Newmarket Tips: Consistent Haggas hero hard to stop

A sensational NINE-race card at flat HQ, Newmarket, on Friday afternoon, Nov 3rd. Action takes place between 11.15 and 15.45, in a Betfred-sponsored-races bonanza!

A Group 3 and a Listed contest headline, and among the stars on show we have the likes of David Probert, Cieren Fallon, and Richard Kingscote.

12.50 – Navassa Island @ 4/1

A 6f Listed contest for the fairer sex named in honour of a highly-talented filly Bosra Sham, trained at HQ by the utterly incomparable Sir Henry Cecil.

Navassa Island is handled by Curragh-based Michael O’Callaghan and will be ridden for the first time by Kevin Stott. What a rollercoaster season it’s been for him. She ran well at Ayr last time in a Group 3, running on nicely to finish 3rd.

One has to take on trust somewhat her ability to handle the advertised heavy ground, but there was cut at Ayr and her sire Territories coped well with soft, and very soft.

She probably has the Hannon conveyance Serene Seraph to beat, who is stepping up in class but could be very useful. My colleague Owen fancies her, and I can certainly see his point. I believe the equally progressive Navassa Island can take this to add to her one career win to date, by her home at the Curragh.

13.25 – Hamish @ 5/6

Skinny price alert – we’re expecting this one to be short-ish, but in my book what a gilt-edged opportunity to hoover up this tasty Group 3.

Hamish is the very model of consistency, and comes here on a four-timer. What a credit he is to trainer William Haggas, and when last seen in August absolutely hosed up at Goodwood in the Glorious Stakes.

Last autumn he only just failed to beat Kyprios at the Curragh in the Irish Leger, and that’s very smart form in the context of this Group 3. It’s his to lose for me, and fingers crossed that others are backed against him and that the price holds up reasonably.

Insights – Horse Racing tips, every day