The Weekend Winners team turned its attention to Newbury’s packed Saturday schedule, focusing on the headline event – the Dubai Duty Free Handicap, which was broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing at 2.47pm. In the build‑up, they highlighted Almekarem as the clear market leader, a horse that had just secured a 17‑runner handicap victory at Doncaster during the St Leger meeting.
Despite carrying an additional five pounds compared with his Town Moor run, Almekarem, trained by Sir Mark Prescott, remained the favourite at the time of writing. The panel also mentioned a few other contenders that could cause an upset. Boyfriend, for instance, had been penalised by the handicapper after a string of impressive recent performances, which meant he would start with a higher weight than his form might suggest.
Balzac, another intriguing name, appeared to have rediscovered his best form after being gelded; he had finished runner‑up at Ascot earlier in the month and seemed to be hitting a new stride. Rider‑trainer pairings were also discussed.
Rossa Ryan will be aboard Gonna Fly for the first time under the guidance of trainer Ralph Beckett, while veteran jockey Jamie Spencer will take the reins on Stem. Spencer’s mount has already shown promise, having recorded a solid third‑place finish at Sandown on the final day of the previous meeting, and the team hopes to build on that momentum.
One of the panelists offered a clear prediction: “I think I know how this race will unfold, even though the field is deep this year. The key will be a horse that can settle behind a strong early pace, and I’m backing Almekarem after his impressive handicap win at Doncaster last week. The colt has genuine turn of foot, and his family line is littered with triple‑digit‑rated siblings, so there’s plenty of class in his pedigree. He’s headed the market, but I feel he’s still improving rapidly and can handle the added weight after that strong performance.” Another voice on the show turned the spotlight onto Stem, trained by Richard Hannon.
“Stem is a bit of an overlooked runner here,” the commentator said. “He contested the competitive Spring Mile at Newbury earlier in the season, performed well, and the form from that race has held up nicely throughout the campaign.
He’s now stepping up to 10 furlongs after having been tried over eight and 12 furlongs this year, so the distance should suit him perfectly. At 8/1, I think he offers solid value for anyone looking for a well‑priced chance.” The discussion then shifted to a longer‑shot pick, Merveilleux Lapin, a Polish Oaks winner trained by Owen Burrows. “I don’t often champion a Polish Oaks winner, but Merveilleux Lapin has been consistently placed since joining the yard, even though she hasn’t broken her maiden yet.
She ran well at Ascot against some progressive types, and while the Burrows stable form hasn’t been as strong as I’d hoped recently, they did produce a nice winner at Yarmouth not long ago. At 16/1, she could be a value play for those seeking higher odds.” The panel also reminded listeners that the latest racing news, interviews and feature stories are available on their mobile platform, encouraging fans to stay up‑to‑date with everything from race previews to post‑race analysis.
They highlighted the convenience of accessing Sky Sports Racing content on the go, ensuring that enthusiasts never miss a beat. In addition to the main handicap, the show teased other upcoming fixtures at Newbury, noting that the meeting typically offers a blend of sprint, middle‑distance and staying contests, each with its own set of storylines.
They pointed out that the Dubai Duty Free Handicap often serves as a springboard for horses to step up to higher‑class company later in the season, making it a key race for trainers and owners looking to gauge their charges against strong competition. Overall, the Weekend Winners panel painted a picture of a competitive field with several intriguing angles: a market‑leading favourite in Almekarem, a potentially undervalued contender in Stem, a penalised but improving Boyfriend, a rejuvenated Balzac, and a long‑shot value pick in Merveilleux Lapin.
Listeners were urged to weigh the form, the weight assignments, and the distance suitability when forming their own betting strategies. For those who prefer visual analysis, the show promoted its YouTube channel, where the full episode of Weekend Winners can be streamed, complete with replays, expert commentary and behind‑the‑scenes footage from the Newbury meeting. The channel also hosts a library of past races, interviews with trainers and jockeys, and in‑depth features on the sport’s biggest stars. In summary, the Dubai Duty Free Handicap at Newbury promises to be a thrilling contest, with Almekarem leading the betting market but several other horses offering genuine chances.
Whether you’re a seasoned punter or a casual fan, the panel’s insights provide a solid foundation for making informed decisions on race day.