Flat turf horse racing is well and truly back with action returning to Newmarket from Tuesday to Thursday.
talkSPORT BET ambassador and jockey Neil Callan does some shopping at racing HQ for the first and second day of action.
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Neil Callan betting specials
- Callan 2+ winners at Newmarket today – 14/1
- Callan will be placed in Bretton Wood, Amazon and only in Jakarta – 20/1
Neil Callan’s reserved rides at Newmarket
Tuesday
- 1h20: Bretton Wood 16/1
- 4.05: The Amazon 9/2
- 4:40 p.m.: Only in Jakarta 15/2
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Wednesday
- 3:00 p.m.: Hello Royal
- 5:20 a.m.: Amigo atmosphere
Callan said: “The season really starts now, this is the most exciting part. For me, the Craven Meeting is the start of the season!
“I have three decent races on the first day at Newmarket.”
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Bretton wood
The market is dominated by Godolphin-owned duo Hallasan and Al Qudra, ridden by William Buick and James Doyle respectively for trainer Charlie Appleby.
But Callan has won an impressive sum at this course over the years with 19 victories and he joins Bretton Wood, trained by James Owen, who is one of the great outsiders in the field.
This is a classic two-year-old race where anything can happen in the fast sprint to the finish, and many often need to run to gain that experience.
Bretton Wood has an incredible pedigree to match and therefore cannot be ignored.
Callan added: “I’ve done quite a bit of work with him at home. He’s not very big but I think he has the ability for a race like this.”
“Normally for these two-year-olds, when they come to Newmarket, they haven’t run, they haven’t been tested, so you’re kind of going in the dark.
“Obviously he’s very well behaved, but we don’t know what we’re going to face. It’ll be interesting to see how he performs his first time.”
The Amazon
Callan explains: “I also ride one of the James Tates in the Maiden, The Amazon.
“He was a really nice horse when I rode him last season, but he had some issues and needed a bit of time, so this is his 1st running at the age of three.
“If he shows anything like he showed last year, I think he has a very promising season ahead of him.”
Tate won this race in 2019 and this colt has been waited until he is ready, with a price tag of 150,000gns as a two-year-old, so he will have plenty of ability.
Only in Jakarta
There are two at the top of the betting in this competition with Eye Of Dubai and Brunel Nation, with the rest of the field starting around 8, led by Only In Jakarta.
The colt showed promise in defeat and eventually took off at Newcastle, moving up to 7f and is unexposed at this distance in only his second race in 2024.
Callan added: “I’m riding another one for Kevin Ryan in the Handicap, Only In Jakarta, winner on his last all-weather start.
“His form on the turf last year was good as a two-year-old. He comes here winning; Kevin Ryan’s horses are in good form.
“We have three good chances on Tuesday which will hopefully give us a strong start to the season!”
Hello Royal
Callan plans to race the second day of the Craven Meeting with two other races: “On Wednesday I’m riding Kevin Ryan’s Hi Royal. Last season Hi Royal was a very credible second in the 2000 Guineas.
“His form since then has been a bit hit and miss against strong opposition, but this is his first race of the year after his first wind operation.
“We hope this will make him come out strong and show what he can do. It’s a race I’ve won before, a very competitive race but it’s open.
“I hope he can replicate his huge run in last season’s 2000 Guineas and it would be great if he could strike while the iron is hot at the start of the season.”
Ambiente Amigo
“Then I have a filly for James Owen called Ambiente Amigo, she works very well. She was very popular last year, she’s a nice filly and we have a lot of hope for her.”
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