The Weekend Winners panel is back to preview a major racing event at Newbury, with the Group 3 Greenham Stakes taking center stage. Eight contenders are set to compete in the seven-furlong race, with Zavateri, trained by Eve Johnson Houghton, and Aidan O'Brien's Albert Einstein currently leading the pack.
Other notable participants include Title Role, Alparslan, Gonna Fly, and Needle Match. According to one expert, "This race is really intriguing on paper. The favorite, Zavateri, struggled at Newmarket and will likely thrive on the straight track. However, it's uncertain whether he will continue to improve, given his size and pedigree.
I'm going to bet against him. I'm backing Alparslan, who has some ground to make up against Zavateri based on their previous meeting in the Dewhurst. He was a huge price that day, which suggests something was amiss.
With a lack of pace in this race, he could take an easy lead and dominate. Stay up-to-date with the latest racing news, interviews, and features on your mobile device. Learn more.
Another expert agrees, "I'm with Zavateri, who won the National Stakes last season and doesn't have a Group 1 penalty for that win here - a significant advantage. He would need to underperform substantially to be beaten today. There are many question marks surrounding other runners, such as Albert Einstein and Title Role, so I'm sticking with the class angle - who I believe should be a lot shorter than his current price. Today on Sky Sports Racing: Zavateri and Albert Einstein face off in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury.
Today on Sky Sports Racing: The Spring Trials weekend kicks off at Newbury. Newmarket: Oxagon wins the Craven Stakes for the in-form Gosden team. Newmarket: Azleet enters 1000 Guineas contention after a 50-1 Nell Gwyn Stakes win.
Hollie Doyle blog: Hoping to learn more about Derby hope Wareeth in the Feilden Stakes at Newmarket. Evan Williams: Trainer sentenced to three years in prison for causing grievous bodily harm with intent over a hockey stick attack on a 72-year-old. Another expert says, "I'm backing Needle Match, who doesn't fit the typical profile of recent winners.
However, his trainer has made comments suggesting he has some promising three-year-olds this season, and this could be one of them. Check out the latest horse racing news, interviews, and features from Sky Sports Racing. He won on soft ground at Newbury, but I don't think quicker ground will be an issue based on his pedigree. He needs to take a huge step forward, but he's a decent price to do so.
Don't underestimate the favorite, who has the standard form, but I want to bet against him in his seasonal debut. Watch the full Weekend Winners episode on the At The Races YouTube channel.