The Weekend Winners panel is back to preview an exciting day of racing from Newbury, with the Group 3 Greenham Stakes taking center stage. A field of eight horses will compete in the seven-furlong event, with Zavateri, trained by Eve Johnson Houghton, and Aidan O'Brien's Albert Einstein leading the pack at the time of writing. Other notable contenders include Title Role, Alparslan, Gonna Fly, and Needle Match.
According to the panel, "This is a highly intriguing race on paper, with the favorite, Zavateri, likely to appreciate the return to a straight track after struggling at Newmarket. However, it's uncertain whether he will continue to improve, given his size and pedigree. I'm inclined to oppose him. "I'm backing Alparslan, who has some ground to make up on Zavateri based on their previous encounter in the Dewhurst.
He drifted to a significant price that day, suggesting something may have been amiss. With a lack of pace in the race, he could potentially secure an easy lead and dominate.
Stay up-to-date with the latest racing news, interviews, and features on your mobile device. Learn more. "I'm supporting Zavateri, who won the National Stakes last season and doesn't have a Group 1 penalty for that victory, which is a significant advantage.
He would need to underperform substantially to be beaten today. "Several other runners, including Albert Einstein and Title Role, have question marks surrounding them, so I'm sticking with the class angle, which I believe should be a shorter price than his current odds. Tune in to Sky Sports Racing today to catch the Greenham Stakes at Newbury, as Zavateri and Albert Einstein go head-to-head, and the Spring Trials weekend gets underway. Other notable racing stories include Oxagon's win in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket for the in-form Gosden team, Azleet's surprise victory in the Nell Gwyn Stakes, and Hollie Doyle's blog on her hopes for Derby contender Wareeth in the Feilden Stakes at Newmarket.
Trainer Evan Williams has been jailed for three years for causing grievous bodily harm with intent in a hockey stick attack on a 72-year-old. "My pick is Needle Match, who doesn't fit the typical profile of recent winners.
However, his trainer has expressed confidence in his three-year-olds this season, and this horse could be one to watch. For the latest horse racing news, interviews, and features, visit Sky Sports Racing.
"He won on soft ground at Newbury, but I don't think quicker ground will be a problem based on his pedigree. He needs to take a significant step forward from his previous effort, but he's a decent price to do so. While the favorite has the standard form, I'm inclined to oppose him in his seasonal reappearance.
Watch the full Weekend Winners episode on the At The Races YouTube channel.