Newmarket (July) Tips: Thursday 20 August 2026

Newmarket (July) Tips: Thursday 20 August 2026

Six races on the July Course today on good to firm ground, which suits horses who like a bit of zip in the surface. The draw and pace angles are always critical at Newmarket, and with Charlie Appleby firing at a remarkable 48% over the past fortnight, his runners deserve extra scrutiny. Tom Clover is also worth noting at this track specifically, converting 18% here with a healthy A/E of 1.29. Mason Paetel carries a 25% strike rate at this course too, well above expectation. Let’s get into it.

2:00 — EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes (6f, Good To Firm)

A tricky novice with several unexposed types, but one filly stands out from the market. Minkaas is the selection at 15/8 (Boyle Sports, Betfred). Two consecutive thirds from two runs might look modest, but in EBF novice company at six furlongs on fast ground, consistent placed form shows ability. Jamie Spencer is a canny operator who rarely takes a bad book, and his record at Newmarket rewards watching. T.J. Kent’s yard is quiet on the stats (0/7 in the last 14 days), which is the one reservation, but with market support making her the joint-favourite, others clearly agree the figures understate her chances.

Zephyra at 9/2 (Boyle Sports) makes each-way appeal. Marco Botti’s yard is running at 26% over the past fortnight, and a runner-up on debut shows Zephyra handles the track. A step forward here is very plausible.

3:45 — National Stud Handicap Stakes (1m4f, Good To Firm)

Race To The Stars is the call at 3/1 (Boyle Sports, Betfred). Charlie Appleby’s 48% strike rate over the past two weeks is extraordinary, and this horse gives him a live chance in a small field. A winner three starts back and runner-up last time out, the form line is solid and the trip is confirmed at a mile and four furlongs on ground he handles. The 266-day absence is the elephant in the room, but Appleby routinely returns horses in peak condition after a break. The July Course knows this trainer well, with a 28% overall strike rate here and an A/E nudging 1.01. At 3/1 with jockey Jack Mitchell aboard for Clover-connected runners elsewhere making the frame, this is a competitive price for a yard in the form of its life.

Astro King Each-Way at 14/1 (Boyle Sports) is worth a small interest each-way in a race paying two places. Top of the figures on 107, winless recently but his fifth last time was his sharpest effort in a while. Daniel and Claire Kubler are ticking along at 4/17 in the past fortnight, which is decent, and 14/1 is generous for the highest-rated horse in the field.

4:20 — Racing TV Handicap Stakes (7f, Good To Firm, 10 runners)

Piscean Star Each-Way is the value play at 11/1 (Boyle Sports, Betfred). Mason Paetel takes the ride, and that matters: the claimer is running at a 25% strike rate at this course specifically, with an A/E of 1.56 that screams he finds winners here above expectation. Piscean Star has a win from his last four and was second two outings ago, so the form base is there. He handles this trip and the going, and 15 days between runs means he arrives fresh enough. Ed Dunlop’s yard is quiet recently (1/17), but this is a ten-runner handicap paying three places at 1/5, and 11/1 in that context with a jockey in this kind of course form is a proper each-way bet.

Cherry Cobbler at 2/1 (Boyle Sports, Betfred) is the obvious market leader and deserves respect. Winning last time out, consistent placed form, suits the trip and ground, and a rating of 88 tops this field. The five-day turnaround is the only query. If you want the win bet, Cherry Cobbler is a fair price at 2/1, but there is no each-way value at that price in a ten-runner field paying three spots.

Mr Writer at 10/3 (Boyle Sports, Betfred) also carries each-way claims. James Fanshawe runs at 25% over the past fortnight, the horse won two starts back, has run over this trip and going, and arrives fresh on 27 days off. Worth including in any each-way combination or forecast.

Today’s NAP

Race To The Stars — National Stud Handicap Stakes (3:45, Newmarket July)
Odds: 3/1 — Boyle Sports (others: 3/1 Betfred, 11/4 LiveScore Bet)

Charlie Appleby at 48% over the past fortnight is the kind of trainer stat that demands respect, and Race To The Stars fits the profile perfectly: placed last time out, winner three starts ago, confirmed at the trip and going. Newmarket’s July Course has been Appleby’s playground all season, and 3/1 about a runner-up returning from a break in the hands of racing’s most potent operation right now is genuine value. The layoff is a risk, but this yard does not send horses out unprepared.