4 minutes Stephen Welch makes his picks from today's six race cards.
There are no fewer than six horse racing meetings taking place across the UK and Ireland today including day one of the Irish Derby Festival at the Curragh, a jumps meeting at Cartmel, an evening meeting on Newcastle’s all-weather course and seven flat races apiece at Newmarket (July), Doncaster and Yarmouth. With a total of 43 races across the six meetings, we have picked out one stand-out selection on each card. Below are today’s racing NAPs, according to our resident tipster Stephen Welch.
13:50 Doncaster
Get Raceday Ready Handicap (Class 5) (3yo 0-75)
PENDRAGON - 4/6
The opener at Doncaster is a staying handicap for three-year-olds and much like previous runnings, features a likely improver from the Sir Mark Prescott yard. Pendragon, who made a winning handicap debut at Ripon just eight days ago, heads the market and looks a serious contender to follow up.
He was pushed along a fair way out that day but galloped through the line with authority, shaping as though this longer trip will bring about more progress. A 6lbs penalty shouldn’t inconvenience him unduly as he’s already due to run off a higher mark and with his stable’s excellent record in this race (wins in 2018, 2023 and 2024), he sets a clear standard.
15:33 Yarmouth
QuinnBet Classified Stakes (Class 6) (3yo+ 0-50)
ZAFAAN - 2/1
A modest affair on paper but one that presents an opportunity for Zafaan, who returns to the Flat after a respectable effort over hurdles earlier this month. He ran well for a long way at Huntingdon and that recent fitness, combined with the switch back to this surface, could prove decisive at this lowly level.
A mark of 49 doesn’t look beyond him, especially given his yard’s strong recent form. Connections apply cheekpieces for the first time, and this looks a well-placed chance to capitalise in a weak 0–50.
17:30 Cartmel
John Wade Amateur Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle (Class 4) (4yo+ 0-110)
GREENROCK ABBEY - 7/4
A competitive amateur riders’ handicap where recent chase scorer Greenrock Abbey looks the one to beat. He stormed clear to win by 12 lengths at Market Rasen just a week ago, showing the benefit of a first-time visor and confirming the promise of his earlier hurdle efforts for the new yard. With only a 1lb rise to contend with switching back to timber and 9lbS ‘well in’ he’s a major player in this grade.
17:50 Curragh
JJ Mahon & Sons Handicap (3yo+)
RIBCHESTINA - 6/1
A typically wide-open Curragh handicap but one where Ribchestina could be ready to strike. Lightly raced and still unexposed, she shaped well when just touched off on return at Cork and didn’t get the chance to build on that at Gowran, where she missed the break and pulled hard. With a cleaner start, she can reverse the placings with Four Blondes, who beat her that day but had the run of the race.
The fitting of a hood looks a smart move and she should get her preferred position near the pace from a middle draw. With fitness now assured and the return to better ground likely to suit, this looks a good opportunity to shed her maiden tag.
19:05 Newcastle (AW)
JenningsBet In Delves Hoppings Fillies' Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (3yo+)
CHARLOTTE’S WEB - 9/2
Plenty will be latching onto Diamond Rain after her clear-cut Listed success at Haydock last month, but she’s short in the market for one making her all-weather debut and there’s definite value in opposing her with a race-fit rival proven under tonight’s conditions.
Charlotte’s Web has built a superb record on the Tapeta (form figures: 3111123) and it’s no coincidence that her best two performances came at this very track, including when placed in a valuable handicap over course and distance during the Easter meeting. She travelled like the winner that day and only gave best late to an unexposed improver in a messy finish.
The ten-week break since then is likely to have been by design, with this Group 3 target in mind and she’s been steadily progressive in every all-weather start. With James Doyle booked and the Crisfords adept at readying one for this meeting, she has an ideal profile to trouble the favourite.
20:20 Newmarket (July)
Aston Martin Handicap (Class 4) (3yo 0-85)
MR UBIQUITOUS - 10/3
We were firmly with Mr Ubiquitous when he landed his fifth career success at Newbury earlier this week and he returns quickly under a 6lbs penalty looking to continue his rich vein of form. Despite the narrow winning margin, he had more in hand than it appeared and again showed how effective he is over this trip when ridden by Jack Nicholls. With momentum on his side, he’s hard to fault and deserves to be favourite.
