Pete's Paddock Picks
The service has shown promise in its first few days of testing with 5 wins from 6 selections and has been around since 2022. Brilliantly titled Petes Paddock Picks:
December 2024 ended: +£44.78
Year 2024 finished: +£364.90
Year 2023 finished: +£469.27
Results to £1 stakes
1:55 pm Newbury – Queensbury Boy (Nap)
Queensbury Boy is hard to oppose based on the strength of his Doncaster win earlier this month.
He’s only been beaten
once in four career starts – by Wingmen at Punchestown, who went off at 6/1 for the Albert Bartlett – and his dominant Doncaster success showed he’s still progressing. The quick turnaround isn’t a concern given how comfortably he won, and Harry Derham’s yard has been in strong form recently.
David Maxwell retains the ride, and while he’s not the strongest jockey in the weighing room, he has enough experience to guide Queensbury Boy to another win in a
race lacking depth.
Captain Bellamy is the main threat, but he’s penalised after being disqualified at Newbury in December, which gives Queensbury Boy the edge.
✅ Recommendation: Queensbury Boy (Nap) – 10/11 with Bet365
2:30 pm Newbury – Ilovethenightlife (Each-Way)
Ilovethenightlife looks well-handicapped,
especially on this better ground.
She’s been out of form over fences, but this is a significant drop in class, and Joe Tizzard applies a first-time tongue-tie, which could make the difference. She’s only 1 lb higher than her last winning mark over hurdles, and the switch back to timber makes sense after struggling over fences.
The mare won this meeting two years ago and clearly handles Newbury well. Her tendency to jump right is a small
concern, but the track’s long straight gives her time to recover. The better ground is a definite positive.
Act Of Diplomacy is respected but has yet to prove himself at this trip. Ilovethenightlife looks solid each-way value.
✅ Recommendation: Ilovethenightlife (Each-Way) – 8/1 with Bet365 (3 places)
4:02 pm Newbury – Stormy
Flight
Stormy Flight is down to his last winning mark and looks ready to strike under a valuable 7 lb claim from Chad Bament.
He’s shown flashes of ability this season, particularly when finishing second at Wincanton in January. His record on left-handed, flat tracks is solid, and the ground should be ideal.
Sherborne is well-handicapped after his Exeter win, but he’s vulnerable over this extended trip, while
Stormy Flight is proven at the distance and should go close if jumping cleanly.
The 11-year-old may not have much improvement left, but his mark makes him a live contender, and the jockey’s claim is a huge bonus.
✅ Recommendation: Stormy Flight – 11/2 with Bet365
5:00 pm Musselburgh – Harrar
Harrar is lightly
raced and has plenty of upside from his current mark.
He scored comfortably at Catterick last time despite idling late on, and the 4 lb rise looks lenient given how strong that form looks now. His flat ability (rated 68) suggests he has more to offer over hurdles, especially at this extended trip.
Heart Above is a threat after his comeback run here last month, but Harrar’s scope for improvement gives him the edge. If the ground remains on the
softer side of good, he should go very close.
✅ Recommendation: Harrar – 5/1 with William Hill
✅ Best Bets:
✔️ Queensbury Boy (Nap) – 10/11
✔️ Ilovethenightlife (Each-Way) – 8/1
✔️ Stormy Flight – 11/2
✔️ Harrar – 5/1
