runner field. William Buick opts to ride Castle Way and it’s a slight surprise that he’s not the outright favourite for this contest.
The son of Almanzor got the better of Tower Of London in a Group 3 at this venue last season, form that looks rock solid now, and he followed that up with a solid effort in the Great Voltigeur Stakes at the Ebor meeting. He wasn’t at his best in Dubai in the Dubai City of Gold on his return to action on Super Saturday but many of Appleby’s runners over the last 18 months have been coming on plenty of their return efforts. Expect Castle Way to get back on track here at a course he’s clearly effective at, and an ease in the ground should be no issue given his breeding.
4.45 Newmarket – Handicap 1m
The finale on the card has a competitive look to it but one that looks potentially well treated is Volterra. Kevin Ryan’s three-year-old got off the mark in a Redcar novice at the end of last season, rallying gamely having looked green when asked for his effort.
An opening mark of 82 looks on the lenient side and this son of Farhh should relish a step up in trip and the sire’s progeny often progress plenty from their juvenile to three-year-old campaigns. Several of Ryan’s recent winners have been tuned up for their returns and if he is fit enough to do himself justice, he may take some beating.
3.15 Goodwood – Handicap (6f)
A high draw is often preferred on Goodwood’s straight track and one that can go well is Spanish Star who is drawn seven of nine. Patrick Chaming’s nine-year-old ran a belter on his return at Newbury last month when outrunning odds of 40-1 and he’s a four-time course and distance winner, so the switch to this venue should be in his favour.
If he comes on from his return, which he did to win this same race last year he could take some beating, despite being 3lb above last year’s winning handicap mark and the booking of David Probert is another positive given that he’s been on board for three of his previous eight career wins.
Newmarket’s Guineas Meeting 2024: Day 1 Selections
4.10 Newmarket – Castle Way
4.45 Newmarket – Volterra
3.15 Goodwood – Spanish Star
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