Horsebetting.com experts give their betting tips for the Denford Stakes at Newbury on Saturday, 18 August. Antonia De Vega looks value to follow-up her impressive debut success in the Listed juvenile contest over 7f. Boitron is unbeaten in two starts and feared most, whilst The Trader is also worth considering given his trainer’s record in the race. Read our in-depth 2018 Denford Stakes betting tips preview for full details on the chances of these horses.Antonia De Vega value to deliver in Denford Stakes Antonia De Vega created a huge impression when scoring on debut, so looks worth a bet to take the step up into Listed company in her stride and land the spoils in the 7f Denford Stakes which gets proceedings underway at Newbury on Saturday (13:50).
After being held-up in mid-division, the Ralph Beckett trained juvenile filly was asked to make a move to from home by jockey Harry Bentley. She responded kindly to his urgings and, after making good headway a furlong from home, stayed on strongly inside the final 100 yards to beat Zagitova by 1 1/4 lengths.
This daughter of Lope De Vega only had to be driven out to score cosily and was value for more than the winning margin. It was a most taking display which suggested Antonia De Vega was an above average sort and an exciting prospect.
The form has also been given the boost, as the highly regarded Aidan O’Brien trained runner-up has since come out and sluiced up by 4 1/2 lengths in a Cork maiden and got a quote of 25/1 for next year’s 1000 Guineas.
Given the manner in which Antonia De Vega disposed that rival without being asked any serious question, it suggests that she is well worth a crack at this level. Her handler also does particularly well with the fairer sex and Bentley is once again in the saddle.
So, given that she is a scopey and imposing sort who is sure to come on a bundle for that experience, Antonia De Vega looks decent value to go in again at the odds on offer. She therefore had to be the main selection in our 2018 Denford Stakes betting tips.Hat-trick seeking Boitron worth taking onThe betting is headed by the Richard Hannon trained Boitron, who is unbeaten in two outings. In the first of those he was impressive when beating subsequent winner Fox Coach by 4 1/2 lengths over 6f at this venue.
This son of Le Havre then beat Dancing On A Dream by a length over 7f at Doncaster, but that form does not look strong as the runner-up has now had eight starts and failed to get her head in front. She was turned over when sent off odds-on for a poor class 4 maiden at Chepstow earlier in the week where – after looking all over the winner – she threw in the towel late on to be beaten half-a-length by 14/1 rank outsider Hackle Setter.
She is clearly nothing special and far from straightforward, so the fact that Boitron made somewhat hard work of beating her raises some serious doubts about just how good he actually is. The tongue-strap also now goes on for the first time, suggesting there could be a breathing issue.
That may not be the case, but is hardly a positive for the favourite. He also has to give a 5lb sex allowance to Antonia De Vega, who has some fancy big race entries and is clearly held in high regard.
On the plus side of things, Boitron does have the services of Silvestre De Sousa in the saddle and winning form at the track. He has also done all that could be have asked of him so far, but taking everything into account there are enough reasons to suggest that he is worth opposing at the odds on offer.The Trader a player for JohnstonMiddleham handler Mark Johnston has won the race three times since 2006. His sole representative this year is The Trader – an improving sort who looks capable of making his presence felt despite the fact that he now faces by far his stiffest task to date.
Since finishing last of four on debut at Newmarket, the son of Mastercraftsman has gone on to register two easy wide margin successes. In the first of those he made all and stayed on strongly to land a class 5 maiden at Beverley by three lengths.
The Trader was then ridden with more restraint in a class 4 at Chester where he tracked the leaders before being produced to challenge two furlongs from home. He then powered clear to beat Wild Edric by 4 1/2 lengths.
This demands much more, but The Trader is clearly going the right way, has a likeable attitude and is versatile as regards tactics. Unlike Boitron he has more positive than negatives; so, given his trainer’s record in the race, The Trader also had to feature among possible punts in our 2018 Denford Stakes betting tips.Your Next Bet
