bet365 Old Newton Cup Preview and Odds – Horse Racing Betting July 7

Sofia's Rock looks a solid wager at Haydock

Horse Racing Betting

The Coral-Eclipse is undoubtedly the big race this weekend. A Group 1 contest and part of the British Champions Series, it is regularly the next stop for Derby winners and this year is no exception with Epsom hero Masar renewing hostilities with old rival Roaring Lion. However, as a betting medium, it often disappoints and the Godolphin colt will be a hot favourite at Sandown even if the enigmatic Saxon Warrior takes his chance.

Punters will get more value studying the form of the bet365 Old Newton Cup at Haydock, which had 27 entries at the four-day stage.

Old Newton Cup History and Trends

The Old Newton Cup is actually older than the racecourse that hosts it. The race dates back to 1807 and is now worth more than £62,000 to winning connections. Run over a distance just short of 1m4f, it’s original home was at Newton-le-Willows but the contest was moved to Haydock at the start of the 20th century when that course was closed in 1898.

Recent Old Newton Cup Winners

2017 – Dylan Mouth (25/1)
2016 – Tawdeea (8/1)
2015 – Notarised (12/1)
2014 – De Rigueur (9/1)
2013 – Star Lahib (8/1)
2012 – Number Theory (8/1)
2011 – Halicarnassus (14/1)
2010 – Dangerous Midge (17/2)
2009 – Red Merlin (15/2)
2008 – Mad Rush (5/2)
2007 – Dansili Dancer (15/2)
2006 – Consular (16/1)
2005 – Zeitgeist (9/1)
2004 – Alkaased (7/1)
2003 – Collier Hill (8/1)
2002 – Sun Bird (40/1)

Winning form over 1m4f is the most obvious trend among recent winners as Haydock, despite a sharp turn into the straight, is largely a galloping track and there is nearly always a strong pace.
Only one of the last 10 winners have been aged older than six and only three of the last 16 winners have been older than five.
Every one of the last 10 winners had run in the previous six weeks.

Atty Persse does not fit that final criteria as his last run came in the Great Voltigeur at York last August. However, bookmakers are naturally cautious about Roger Charlton’s lightly-raced gelding given the performance of the stable’s Withhold in last week’s Northumberland Plate. He was also returning from a break and the yard remain in terrific form. Atty Persse, a winner at Royal ascot last year, is currently only a best 11/2 with 888sport.

There is a maximum field of 17 for the Old Newton Cup so several of these nearer the foot of the weights are facing elimination by ballot. That list includes Melting Dew (a best 11/1 with Coral), Koeman (33/1 with the same firm) and Golden Wolf (a general 14/1), although you would be returned stakes if your selection was balloted out and not withdrawn. Eye Of The Storm’s place is also at risk but he would be bucking most trends if he won this race as an eight-year-old.

Muntahaa, a general 10/1, won a Group 3 race last year but will carry top weight if he stands his ground. Teodoro deserves special mention, however, as he’s won on two of his three previous visits to Haydock and proved his stamina at 1m4f last time at Newbury – he’s a general 12/1.

Mark Johnston has won the Old Newton Cup in two of the last five years with four-year-olds. Three of his four entries this year are the same age and guaranteed a run but Silvestre De Sousa, who rode the 2015 winner Notarised, is booked to ride SOFIA’S ROCK so he may be the stable selection. A general 14/1, he is typical of most of his yard’s inmates in that he thrives on racing and is tough to pass if allowed to dominate. The Rock Of Gibraltar gelding made a bold bid to defy a 10lb higher mark at Windsor last week after making all at Haydock earlier. He bounces off a fast surface and looks sure to be in the firing-line again.

Old Newton Cup Current Best Odds

Atty Persse 11/2, Elgin 8/1, Muntahaa 10/1, Melting Dew, Crowned Eagle, Golden Wolf and Teodoro 12/1, Across The Stars, Blakeney Point, Society Red and Sofia’s Rock 14/1, Duke Of Bronte, Now Children, Saunter, Wingingit and Reshoun 20/1, Eye Of The Storm, My Reward, Manjaam and Titi Makfi 25/1, Aclimatise, Koeman, Mount Tahan and Tawdeea 33/1, Maghfoor 50/1 (Odds Correct at 3.30pm On July 4)