The Weekend Winners team turned its attention to the bustling Saturday card at Newbury, focusing on the headline Dubai Duty Free Handicap, which was broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing at 2:47 p.m. Their analysis highlighted Almekarem as the clear market leader, a horse that had just secured a victory in a 17‑runner handicap at Doncaster during the St Leger meeting. Despite carrying an additional five pounds compared to his performance at Town Moor, Almekarem, trained by Sir Mark Prescott, remained the favourite at the time of writing. The panel also discussed other notable contenders.
Boyfriend has been penalised by the handicapper after a string of impressive recent runs, which could affect his chances. Balzac, meanwhile, appears to have rediscovered his form following a gelding operation and a runner‑up finish at Ascot earlier in the month. The jockey‑trainer pair of Rossa Ryan and Ralph Beckett will take the reins on Gonna Fly, while veteran jockey Jamie Spencer will partner Stem, a horse hoping to build on a solid third‑place finish at Sandown on the previous day. 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 horse has real turn of foot, and his pedigree includes several high‑rated siblings. He’s the market leader, but I believe he’s still improving rapidly and can handle the extra weight after that strong performance.” Another expert turned his attention to Stem, trained by Richard Hannon.
“Stem is a bit overlooked at the moment,” he said. “He ran well in the competitive Spring Mile at Newbury, and the form from that race has held up throughout the season. He’s now stepping up to ten furlongs after having been tried over eight and twelve furlongs earlier in the year. At 8/1, he offers solid value and has every chance of delivering a good run.” The discussion also touched on a long‑shot pick, Merveilleux Lapin, the Polish Oaks winner ridden by Owen Burrows.
“I don’t usually champion a Polish Oaks winner, but Merveilleux Lapin has been consistently placed since joining the stable, even though she hasn’t yet broken her maiden. She faced some improving horses at Ascot recently, and while the Burrows yard hasn’t produced the form I hoped for lately, they did secure a nice win at Yarmouth not long ago. At 16/1, she could be a value play for those looking for an outsider.” The panel emphasized the importance of staying updated with the latest racing news, interviews, and features, urging listeners to keep their phones handy for real‑time updates.
They reminded fans that the full Weekend Winners programme is available on the At The Races YouTube channel, where viewers can catch in‑depth analysis and behind‑the‑scenes insights. Overall, the consensus was that Almekarem, with his recent handicap success and strong pedigree, should be the horse to watch, but there were credible secondary options in Stem and even the long‑shot Merveilleux Lapin for punters seeking value.
As the race approached, the panelists encouraged fans to consider the pace scenario, the weight penalties, and each horse’s recent form when placing their bets. The Dubai Duty Free Handicap promised an exciting contest, with a mix of proven talent and promising outsiders all vying for a lucrative prize at Newbury.