It has been a remarkable week for Herrin Kendrick’s horse racing tips, and he aims to keep the momentum going with his picks for today’s races at Newbury and Ripon. Today is Saturday, 17th August, and we have an exciting line-up of races across the country. In this article, we will delve into some of the key races of the day, examining the form and prospects of various contenders, before presenting Kendrick’s best horse racing tips, including the ever-popular Nap of the Day selection.
Read on to discover the best horse racing tips of the day, including the eagerly awaited Nap of the Day.
Horse Racing Tips Saturday 17th August 2024
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Races Previews For Today’s, Saturday 17th August at Newbury and Ripon
This Saturday presents us with a fascinating array of races at Newbury and Ripon, both offering a mix of competitive handicaps and stakes that demand attention. The feature race at Newbury is the BetVictor Geoffrey Freer Stakes, which will see some top-quality stayers going head-to-head over a testing distance. Meanwhile, at Ripon, the William Hill Great St Wilfrid Handicap takes centre stage, a race known for its big fields and thrilling finishes.
Newbury plays host to a variety of interesting races today, with the 1.50 race, the Geoffrey Freer Stakes, being one of the main highlights. This Group 3 event often acts as a stepping stone for horses with aspirations of tackling longer distances, and this year is no exception. Al Qareem, a strong galloper, looks well-suited to this race after a gallant effort at Goodwood, although he faces stiff competition from Al Aasy, who carries a penalty but has shown flashes of top-class ability. Hamish, another notable runner, is also in the mix and cannot be discounted given his strong form over similar trips, particularly if the ground has any cut in it. Siskany, trained by Charlie Appleby, brings a blend of stamina and class to the table and could also be a serious threat if he is at his best.
Later in the day, the 3.35 BetVictor Hungerford Stakes at Newbury sees a drop in class for Kikkuli, who has previously run with distinction at Group 1 level. However, he will need to bounce back after a slightly disappointing run at Deauville, where softer ground conditions may have hampered his performance. The Hungerford Stakes, a seven-furlong contest, will test not only speed but also the ability to handle tactical races. Among his rivals is Sacred, a filly who has shown herself to be highly effective over this trip and could pose a significant threat if she is in the same form that saw her win the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes last season. Jumby, another contender, brings consistency and a solid record at this distance, making him one to watch. Chindit, with his proven ability at the top level, adds further depth to what promises to be a high-quality contest.
Over at Ripon, the Great St Wilfrid Handicap at 3.20 is always a spectacle, attracting a large field of sprinters. Among the key contenders this year is Summerghand, a seasoned campaigner who has come close in this race before and is now 8lb lower in the handicap than when narrowly beaten last year. However, this race is known for its unpredictability, and several other horses, such as Kitai and Rock Opera, also bring strong credentials to the table. Wobwobwob, who has been knocking on the door in similar contests, could finally get his head in front if things fall his way. Dare To Hope, another contender, is drawn well and could capitalise on his recent encouraging form. Makanah, who has been performing consistently well this season, also adds to the depth of the field and could be dangerous if he gets a clear run.
Horse Racing Tips For Today’s, Saturday 17th August at Newbury and Ripon
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Kuwait City enters the 2.25 at Newbury with a profile that suggests he could be primed for a strong performance. After a successful reappearance in April, where he claimed victory in a similar contest, he now benefits from a 2lb drop in the handicap. This weight reduction is significant in a race like this, where every pound can make a difference, particularly over a sharp 5f sprint where margins for error are minimal.
One of the key factors working in Kuwait City’s favour is the return to 5f, a distance that plays to his strengths, especially on quick ground. His previous attempt at Newbury over 6f saw him fade in the final furlong, indicating that the extra distance may have stretched his stamina. However, with the return to 5f and the potential for a strong early pace from the likes of McLoven and Faustus, the race could set up perfectly for a closer like Kuwait City. These pace-setting rivals are likely to push the tempo early on, which could lead to them coming back to the field in the closing stages, allowing a horse with Kuwait City’s finishing speed to pounce.
The partnership with Jim Crowley is another significant positive. Crowley has a proven track record with Kuwait City, having been in the saddle for the horse’s last two victories. His experience and tactical nous will be crucial in navigating through what is likely to be a fast-paced and tightly contested race. Crowley’s ability to judge the pace and position his mount accordingly could be the difference between winning and losing, especially if the race unfolds as anticipated with a fast early pace leading to a late surge.
Given these factors, Kuwait City not only has the form and conditions to perform well but also the tactical advantages that could see him come out on top in what is expected to be a competitive sprint. His price also offers value, making him an attractive proposition for backers looking for a horse with both strong form and a favourable handicap mark.
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In the 3.20 at Ripon, Summerghand stands out as a horse with a compelling case for success in the William Hill Great St Wilfrid Handicap. This race is known for its large and competitive fields, where experience and a favourable handicap mark can often make the difference between winning and placing. Summerghand fits this bill perfectly, coming into the race off a mark that is 8lb lower than when he was narrowly beaten by a head in last year’s renewal.
Summerghand’s recent form, while not featuring a win, shows that he remains in good heart. His third-place finish in the Bunbury Cup last month, where he ran with credit in a high-class field, suggests that he is still capable of producing a big performance. The 6f trip at Ripon is one that he knows well, and the course’s undulating nature plays to his strengths as a horse that often finishes his races strongly. His running style, which involves coming from off the pace, means that he will need some luck in running, particularly in a race of this size. However, his ability to navigate through large fields, as demonstrated in past performances, gives confidence that he can overcome these challenges.
The challenge for Summerghand will be to position himself well enough to strike in the final furlong. Given that Ripon’s 6f track often favours those who can handle the undulations and quicken late, his stamina and ability to stay on in the closing stages could see him reel in the leaders. Furthermore, with several horses likely to go off at a fast pace, including front-runners such as Kitai and Ramazan, the race could be set up for a horse like Summerghand to pick them off late.
His experience in this race, coupled with a highly competitive handicap mark, makes him an intriguing contender. At his current odds, he represents excellent value, particularly given his proven ability to perform in these types of races. Summerghand’s proven record at this level and his current form suggest he has a strong chance of securing a much-deserved victory.
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The 3.35 at Newbury, the BetVictor Hungerford Stakes, sees Kikkuli dropping back in class after competing at the highest level in Group 1 races. His performance at Royal Ascot, where he was just a neck behind the high-class Haatem, was a standout, showcasing his ability to compete with some of the best in the division. However, his subsequent run in the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat at Deauville was less impressive, which could be attributed to the softer ground conditions that day.
Kikkuli is a horse that thrives on quicker ground, and with the expected going at Newbury likely to be firmer, this could see him return to his best form. The seven-furlong trip is one that suits him well, combining the need for speed with the requirement to see out the trip strongly, a balance that Kikkuli has previously shown he can manage. This race, while competitive, does not feature the same depth of quality as a Group 1, and as such, represents a significant drop in class for Kikkuli.
One of the key aspects to watch in this race will be the early pace and how Kikkuli is positioned. In his best performances, he has been able to track the leaders and quicken at the right moment. With a strong pace likely from the likes of The Big Board, who favours front-running tactics, Kikkuli could be perfectly positioned to take advantage of any weakening rivals in the closing stages.
Trainer Harry Charlton has yet to hit top form in August, but this could be the race that turns the tide for his yard. With Kikkuli carrying the hopes of the stable, a return to the form he showed at Royal Ascot could see him prove too strong for his rivals in this contest. His class and previous performances at a higher level make him a standout contender, and with conditions to suit, he could very well justify favouritism.
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Streets Of Gold enters the 3.00 at Newbury off the back of a strong performance at Chepstow, where he narrowly missed out in a competitive 7f handicap. This marked a return to form after an underwhelming effort in the Royal Hunt Cup over a mile, a distance that clearly stretched his stamina. His recent Chepstow run was more reminiscent of the horse that finished a close sixth in the Victoria Cup, indicating he is back to his best.
Last season, Streets Of Gold demonstrated his class with a third-place finish in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, a performance that underscores his ability at this level. The key to his success lies in his preference for a decent pace, which he’s likely to get at Newbury. Lethal Levi, known for his front-running tactics, should ensure a strong early tempo, setting the race up perfectly for a closer like Streets Of Gold.
With the return to his optimal distance and the likelihood of a favourable race setup, Streets Of Gold is well-positioned to capitalise. His proven ability in high-class company, combined with the conditions at Newbury, makes him a leading contender in this field.
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