The Weekend Winners team turned its attention to the bustling Saturday card at Newbury, focusing especially on the headline Dubai Duty Free Handicap, which was scheduled to be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing at 2:47 p.m. In their preview, the panel highlighted the form and prospects of several contenders, with a particular emphasis on Almekarem, who had just secured a victory in a 17‑runner handicap at Doncaster during the St Leger meeting.
At the time of writing, Almekarem was leading the betting market for trainer Sir Mark Prescott, despite carrying an additional five pounds compared with his previous outing at Town Moor. The panel also noted that Boyfriend had been penalised by the handicapper after a series of encouraging recent performances, while Balzac appeared to have rediscovered his form after being gelded; the gelding had previously finished second at Ascot earlier in the month and seemed to be back on an upward trajectory.
In addition to the main contenders, the discussion turned to the jockey‑trainer pairings slated for the race. Rossa Ryan was set to ride Gonna Fly for trainer Ralph Beckett, while veteran jockey Jamie Spencer would take the reins on Stem, a horse that had delivered a solid third‑place finish at Sandown on the final day of the previous meeting. Spencer expressed confidence that Stem could improve on that effort, especially given the horse’s recent exposure to longer distances.
One of the panelists offered a clear prediction, stating, "I think I know how this race is going to work out, even though there are plenty of runners lining up for this year's renewal. I think you need a horse that can settle behind a strong pace, and I am inclined to back Almekarem after his impressive handicap win at Doncaster last week. The horse possesses real turn of foot, and its pedigree includes several high‑rated siblings who have performed at the triple‑digit level.
Although he is currently the market favourite, I believe he is still improving rapidly and can handle the added weight after his recent performance." The same commentator also highlighted Stem, noting, "I am backing the Richard Hannon‑trained Stem, who I think is somewhat overlooked at the moment. He ran well in the competitive Spring Mile at Newbury – a race whose form has proven reliable throughout the season. He is now stepping up to ten furlongs after having previously contested eight and twelve‑furlong trips this year.
At 8/1, I think he offers solid value and has a genuine chance of delivering a strong performance." The discussion then shifted to a less obvious pick: Merveilleux Lapin, a Polish Oaks winner trained by Owen Burrows. The panelist admitted, "I don’t often back a Polish Oaks winner, but Merveilleux Lapin has been remarkably consistent since joining the yard, even though she hasn't secured a victory yet. She appears slightly overpriced at 16/1, and I think she could be a value play for those looking for longer odds.
She faced some improving horses at Ascot recently, and while the overall form of the Burrows stable hasn't been as strong as I hoped, they did produce a nice winner at Yarmouth not long ago." Beyond the specific horse analyses, the panel reminded listeners to stay connected with the latest racing news, interviews, and feature stories via their mobile devices, emphasizing the convenience of receiving up‑to‑date information on the go. They also encouraged fans to watch the full Weekend Winners programme on the At The Races YouTube channel, where in‑depth discussions and expert insights continue throughout the racing season. Overall, the Weekend Winners preview painted a picture of a competitive handicap at Newbury, with Almekarem leading the market but several other horses, including Stem, Gonna Fly, and the undervalued Merveilleux Lapin, offering compelling alternatives for punters. The panel's analysis combined recent form, weight assignments, pedigree considerations, and trainer‑jockey combinations to provide a comprehensive guide for anyone looking to place a wager on this intriguing race.