Newmarket afternoon racing tips: Best bets for Wednesday, April 17

We begin with some details on our four selected horses for day one at Newmarket, with a full set of tips from the seven-race card at the bottom of the page.

Don't forget to check out the full racecard, results and live odds in Planet Sport's racing live centre.

Good luck and please gamble responsibly.

(Please be aware selections could become non-runners after article's first publication)

 

14:25 (Newmarket) Narkez

Narkez is a fascinating contender for Andre Fabre in the bet365 Feilden Stakes.

He got within two lengths of leading French 2000 Guineas hope and fellow Nurlan Bizakov-owned colt Ramadan last term, with that one impressing with his Prix de Fontainbleau

Narkez opened the current campaign with a six-and-a-half-length verdict over a mile on heavy ground at Saint-Cloud last month, so this nine-furlong trip should hold few fears for a colt with a solid middle-distance pedigree.

 

15:00 (Newmarket) Embesto

Embesto is the choice in the bet365 Earl Of Sefton Stakes after making huge strides last term.

Roger Varian’s charge won his first two starts, winning by six lengths in a Yarmouth maiden on his racecourse debut before following up with a cosy novice victory at Doncaster in June.

Upped to Listed company subsequently, he found an on-form Nostrum too good at Newmarket but while that rival disappointed after, Embesto raised his game to a new level when dead-heating in a Salisbury Group Three with Mighty Ulysses.

A further inching up to Group Two level in France only narrowly failed to pay dividends as he was beaten just under three lengths in the Prix Daniel Wildenstein, looking as though a move up from a mile would be to his liking.

Varian lets him loose over an extra furlong here and Embesto can thrive.

 

15:35 (Newmarket) Dance Sequence

Dance Sequence can book her Qipco 1000 Guineas ticket with victory in the Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes.

The daughter of Dubawi won each of her two juvenile starts, triumphing over seven furlongs on the July course before adding a Group Three victory in the Oh So Sharp Stakes on the Rowley Mile in August.

While she only beat Skellet a neck on that occasion, her performance can be upgraded as she had a lengthy absence between her two starts and looked a bit inexperienced in the middle part of the race before running on the final furlong to great effect.

Trainer Charlie Appleby did not enjoy a stellar campaign by his own high standards in 2023, but he has started this year in fine form and Dance Sequence appears his leading three-year-old filly at this stage.

 

16:45 (Newmarket) Aurora's Beauty

Aurora's Beauty made a pleasing start to career when fourth in a seven furlong Wolverhampton contest. Expected to improve for the experience and longer trip, so a bold bid anticipated.

Bolsena was a useful fifth on reappearance at Newcastle. Brings more experience than other rivals and the booking of Ryan Moore is notable.

Both Poetic Dawn and Miss Justice make their respective debuts maintaining nice profiles.

 

Newmarket tips in full:

NEWMARKET: 1.50 Raatea, 2.25 Narkez, 3.00 Embesto, 3.35 Dance Sequence, 4.10 Bountiful, 4.45 Aurora's Beauty, 5.20 Align The Stars.