The Weekend Winners team turned its attention to the bustling Saturday schedule at Newbury, focusing especially on the headline event, the Dubai Duty Free Handicap, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing at 2:47 p.m. The panel offered a detailed preview of the race, highlighting the form, the handicappers' adjustments, and the strategic angles they believe will shape the outcome. Almekarem, the horse that captured a 17‑runner handicap at Doncaster during the St Leger meeting, is currently leading the betting market for trainer Sir Mark Prescott.
At the moment of writing, the odds reflect his status as the favorite, even though the handicapper has added five pounds to his weight since his performance at Town Moor. The panelists noted that this weight increase is a testament to his recent strong showing, and they expect the extra burden will not deter his chances.
Another contender, Boyfriend, has also been hit with a penalty from the handicapper after delivering a series of impressive runs. The added weight is intended to level the playing field, but the panel believes Boyfriend still possesses enough class to be competitive. Meanwhile, Balzac appears to have rediscovered his form after being gelded; the horse finished a close second at Ascot earlier in the month, suggesting that the recent change may have unlocked additional stamina and focus. The race also features a partnership between jockey Rossa Ryan and trainer Ralph Beckett on the mount Gonna Fly.
The duo has shown promise in previous outings, and they are expected to target a strong finish. In addition, veteran jockey Jamie Spencer will take the reins on Stem, a horse that recorded a solid third place at Sandown on the final day of that meeting.
Spencer’s experience, combined with Stem’s upward trajectory, makes this entry a noteworthy one. "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 one that will settle behind this strong pace and I am going to side with Almekarem after he landed a nice handicap at Doncaster last week," one panelist explained.
"The horse has got gears, with the family having plenty of progression with triple‑digit‑rated siblings. He heads the market, but I think he is on a rapid improve and can take the beating on the back of a good performance last week." The discussion then shifted to Stem, trained by Richard Hannon.
The commentator praised the horse as a somewhat overlooked contender: "I am with the Richard Hannon‑trained Stem, who I think is a little bit forgotten about here. He ran in the competitive Spring Mile at Newbury – where he ran well and the form of that race has worked out throughout the season. He's now stepping up to 10 furlongs after having been tried over eight and even 12 furlongs this season. I think he has every chance of running his race and at 8/1, he is a solid proposition at those odds." The panel also highlighted Merveilleux Lapin, a winner of the Polish Oaks, as a potential value bet.
Though the horse has not yet secured a win since moving to Owen Burrows' stable, the panelist noted her consistency and suggested she may be slightly overpriced at 16/1. "She bumped into some progressive types at Ascot last time and although the Burrows stable form isn’t as good as I was hoping recently, he did have a nice winner the other day at Yarmouth.
At 16/1, she will probably be the value play for me," the analyst added. Beyond the individual horse assessments, the panel provided broader context for the race. The Dubai Duty Free Handicap traditionally attracts a mix of sprinters stretching out in distance and staying types dropping back.
The weight assignments this year reflect the handicapper’s attempt to balance the field, making tactical speed and the ability to settle behind a strong early pace crucial factors. Jockeys who can position their mounts just off the leaders and then unleash a late burst are likely to have the edge. In terms of training patterns, Sir Mark Prescott’s preparation of Almekarem has been meticulous, with the horse showing progressive improvement in each of his recent outings. The five‑pound penalty, while a hurdle, also signals that the handicapper recognizes his genuine ability, which often translates into confidence for the connections.
Similarly, Richard Hannon’s patient handling of Stem, giving the horse a range of distances to find his optimum trip, suggests that the trainer believes the 10‑furlong test at Newbury will suit the horse’s stamina profile. The panel also touched on the importance of track conditions.
Newbury’s galloping, left‑handed oval typically offers a fair surface that can favor horses with a strong turn of foot. If the ground holds up as good to soft, it could benefit the more robust stayers like Balzac, whereas a firmer going might accentuate the speed of Almekarem and Gonna Fly. Jockeys will need to gauge the pace carefully, as a too‑fast early tempo could expose the stamina limits of some runners, while a slower tempo could set the stage for a late‑running horse to swing through. For fans and bettors alike, the panel encouraged staying tuned to Sky Sports Racing for live updates, in‑race commentary, and post‑race analysis.
They also reminded viewers that the Weekend Winners programme, available on the At The Races YouTube channel, provides in‑depth interviews, expert tips, and behind‑the‑scenes insights that can enrich the racing experience. In summary, the consensus among the Weekend Winners experts leans heavily toward Almekarem as the top pick, with Stem and Balzac as credible secondary options, and Merveilleux Lapin offering attractive odds for those seeking value. The race promises a blend of seasoned talent and emerging promise, set against the backdrop of Newbury’s classic course.
Whether you are a seasoned punter or a casual fan, the Dubai Duty Free Handicap delivers the excitement, tactical intrigue, and potential for a surprise that makes British flat racing so compelling. Never miss a story with the latest racing news, interviews, and features on your phone. Find out more by following Sky Sports Racing’s digital platforms for real‑time updates and exclusive content.