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Betting Tips - Friday 18 July 2025 - Newmarket

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Publish Date: 18/07/2025

Fact checked by: James Leeland

Key Points

My betting tip won this race last year off a 2lb higher mark
He proved he is back to form over C&D when unsuited by his draw last time out
They put first time cheekpieces on as he bids to retain his crown in this race

It’s been a great week already for my betting tips, with a 12/1 winner (30p Rule 4) and a 5/1 second place. For the latter, my selection would have given the winner plenty to think about if he hadn’t made a shuddering error five out. Today we look to continue the fine form with a bet in the 5f Handicap at Newmarket. Short prices aren’t often my style but this one looks rock solid!

If you are new to my content here, I typically post four articles per week. They are usually betting tips, but you’ll also see guides, big race trends and antepost tips occasionally. If you look back through my previous articles, you’ll find antepost picks for the 2025 St Leger, 2026 Cheltenham Festival and the 2026 Grand National. While you still have plenty of time to back these horses, I recommend that you get on at the early prices for the best value. Meanwhile, make sure to tune back in tomorrow, as I'll have another betting tip for you then.

Betting advice

19:00 Newmarket - Rocking Ends @ 2/1 - 1pt Win

Every bookmaker is in agreement on a price of 2/1 for Rocking Ends. On that basis, I’m looking for the best sign up offer instead. There is one that stands out from the crowd on that front, which is Betfred. If you sign up and bet £10, they’ll give you £50 of free bets. A fantastic boost as we head into the weekend action.

Rocking Ends can win back to back renewals of this 5f Handicap

After winning last year’s renewal of this race, and a dress rehearsal last time out over C&D, I think Rocking Ends can now go on and win this year too. In this article I’ll break down the reasons why I believe this will happen. Keep reading to find out why!

Rocking Ends won this race last year off a 2lb higher mark

Rocking Ends turned up this race last year off a mark of 82, and he won in fine style, going away at the line. That performance produced a very strong RPR of 94. It was even more impressive considering that he raced keenly in the rear of the field that day.

Connections now send Rocking Ends back to defend his crown in this race, and he’s definitely handicapped to do so off a 2lb lower mark of 80.

Rocking Ends showed he is back to form last time out over this C&D when unsuited by his draw

Since his win in this race last year, Rocking Ends has blown somewhat hot and cold. However, he showed he is in great form currently with his run over this C&D last time out. He ran off the same mark of 80 as today, and he wasn’t at all suited by his draw in Stall 2.

As a result of his draw, he ended up racing on the near side, in a small group of just two, which proved a big disadvantage to him. Considering where he was drawn, I thought he ran a superb race to finish as close as he did, especially considering the other horse that raced the near side with him was miles behind at the finish.

With a kinder draw today, I think he’ll perform much better, and considering he was just a length away from winning last time, I think he has a huge chance off an unchanged mark!

They put first time cheekpieces on as Rocking Ends bids to retain his crown in this race

I also find it particularly interesting that Rocking Ends is being fitted with first time cheekpieces tomorrow. He often finishes with a flourish, and with this new headgear in place, they may well decide to race him more prominently in the earlier stages.

Given he has won over 6f, we know he stays the 5f trip well, so I’d be all for a more positive ride. I much prefer to see a horse ridden positively, then get passed, rather than sitting in behind and finishing off strongly, but unable to reel in the leaders.

He already looks ready to strike, but the cheekpieces may well be the secret ingredient that gets his head in front again.

Can Rocking Ends retain his crown?

There is a long list of positives for Rocking Ends today. Firstly, we have his course record of one win and one place from three runs at this track, which include winning this race last year. He is handicapped to win, sitting 2lb below his last winning mark, and considering he has won three times before, off marks higher than his current one.

He has a nice draw in Stall 7, so there are no complaints there. In addition to that, he drops from a Class 3 last time to a Class 4 today, which will make his life easier as well. He has clocked up two wins and three places from 10 runs on Good to Firm ground, so the going is in his favour too.

I’m really struggling to find much in the way of negatives for Rocking Ends. The only possible one is that if they do go forward, Night On Earth will likely take him on for the lead. However, on the flip side, they may well just decide to sit in behind Night On Earth and get a lovely tow into the race. I’m not usually one for short prices at the top of the market, but I’m happy with the 2/1 on offer, and I’m playing a full 1pt Win on Rocking Ends today.

Check out these free bet deals!

The list below contains a handful of our bookmaker partners and details the free bet offers that they currently have available. If you don’t already have an account with any of them, I would highly recommend that you take a closer look at their offers and make the most of the value they provide.

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The Discord members enjoyed a very profitable start to July with a four timer landing on the very first day of the month at prices of 11/2, 9/4, 9/2 and 9/2! Since then, they have profited from more winners at 7/1, 15/2, 9/2, 7/1, 11/1, 12/1 and 6/1 as well as many more places.

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