Virgin Bet Newbury predictions: Flat finale set for Newbury

It's the end of the Flat season at Newbury on Saturday as they stage day two of the Virgin Bet Flat Finale meeting.

The highlights include the Virgin Bet Horris Hill Stakes (1.50pm) and the Virgin Bet St Simon Stakes (2.25pm) - both Group 3 contests - as they race at Newbury from 1.15pm-4.50pm on Saturday afternoon. 

Our expert takes a look at all of the Newbury action as they wave goodbye to the stars of the Flat for 2022. 

1.15pm - Renegade Brewery Nursery (6f) 

Top-weight in a nursery can be a tough ask at times but BATAL DUBAI should prove equal to it here. 

The Roger Charlton-trained Profitable colt is 2-3 so far including a comfortable Newcastle novice success last month when carrying a penalty. 

With newly-crowned champion jockey William Buick on board here, he looks one to be on the right side of. 

Racing Post Selection: Batal Dubai 

1.50pm - Virgin Bet Horris Hill Stakes (Group 3, 7f) 

A suitable field for this Group 3, with three once-raced winners open to progress and all nine combatants being winners already. 

Sandown debut winner Striking Star is one likely to progress for Charlie Appleby, while Defence Of Port looked useful at Ascot on debut and should have learned plenty from his Sandown appearance in this grade since. 

ANCESTRAL LAND looked useful when making all at Chepstow last month over 6f on second start and, while this is tougher, Clive Cox's Sioux Nation colt should progress again up in trip/class. 

Racing Post Selection: Ancestral Land 

2.25pm - Virgin Bet St Simon Stakes (Group 3, 1m4f) 

With soft going in his favour, HAMISH looks set to continue an excellent autumn. 

William Haggas' charge was second to the season's star stayer Kyprios in the Irish St Leger last month before winning an Ascot Group 3 over this trip with more to spare than a 1¼-length margin suggested. 

He's 2-3 this calendar year and very much the one to beat here. 

Racing Post Selection: Hamish

2.55pm - Conundrum Consulting EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes (1m)

With six newcomers representing some of Britain's top yards, the market will be an essential guide to this maiden. 

Those that have run include Richard Hannon's Mochi, second at Kempton on debut this month and a likely improver. 

Ralph Beckett has enjoyed plenty success with his juveniles this year and LADY BOBA is a smartly-bred Lope De Vega filly that makes sound appeal on paper. 

Racing Post Selection: Lady Boba 

3.30pm - Galloping To Give Stakes (Fillies' Listed, 7f) 

Small Oasis (third) and Tagline (fourth) ran fine races in the Group 3 Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket this month and need consideration as a consequence but MAGICAL SUNSET could be the answer. 

Her debut defeat of Sakheer reads very well now and after fair efforts in major Sales races at Doncaster and the Curragh last month, she was back on track with a Conditions win at Leicester (6f, good to firm) 11 days ago. 

Richard Hannon's Kodiac filly handles soft, though any drying of conditions would be a plus. 

Racing Post Selection: Magical Sunset 

4.15pm - Horris Hill School Handicap (1m2f) 

Mujtaba won in fine style last month at Doncaster over this trip and has since run well carrying a penalty in the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket. 

He's still got scope for better after only seven runs. The filly SPIRIT OF THE BAY has run some fine races in defeat this season at 1m-1m2f and looks a solid each-way contender having failed to land a blow after a tardy start at Kempton over shorter seven weeks ago. 

A short break since will have done her no harm. 

Racing Post Selection: Spirit Of The Bay 

4.50pm - Virgin Bet Supports Safer Gambling Week Amateur Jockeys' Handicap (1m4f) 

An Amateur Jockeys' Handicap to round off the card and TAWTHEEF is worth chancing with trainer Patrick Chamings amongst the winners lately. 

His Muhaarar gelding was second-best behind an easy winner at Brighton this month on his first start after wind surgery and from only 1lb higher in the ratings, he is entitled to build on that now meeting this trip for the first time. 

Racing Post Selection: Tawtheef