Key Points
- Today’s betting tip now has his target confirmed!
- This looks an easier option than the Coral Challenge
- With a hefty mark to defy, a drop back in trip could be the key
It’s Coral-Eclipse day at Sandown but for today’s betting tip, we head to Newmarket. It’s not for the Lancashire Oaks or the Old Newton Cup though, it’s for the 7f Handicap at 16:25.
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Today’s Lucky 15, with selections from Sandown and Newmarket, will already be live, so be sure to check it out after you’ve read this.
Betting advice
- 16:25 Newmarket -
No Retreat
@ 17/2 (3 places) -
1pt each way
There are no better odds than at bet365!
At the time of writing, No Retreat is generally priced between 15/2 and 8/1. However, as is often the case, bet365 stands out from the rest by offering the
best horse racing odds
at 17/2. They do this time and time again, so it’s well worth having an account there. All you have to do is sign up and bet £10 you’ll get £30 of free bets. What more could you want?
No Retreat is a Grade 1 winner in a Handicap!
It may have been a “Local Grade 1” in Bahrain, but it was still an impressive win from No Retreat back in January. I think he can win today’s Handicap before tackling higher levels in the UK. In this article, I’ll break down my reasons for rating him so highly.
No Retreat now has his target confirmed!
Sadly No Retreat already owes us money and he hasn’t even run yet! That’s because I tipped him antepost for the
2026 Coral Challenge at Sandown. In that article I explained my case for him including his luckless run in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot and the fact that Oisin Murphy was booked to ride. That was notable given Oisin Murphy’s ability level and most importantly, his record for the stable.
As it turned out, he wasn’t declared for the Coral Challenge at Sandown after all, and he is here instead. I’m hoping he can run a huge race and cover the cost of our lost antepost bet. I won’t be covering the points already raised in the previous article for Sandown, so please make sure to give that one a read. With No Retreat now declared, he almost certainly runs now.
This looks an easier option than the Coral Challenge
Whilst I was frustrated to find that No Retreat hadn’t been declared for the Coral Challenge, I can understand the last minute change of plan. The Coral Challenge at Sandown has a maximum field of 17 runners, with horses rated as high as 110. By comparison, today’s Handicap has just 10 runners declared, and No Retreat is the highest rated horse in the race at 107.
Today’s race is a 0-105 Handicap but in accordance with the race conditions, it is also open to horses rated 106 and 107, so No Retreat just managed to sneak in on that basis.
With a hefty mark to defy, a drop back in trip could be the key!
It’s a big ask to carry 10st 4lb, but there’s a good reason for it, No Retreat is clearly the class horse in the race. His last three runs were over one mile, but he has been dropped back to 7f here. It’s most likely a wise decision to avoid racing over the mile today, with top weight to carry, he could easily struggle to get home.
The shorter distance places more emphasis on a horse’s ability to travel through the race, and produce a turn of foot when asked. No Retreat doesn’t lack in either department and should have enough to give his rivals weight and a beating today.
It’s also worth mentioning the pace in this race. Goldmoyne and Royal Zabeel could both go forward. I would also expect Old Smack Mac and Golden Redemption to be right up there. As a result, there could be a strong pace, which plays into the hands of a hold up horse like No Retreat.
Can No Retreat win our money back?
There are no certainties in this game and everybody makes the wrong call sometimes. My antepost bet on No Retreat for the Coral Challenge was one of those, as he wasn’t declared and we lost our stake. But today we get our chance at redemption.
There is a lot to like about No Retreat here. He is declared for this race and we’re now at a stage where if he doesn’t run, our stake will be refunded. I think this looks an easier race to win than the Coral Challenge, and the drop back to 7f could be the right call, given his class and the weight he will carry. Tom Marquand is booked for the ride, and although he hasn’t won for George Scott, he has six seconds and seven thirds on his record.
In terms of negatives, No Retreat has 10st 4lb to carry , which is a lot for a Flat horse. The mark of 107 could anchor him here against lesser rated horses receiving weight from him. As he’s usually held up, he will need a clear run, so that comes up with its own risks.
All elements considered, I feel he is worth backing at a price of 17/2. Could he bump into one or two better handicapped rivals? Possibly. However, I think he has enough class to win this before competing at higher levels. I think No Retreat’s odds underestimate his chances, so I’m playing a strong 1pt each way here.
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