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Horse Racing Betting Tips - Thursday 22 October 2026 - Newmarket

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Publish Date: 22/10/2026

Fact checked by: Jordan Noble

Key Points

Today’s betting tip drops into this easier class off a reduced mark
The going is perfect and he has a favourably high draw
He wears cheekpieces for the first time

For Thursday’s betting tip, we head to Newmarket for the 7f Handicap for horses rated 0-75. We have a field of 15 lining up here, and I have picked one out at 16/1 that I believe will outrun his generous odds.

If you are not already familiar with my content, I publish several articles each week, with the majority being free horse racing tips. You’ll find daily betting tips, antepost picks and a Lucky 15 every Saturday with selections from the ITV Racing. In addition, I provide non-betting content like big race trends, horses and trainers to follow, and educational guides.

With The Cheltenham Showcase meeting taking place this weekend, it feels right to mention one of my antepost tips for the 2027 Cheltenham Festival. If you missed it the first time round, be sure to check out my selection for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which is still available at a fantastic 25/1!

Betting advice

15:30 Newmarket - Kennington - @ 16/1 (4 places) - 0.75pt each way

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As I write this article, the best horse racing odds of 16/1 are widely available, and many are offering enhanced place terms of four places rather than the traditional three. As such, it’s not that angle I’ll be using to recommend a bookmaker today. Looking at the welcome offers available, you will struggle to beat this Betfred deal. If you bet £10 you’ll get £40 of free bets. Make sure you take a look if you’re planning to back Kennington today.

Everything looks spot on for Kennington today!

Kennington has positives coming out of his ears, so it’s quite remarkable that he is available at fantastic odds of 16/1. I think he’ll outrun those odds and in the remainder of this article, I’ll explain why to you.

Kennington drops into this easier class off a reduced mark

After a place on debut in a Maiden Stakes, Kennington won a Novice Stakes on his second start. This sounds like a pretty dream start to his career and it is in many ways. However, it also meant that he received an opening mark of 80, which was too high for him at such an early stage of his career.

The good news is that whilst gaining more experience in three further runs, his handicap mark has fallen 7lb from 80 down to just 73. After competing in Class 4 handicaps, that now allows him to compete in this Class 5 handicap for horses rated 0-75, which is a much easier task for him. In this company, off this mark, I think he’s dangerous.

The going is perfect and he has a favourably high draw

Trainer Hughie Morrison feels that Kennington is at his best with some give in the ground and I agree with him based on what I have seen to date; in particular his high knee action. Therefore, today’s official going description of Soft looks perfect for him and he could really thrive in these conditions, especially on this step back up to 7f, which I also feel will suit on visuals and stride data.

On Newmarket’s Rowley Mile track, and particularly on softer ground, it is advantageous to be drawn high (towards the stand side rail) as they often race up there. As a result, Kennington’s draw in stall 14 of 15 looks very fortuitous. With a lack of pace angle here, I see him popping out in a prominent position near the rail, right where he needs to be.

Kennington wears cheekpieces for the first time

I also find it particularly interesting that Hughie Morrison has decided to run Kennington in first time cheekpieces today. This in addition to the drop in class, the step up in trip, and the fact that he's running off a dangerous mark .

Looking at Handicaps on Turf and AW over the last 12 months, Hughie Morrison had three Handicap winners from eight runners (37.5% strike rate) who were wearing cheekpieces. For context, his overall record for the same period is 14/108 (12.96% strike rate). As you can see, the application of cheekpieces seems to significantly enhance his results.

Can Kennington gain his first Handicap victory?

Kennington has many points in his favour at Newmarket today. He drops in class off a reduced mark, with his preferred ground and a favourably high draw. He also wears cheekpieces for the first time. Statistics show a significant increase in his trainers strike rate when using them this year. I also feel the step back up to 7f is the right call, judged on visuals, stride data and the weak pace expected in this race.

In terms of negatives, his Handicap form figures to date are 097, which are far from appealing. He therefore must prove he can be competitive in Handicap company off this mark. Finally in a 14-runner field with a draw towards the near side, he could be reliant on luck in-running, especially if he is unable to secure a prominent position.

The positives far outweigh the negatives in my opinion and he warrants a solid each way bet at odds of 16/1. I can certainly see him outrunning those odds given today’s conditions, but with his recent form and today's deep field, I have trimmed the stake down to 0.75pt each way.

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