“Another run like that should be enough to win” Newbury, Ripon & more

Newbury hosts Group Three and Listed action this weekend with the Steventon Stakes and the Hackwood Stakes over 6f later on their card. In the Steventon, Richard Hannon’s Persica looks likely to go off favourite in a small but competitive field which sees Godolphin and Charlie Appleby eager to keep their good run going with Al Zanati and Arabian Light. But can globetrotting Silawi, a Grade 1 winner at Woodbine last year, produce a shock? The Hackwood Stakes advertises the form from Royal Ascot’s Wokingham handicap, with eye-catching Soldier’s Tree heading the market ahead of Binhareer and Mitbaahy. James Owen’s 5yo finished best of those three last time, will he do the same again or will the form of Newcastle’s Chipchase prevail with Symbol of Honour? The jumpers have one of their big summer meetings at Market Rasen where, surprise surprise, Dan Skelton saddles the favourite in both big races. Louis Veron hacked up at Stratford last time so deserves to head the market in the Summer Handicap Hurdle, but Owen has won this twice in the last three year so does his High Fibre present the danger? Mickey Bowen’s Letterston Lily and Tom Lacy’s Squeezebox also bring serious claims. It’s over fences for the Summer Plate, with Skelton’s Kingston Narcissus - a recent buy from Rebecca Menzies yard - heading the list. But Irish raider Baltic Bird, ridden by crack 5lbs claimer Patrick O’Brien for William Durkan, is an intriguing contender for a yard who has targeted big UK handicaps this year. Racing also at Ripon and Cartmel. In Ireland, it’s their Oaks at the Curragh with Thundering On stepping back up in trip in a bid to do the UK-Ireland double - but does the recent heatwave scupper her chances? Jim Bolger is nearing the end of his training career but does he have another budding star on his hands? JIM'S FOOTBALL BETS: https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/auth... .https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/   / scottishsunsport   https://x.com/scottishsun?lang=en #jimDelahunt #horseRacing #racingTips #weekendPreview #theScottishSun #newbury #ripon #scottishracing