Newbury hosts the 2026 Lockinge on Saturday (Credit: Newbury Racecourse)

Expert horse racing betting tips for w/c Saturday, May 8th 2026

The flat season continues to roll on at a frantic pace, with high quality racing on the agenda once again this weekend headlined by the Lockinge at Newbury.

As always our Odds Now Punters Panel members are on hand to mark your card ahead of the action.

Introducing the Odds Now Horse Racing Punters Panel

Before we get stuck in, here’s a little bit more on the experts answering our key questions this week:

SD - Races Now's tipster extraordinaire who has shot to prominence over the last year with his engaging content and stellar betting record.

Adam Smith - A betting industry veteran, flat lover and one half of our Races Now double act.

Harry Fowler - Another of Odds Now’s regular racing contributors, currently working in the industry.

Zac Castledine - Previous Punters Panel contributor and huge horse racing lover, currently working within the industry.

Craig Talbot - Owner of Ursa Major Racing, providing affordable and rewarding syndicates for racing fans.

It's Lockinge day over at Newbury. Who wins the big one?

SD: I suppose it is a question of whether or not Zeus Olympios needed the run at Sandown, as seemed to be indicative of the visual impression. If he did, I would be sanguine of him just about being the best of these.

AS: I've backed Zeus Olympios and have grown more confident as the week has gone on. I think he should be favourite. I've also backed Jonquil and am hoping he can grab some each way money. Happy to oppose Damysus on the basis the Earl Of Sefton form is rubbish and he's never even ran over a mile before.

HF: I’m with Zeus Olympios. He was unbelievable last season. Much was made of his reappearance but I think he ran a good race. Given how lightly raced he is, he will come on a good chunk for that run and kick off his huge year here I believe.

ZC: Surely this is all about Zeus Olympios. Karl Burke reported an impressive performance on the gallops earlier this week for Zeus, and I just think he should and could be the best miler in the country. I was there for his reappearance at Sandown and he looked in need of the run. He certainly didn’t look in the rude health that I saw him at when he beat the Sandown winner Opera Ballo at Newmarket, incredibly, that was the last time Appleby trained a winner; something that I certainly think rules Notable Speech out. I feel that the Gosdens are forced to run Damysus here, and whilst he is beautifully bred, his pedigree certainly points to him wanting further. I would rate The Lion In Winter as being the chief threat, and think he’s good value at 3/1 without the top 2.

CT: I'm a massive Zeus Olympios fan. I expect him to progress again this season and think the price on offer right now looks fantastic.

There's supporting black type races from Newbury at 1.25pm, 2pm and 3.10pm. Any fancies in those?

SD: From a betting perspective, one has to ask oneself the question of whether Charlie Appleby's horses will continue to run like diseased goats. Assumptive of this being the case, Song Of The Clyde makes some each way appeal for the sprint master Clive Cox at 3.10pm.

AS: I expect Kalpana to win the 1:25pm but happy to let her run at even money on her first start of the year. Wise Approach at 4/1 for the Carnarvon (3:10) is very, very tempting but the Charlie Appleby form (0-28 prior to Friday) is a massive concern. Wise Approach is the best horse in the race, so lets hope he can prove it.

HF: The 3:10pm looks a great race. Any other time of the season I would like Wise Approach here but I simply can’t be backing a Charlie Appleby horse right now. Albert Einstein I forgave for his reappearance but wasn’t good enough last time and had no excuses. Royal Fixation maybe on seasonal reappearance but I’m with her. Was a huge fan of hers last year and expecting a big season this time around. Her class should see her through today and then its onto the Royal Meeting.

ZC: What a card! I love Newbury – one of the best tracks in the country with a fantastic team behind it. Kalpana is surely just better than these in the 1:25pm? I’m delighted to see the King with some really talented stock and, alongside Portcullis, Golden Orbit in the 2pm looks full of potential. Now sporting the Ace Stud silks, Royal Fixation gets the weight in the 3:10pm and should simply have too much for these. Like Kalpana, I think she could be top-class.

CT: In the 3.10pm, I think Havana Hurricane's form just tailed off last year, so early in the campaign might be the time to get him. His second in the Super Sprint reads well here and he looks a fair price currently.

And how about the handicaps on that card – anything catching your eye?

SD: Capall Rasa ran a very good race first time up at Sandown and the time compares favourably with that of Lost Boys. He could offer a modicum of each way value in the 3.45pm.

AS: I love the London Gold Cup (3:45). Two for me – My Love Is King is the favourite and the one to beat. But Lost Boys is one I have had my eye on since his recent win at Sandown, where he did a lot wrong and still came out on top.

HF: In the 3:45, Sahara King is one I backed last time at Newmarket. He didn’t look to be particularly in love with the track that day, he was held up that day and Newmarket is also one that favours front runners. Returning to a flat track like Newbury where he was eyecatching when staying on to a good 5th the time before will suit. I think he will put everything together here and can go very close.

ZC: I think this could be the day for Addison Grey (4:20pm), she’s just very consistent. Then Sapphire Steps in the 5:40pm. The form of her reappearance run at this course is rather strong, and she should be backable at an each-way price.

CT: At a big price, Korker in the 4.20pm. Going off just 93 now, he looks very well treated and I thought the last run showed maybe that he is coming back to form. But this race is mega competitive, to be fair.

Anything else you fancy on the flat this weekend?

SD: Twisting Physics has become a stunt double for Lord Lucan. However, if he actually turns up at Newmarket, he should have too much class for them in the 1.20pm.

AS: The final three handicaps on the Newbury card look good, but no prices at the time of writing. So I'll be having a good luck on Saturday morning.

HF: In the 6:38pm at Doncaster, it looks a competitive handicap but I’m with Havana Rum. Ran a very nice run last time after 100 days off finishing second over 5f, winner has since run well at York in a big handicap. The step up to 6f looks a plus.

ZC: Just the focus on the premier racing for me.

CT: Ursa are running two in the 18-runner sprint at Thirsk. We've got Curious River and Changeofmind, who are both very well at home and we are bullish about a big run from both.

All the trials are done and dusted now. Three weeks out, where are you leaning for the Derby?

SD: It would be of assistance if I knew what was going to run in the Derby. Until then, I can't form any strong opinions about what is the greatest flat race in the world.

AS: I think Benvenuto Cellini is a weak favourite at 5/2. Item will be a big contender after his Dante romp, though inexperience will play a part. I've backed Pierre Bonnard this week at 16/1. He was the winter favourite for the Derby and has gone down the 'Aidan O'Brien number one contender' route with two runs in Ireland. I can see him being a market mover. Happy to back him each way at this stage.

HF: I’ve been on Benvenuto Cellini for a while and I was very pleased with his run at Chester, he looks made for this in many ways. Much has been made of stable mate Constitution River but I do think he is a 10f horse and his run at Chester I think was visually more impressive due to his turn of foot, whereas Benvenuto seems a more of a gritty Derby type like last year's winner Lambourn.

ZC: Constituion River would be the one for me. As much as I love Maltese Cross, I just don’t think his style of racing will hold up at Epsom. I feel that Ryan will ride the selection and you can’t look past Ballydoyle at Epsom, with the master trainer claiming six of the last 10 runnings.

CT: I have to say that Constitution River really impressed me at Chester and looks the pick at this stage.

Same question but for the ladies – who is your Oaks best bet at this stage?

SD: If Abashiri turns up (and it is a big 'if', and therefore not a punting opportunity hitherto), I thought she ran a wonderful Oaks trial in the 1,000 Guineas.

AS: Amelia Earhart looks solid as you like to me. She's 5/2 at the moment and that will be gone soon. Nothing else interests me in the Oaks market.

HF: I’m with Legacy Link. I thought she was so impressive the way she won at York. The second is a very nice horse who had race fitness on side and I think she will improve a good bit for that. The form of the Fillies Mile is working out well from last year, with the second and third that day finishing the other way around in the 1000 Guineas – and we will see a better Precise during the rest of this season. She’s bred for this mile and a half trip and think she can be the one to deny the Aidan O’Brien team.

ZC: Again, Mr O’Brien has also won six of the last 10 runnings of this Classic. However, I will be siding with John Gosden’s Legacy Link. Between him and Aidan O’Brien, they have won an impressive nine of the last 10 Oaks renewals. I thought she was brilliant in the Musidora on seasonal reappearance, battling hard to the line and looking like she has stamina in abundance. Felicitas had mach fitness on side that day and I also think she is a very good filly. To me, that’s the strongest piece of form on offer.

CT: I was speaking to Jason Hart at Redcar the day after the 1,000 Guineas and he thought Venetian Lace would run a big race in the Oaks after her impressive third in the 1,000 Guineas.