Racing returns to Newbury on Saturday, where the Goffs 100 Grand Bumper takes centre stage with a strong field of 20 runners set to go to post.
Now firmly established as the richest bumper in the world, this year’s renewal sees the prize fund rise to over £111,000, with the race restricted to four and five-year-olds sourced from the Doncaster Spring Store Sales. It has built a solid reputation as a stepping stone for future stars, with previous runners including top-level performers such as My Tent Or Yours and Riverside Theatre.
Across the Atlantic, attention turns to Fair Grounds, where the Louisiana Derby headlines the card. It is an important stepping stone on the road to the Kentucky Derby and regularly draws some of the leading three-year-olds in the US. A victory here virtually guarantees a place in the Kentucky Derby.
Naas adds further interest on Sunday with a couple of solid races on the card, while in the UK, Carlisle sees racing return.
Further afield, Sha Tin hosts the Hong Kong Derby, run over a mile and a quarter and offering a prize purse of over £1.3 million, underlining its status as one of the major international races of the weekend.
Looking ahead to midweek, attention turns to Kempton on Wednesday evening, where the Virgin Bet Novice Stakes over a mile and a half is set to feature Constitution Hill on his second start on the Flat.
It is a varied programme once again, with strong cards at home and abroad.
Big races this week
Goffs Hundred Grand Bumper: 3:35 Newbury, 21 Mar (iTV 4)
TAB Golden Slipper: 5:35 Rosehill, 21 Mar (SKY)
Louisiana Derby: 10:42 Fair Grounds, 21 Mar (SKY)
Hong Kong Derby: 8:05 Sha Tin, 22 Mar (SKY)
Virgin Bet Novice Stakes: 7:30 Kempton, 25 Mar (RTV)
Race Notes
3:35 Goffs Hundred Grand Bumper - 21 Mar, Newbury
Way Maker (33/1) is a lovely story — unbeaten, trained and ridden by the Bowen family, and carrying Harry Redknapp's silks in a £100,000 race. But he's on his mark here. The double penalty puts him at top weight (11-12), his last win was described as underwhelming, and his RPR of 110 leaves him chasing the likes of Diamond Street (7/2) and Keltype (12/1) (both rated 124).
Diamond Street looks the formbook choice, while Bailly's Comet (15/2) is the one with the star pedigree and the outside chance of making it a race to remember.
Weekend Nap
EMBLAZON (25/1) E/W – 8.05am (Sunday 22 Mar) Sha Tin (Hong Kong Derby):
Chasing a fifth straight win after another success at Sha Tin last time. Steps up in trip and is unproven at the distance, but arrives in strong form and looks worth an each-way play with solid place claims.
Antepost Watch
One of the most notable moves in the early markets this week has been La Botte, who has been heavily backed for the Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster (3:35) 28 March.
Previously available at around 14/1, he has now been cut into 5/1 favourite.
Racing Syndicates
Pompey Ventures is a young syndicate team focused on offering smaller, more personal racehorse ownership experiences. Their aim is to make ownership more open, straightforward and accessible for racing fans.
Pompey Ventures are likely to be represented by Oliver Show in this year’s Lincoln, and will be hoping he can go one better than his excellent second in last year’s renewal.
If you’d like to find out more about Pompey Ventures and the horses they currently have shares available in, click here.
Betting Offers
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Racing News
Here are a few racing updates that caught the eye this week.
Racing Legends - The Pilgarlic
Few horses can claim to have jumped the Aintree Grand National fences as much as The Pilgarlic. A true stalwart of the Grand National in the late seventies, this remarkable horse gave many competitors a run for their money and captured the hearts of racing fans with his plucky spirit and unwavering determination.
Thanks for reading! Let’s catch up again next week.
Regards
The Newsletter Team
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