With Royal Ascot now behind us, it’s time to focus on action away from the Berkshire track and there’s quality racing this Saturday across the UK & Ireland. There’s quality action from Newcastle and York in front of the ITV racing cameras on 28th June, 2025 and our tipster Steve Chambers picks out his best bets across the live terrestrial action.
1:40pm Newcastle – JenningsBet 200 Shops Nationwide Handicap
Fifth in this race last year, STRIKE RED showed when winning a hugely competitive York handicap at the end of last season off a mark of 93 that on his day he can produce the goods in a competitive sprint handicap. Well, returning to Newcastle for a fascinating renewal at 1:40pm, the seven-year-old Richard Fahey-trained raider could well run a big race at decent odds.
Sixth at Epsom last time out, Strike Red has been given a notable chance by the handicapper for this contest as the experienced campaigner has been dropped 2lbs and lines up here off a figure of 96. He was caught for room in the closing stages of last year’s finish, so if he can get a little more luck in running then he certainly has to be considered an each-way play at the very least.
2:40pm Newcastle – JenningsBet Festival Northumberland Vase Handicap
Charlie Johnston’s ARTISAN DANCER has been a real model of consistency in recent times, but those solid performances on the track have gradually seen his mark take a notable height, but he still looks capable of landing a big race. Having failed to make the cut for the Northumberland Plate later in the card, the five-year-old will line up in the Vase at 2:40pm and could run a huge race.
He found himself out the back last time out over 1m 6f at Chelmsford City and was given plenty to do, but was staying on eye-catchingly well to claim third that day. Taking his chance off the same mark here, he will have Jamie Spencer in the saddle, so will likely be biding his time again, but if he can unleash his effort a long way from home then he could well pass plenty of horses in the closing stages and warrants significant focus in a cracking betting heat.
3:00pm York – Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dash Handicap
JM Jungle and Regal Envoy head into a fascinating 5f sprint handicap at York on Saturday in the form of their life and with the former having recently been victorious and had his form franked by recent Group 1 winner American Affair then he’s entitled to be at the forefront at the betting. Meanwhile, Regal Envoy has won his last two at Windsor and will be looking to get the hat-trick up as he ventures up north to the Knavesmire.
However, both could come unstuck to AZURE ANGEL who was only seen winning at Redcar a week ago, but Ed Bethell’s charge could be an improving sprinter and can defy a 6lbs rise here. Winning comfortably that day he dominated the contest from the outset and if he can get himself on the front end again then he could be very tough to reel in and can land this prize with aplomb.
3:15pm Newcastle – JenningsBet Northumberland Plate Handicap
A cracking field of 20 will go to post for the Northumberland Plate and last year’s winner Onesmoothoperator will look to retain his crown in the 2m 56y feature contest, but he could prove vulnerable off top weight. One that does catch the eye in the upper echelons of the handicap is ROARING LEGEND for Hugo Palmer and David Probert.
A multiple winner over extreme distances on the Flat, he was sixth in the All Weather Marathon Championships at the start of the season before he failed to land a blow in the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes at Chester. He’s had wind surgery since then and dropping back to handicap company having been dropped 1lb could see him bounce back to winning ways and he’s a terrific each-way bet in a superb renewal.
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