The Weekend Winners panel turned their attention to Newbury's Saturday card, where the Dubai Duty Free Handicap promises to be the centrepiece of a competitive afternoon. According to At The Races, the race is scheduled for 14:47 and features 13 declared runners competing over 1m2f, with a winner's prize of £31,404 on offer.
Almekarem emerges as the market leader for Sir Mark Prescott following an impressive victory in a 17-runner handicap at Doncaster's St Leger meeting. The gelding faces a 5lb penalty from the handicapper as a consequence of that success, yet tipsters remain convinced of his credentials for Saturday's contest.
Several other runners have also been penalised for recent positive performances. Boyfriend has been handed a weight increase following a string of encouraging runs, while Balzac appears to have regained his form after being gelded, finishing second at Ascot earlier this month.
The race will also feature Gonna Fly, who lines up with the partnership of Rossa Ryan and Ralph Beckett, and Stem, who carries Jamie Spencer in the saddle following a respectable third-place finish at Sandown most recently.
Declan Rix's Selection
Declan Rix identified Almekarem as his pick for the handicap, believing the horse possesses the tactical speed to capitalise on a strong pace scenario.
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.
The tipster highlighted the horse's pedigree as a significant factor in his assessment.
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.
Kate Tracey's Fancy
Host Kate Tracey opted for a different angle, backing Stem as an underrated contender in the field. She pointed to the Richard Hannon-trained runner's recent form at Newbury as evidence of his potential.
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.
Tracey noted that Stem's entry over 10 furlongs represents a change of tactics after competing at eight and 12 furlongs earlier in the campaign.
He's running over 10 furlongs after being ran over eight [and 12] furlongs [so far this season]. I think he has every chance of running his race and at 8/1, I think he's a solid proposition at those odds.
Sam Boswell's Value Play
Sam Boswell took a contrarian approach by backing Merveilleux Lapin, trained by Owen Burrows. The tipster highlighted the filly's unconventional credentials, noting her victory in the Polish Oaks as a distinguishing factor.
I'm siding with a winner of the Polish Oaks - which isn't something I say every day - in Merveilleux Lapin for Owen Burrows. She has been largely consistent since joining the yard without winning and I think she's a shade over priced here.
Boswell acknowledged that Merveilleux Lapin encountered progressive types at Ascot on her most recent outing, yet remained confident in her prospects. He also noted recent positive form from the Burrows stable.
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 Newbury Saturday Card
The Dubai Duty Free Handicap forms part of a substantial Saturday card at Newbury. According to Racing TV, the meeting includes the Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes, the Dubai Duty Free Autumn Cup Handicap, the Mill Reef Stakes, and the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Handicap among its seven races. The card runs from 13:02 through to 16:30, placing the main handicap in the middle of the afternoon's action.
The race itself is classified as a Class 2 handicap for three-year-olds and upwards, which explains the significance of the penalty conditions affecting recent winners. According to Racing Post, any horse that has won a race after 5 September incurs a 6lb penalty in the listed Newbury race, making recent form a double-edged sword for contenders.
What Happens Next
The Dubai Duty Free Handicap will be contested on Saturday 19 September 2026 at 14:47. Viewers can follow the race live as it unfolds at Newbury, with the three tipsters' selections offering contrasting angles on what promises to be a competitive renewal of the handicap.
