Newmarket best bets: Asinara looking strong, Alafdhal could defy hefty odds
- John Fearn
- 16 August 2024
A busy Friday at the races concludes with this tasty-looking six-furlong sprint that should give Newmarket’s evening race-goers plenty to talk about as they make their way home.
20:00 Newmarket: Jenningsbet Bishops Stortford Handicap (6 furlongs)
The bookies have this lined up as a three-horse race, and while Spring Bloom and Royal Musketeer have been well-supported, we’re plumping for Charlie Hills’ lively filly Asinara to pip them to the post.
Yet to finish outside the frame in six outings, this three-year-old clearly enjoys life at the business end of the race, eventually visiting the winning enclosure at the fifth attempt after beating her two rivals with nine lengths to spare at Ffos Las last month.
That promise was again apparent when coming third on her handicap debut on Southwell’s all-weather track a fortnight ago, and further progress is expected here in a first-time tongue-strap and with Willam Buick in the saddle.
Suggested best bet: Asinara in the 20:00 at Newmarket
- Tip advised by Gastonex on Tipstrr
For those who like to look beyond the market leaders for some each-way value, the current rank outsider Alfadhal carries the credentials to make a mockery of his huge odds.
Phil McEntee’s six-year-old is more often seen on all-weather circuits, but he has proved his mettle on turf over the last couple of months, with his cosy win at Pontefract in April making it three successes from 13 attempts this year.
He was a comfortably beaten seventh of 10 over this course and distance a fortnight ago, but was shaking off a three-month break, and might well be more competitive now that those cobwebs have been blown away.
Suggested each-way punt: Alafdhal each-way in the 20:00 at Newmarket
- Tip advised by VH Tips on Tipstrr
