Punters Panel: Horse racing betting tips for this weekend

Another huge weekend of Flat racing awaits, with top-level action on both sides of the Channel and plenty for punters to get stuck into.

At Newmarket, Blue Bolt is a warm order to land the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes, while a strong supporting card provides several more betting opportunities. There's also an excellent afternoon at Ascot, where our panel have identified a few horses worth keeping onside.

Then attention turns to Paris, with Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe weekend at Longchamp. Our four racing fans reveal who they're backing in Sunday's main event, as well as their other fancies across the meeting.

And, because we apparently can't go a week without discussing the latest headache for British jump racing, we finish with the early-season fixture problems caused by the unusually dry weather.

Introducing the Odds Now Horse Racing Punters' Panel

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: Regular Races Now viewer and Punters' Panel contributor with a keen eye for the big racing action.

Mark Rogerson: Big sports fan, punter and regular Races Now viewer. @MarkyRodge on X.

Group 1 action at Newmarket – who wins the Sun Chariot Stakes?

AS: I wouldn't be completely shocked if Blue Bolt didn't win. End-of-season filly and she's been on the go since May. But she is 4/9 and that tells you all you need to know. I'm keen to back Kon Tiki in the without-favourite market. Back on a sounder surface and has previously got closer to Blue Bolt than three other rivals in this race.

HF: Near impossible to oppose Blue Bolt here. She’s beaten five of the six others in the field comfortably, and I’m looking forward to seeing her go six from six this season.

ZC: Blue Bolt. I’m a huge fan of Kon Tiki and wouldn’t have her as the outsider of the field, especially back on suitable ground. I’ll be backing her to follow the favourite home.

MR: I’m going to take City Of Memphis to reverse the Matron form with Blue Bolt. She was coming off a four-month break that day and, when she hit the front, for a split second she looked the winner. I can see the pair being much closer this time and the gulf in their prices has tempted me towards Paddy Twomey’s filly.

Any other bets lined up at Newmarket?

AS: Not for me. I think Ascot is the much better punting card.

HF: In the first, I think Pendella will win. She’s firmly on the up, winning two starts ago at Beverley before going to York and going down by only a head to Silver Lake, who has since won again. I think she will just win. The second of my bets is in the 2:10, where I like Sportingsilvermine. His last win came at Newmarket on quick ground, and he disappointed in the John Smith’s Cup before running a huge race off this mark at the Shergar Cup. His last two runs haven’t been the best, but I think that’s been due to the rain-softened ground. Back at Newmarket on quick ground, I think he could run well at an each-way price, especially if the eight run.

ZC: Another two shorties. The king of the sales races should go in again, A Night In Vegas. Then Altius looked clueless at Sandown after being very well supported. It’s muggy, but I can see myself trebling the three on the day.

MR: I’ll be backing Sportingsilvermine in the 2:10. He won the rerouted Old Newton Cup on the July Course and has actually been running better than his recent form figures suggest. He was far too keen when trying to make the running in the Mallard at Doncaster last time, and a return to a more conventional ride should see him go close.

A cracking card at Ascot – any fancies?

AS: I think it could be a day for the favourites. Which never usually ends well for me. Nonetheless, I think Tuco Salamanca (1:50), Tenability (2:25) and particularly Division (3:00) will all win. So I'll be betting multiples accordingly. Division would be the NAP given his recent Group 1 and Ascot form. This is easier.

HF: In the 3:00 Bengough Stakes, I like Prince Of India. He ran a huge race in the July Cup, finishing only a place behind Division while giving him 6lb that day, and he only has to concede 1lb here. He then went to Newbury and finished second over seven furlongs. Considering he took a grip early and raced more towards the centre of the track rather than the far-side rail, which seemed to be the place to be, it was a great effort. Last time out, he was an easy winner at Newmarket. Cheekpieces replace the blinkers, and if he stays around the 5/1 to 6/1 price, he looks a solid each-way bet.

ZC: Oh dear, more favourites for me. I just can’t see how they get beat with ground conditions being what they are! So Regal just wins the first. Then Division in the Bengough – surely it’ll be his day after just being held in a Group 1 in France last time out.

MR: I’m going to take a leaf out of SD’s book and double dip in the 2:25. I’m against Al Aasy and Tenability, so I’ll take them on with Plage De Havre and By The Book. Plage De Havre took the scalp of Dubai Honour last time and powered away in the final half-furlong, so the step up in trip should suit. I’ll be honest, By The Book looked a tricky ride at Chester last time. He hit the front and didn’t do much, but there were fortunes for him in the ring and the right people backed him. Billy retains the ride and I think a more patient approach could see him get his head in front.

Who are you backing for the Arc?

AS: I've long been involved ante-post. But if starting afresh right now, I would back Benvenuto Cellini. You have to be very forgiving of his last run, which was terrible, but before that he won the Irish Derby and ran pretty well in the King George. Drawn well, will stay, likes quicker ground, the choice of Ryan Moore. Daryz is clearly the one to beat but quicker ground in Paris slightly decreases his chances.

HF: I am on Daryz. He has no negatives for me. I don’t think this is the best renewal ever, and he’s last year’s winner. His form has been even better coming into the race this year, and his draw is about as good as it gets.

ZC: This is getting embarrassing now, but again, can the reigning champ be stopped here? Graffard has been bullish in recent weeks, and no more so than after Daryz’s final piece of work; the “best he’s ever had”, apparently. With ground conditions set to suit perfectly, he looks to have a cracking chance of cementing himself in the history books.

MR: Maltese Cross for me. I think William Haggas is a master at bringing these good horses along gradually and improving them as they go through the grades. We’ve seen it before with the likes of Baaeed, Addeybb and Sea Of Class, who went agonisingly close in the Arc herself. Maltese Cross looks like another one who is still improving, and I think this could finally be the horse that gives Haggas his first Arc.

Any other bets for Longchamp this weekend?

AS: I really like Distant Storm on Saturday in the 12:58. He had a nice mid-season break and won well last time. I thought Sunday was a really bang-average supporting card, unfortunately. That Abbaye is a shocking renewal. Aventure in the L'Opera is the best bet of Sunday. She's short enough but looks head and shoulders above the rest to me.

HF: Besides the obvious, the Dollar looks a good race and I fancy Phineas. He looks top drawer, winning races with absolute ease, including last time in a Group 3. I think he will continue his upward trajectory and win this. Much can change for Sunday, so I’ll wait for the final declarations, but I fancy Green Empress in the Boussac. She’s only won one of her starts, but she’s finished second in the other three behind the monster Sun Goddess.

ZC: I may as well carry on the theme; I like the chances of Scandinavia. My man in France is bullish about Naana’s Shadow. He was mightily impressed with what she did last time over C&D.

MR: I think Graffard could have a great weekend and Zaydann in the Prix Dollar (12:58 Sat) looks a decent each-way play. He finished fifth in the Juddmonte at York last time and wasn’t knocked about once his chance had gone. A slight drop in trip and grade should suit and, especially with the extra place on offer, I think he looks a cracking each-way bet.

National Hunt racing is already facing problems and the season hasn’t even started yet. What’s going on?

AS: The chaos has already begun with Chepstow going all hurdles, Ludlow and Warwick calling meetings off. The slow death continues. I may have mentioned that on this column before...

HF: It’s unfortunate circumstances, with the weather just not playing ball. The only slight positive is hoping that by November or December we get the rain and have bigger fields, as horses haven’t run in October. Trainers will probably then say it’s too soft by that point, but we can only hope.

ZC: Just have a look out your window. Brutal!

MR: Jump racing seems to be getting caught between two extremes with the ground. Trainers don’t want to run their horses when it’s too quick, but when the rain comes and it turns heavy they don’t want to run them on that either. Horse welfare obviously has to come first, but in the short term I think there needs to be more flexibility to switch fixtures to courses that can provide raceable ground. It won’t solve the wider problem, but surely it’s better than losing meetings and races altogether.

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