ITV Racing Tips: Invincible Army to march on in Mill Reef Stakes
Published:
Following the postponement of Ayr’s Gold Cup meeting this Saturday, we’re turning our attention to Newbury and Newmarket.
With a pair of Group 3 clashes and a Group 2 renewal to look forward to, there’s no shortage of high-stakes action.
The racing gets underway at 14:00 on ITV4 and concludes with the World Trophy Stakes at 16:00.
As always, we’re on hand to guide you through all of Saturday’s ITV Racing action…
NAP – Invincible Army – 14:50, Newbury
James Tate’s two-year-old has a convincing name, but he also has the form to back it up.
For a start, the Irish-bred raider is the only horse in the field to have won in Group company.
He landed the Sirenia Stakes at Kempton earlier this month in impressive style from Corinthia Knight.
As such he holds significant claims ahead of this Group 2 renewal.
In what look to be ideal conditions at Newbury, we’re expecting the progressive colt to speed to victory.
And with the Mill Reef Stakes often a springboard on to greater things (think Ribchester and Harry Angel), it probably won’t be the latest you’ll hear of this son of Invincible Spirit once he hacks up over 6f.
NB – Desert Encounter – 14:15, Newbury
David Simcock’s charge has enjoyed an impressive breakthrough season in top-level company.
A third in the Coral-Eclipse was certainly not to be sneezed at.
And neither was sixth in the King George VI and Elizabeth Palace Stakes, even if he finished 6l behind wonder-filly Enable.
He’s still got a bit to prove but we think Desert Encounter has all of the credentials to nail this Group 3 renewal.
Lively Longshot – Silver Ghost – 15:25, Newbury
We really fancy Silver Ghost to strike it gold in the Dubai Duty Free Handicap.
In what looks to be an unpredictable contest, the Eve Johnson Houghton-trained runner looks to have as good a chance as any.
The son of Dark Angel went well at Sandown earlier this month before narrowly missing out to Thundering Blue.
That was his first time in a Class 2 and he’ll be all the better for it.
Charles Bishop will be in the saddle once again as Silver Ghost makes a concerted effort to continue this season’s good form.
ITV Racing Tips
14:00 Newmarket – First Nation
14:15 Newbury – Desert Encounter (NB)
14:35 Newmarket – Lady Bergamot
14:50 Newbury–Invincible Army (NAP)
15:10 Newmarket – Who Dares Wins
15:25 Newbury – Silver Ghost (Lively Longshot)
16:00 Newbury – Take Cover
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
