ITV Racing Saturday Preview
READY FOR A SUPER SATURDAY ON ITV? We have 11 races live on the channel with action from York, Newmarket (July course) and Ascot. Bring on the winners!
Make sure you scroll right down to the bottom to see any multiples we are placing. These can be added direct to your bet365 bet slip.
ITV Racing Preview Saturday Schedule
1.45 York John Smith’s Racing Handicap Class 2 1m
2.05 Newmarket (July) Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa Fillies’ Handicap Class 2 7f
2.20 York John Smith’s Silver Cup Stakes (Group 3) Class 1 1m6f
2.40 Newmarket (July) bet365 Mile Handicap Class 2 1m
3.00 Ascot Betfred Summer Mile Stakes (Group 2) Class 1 1m
3.15 Newmarket (July) bet365 Superlative Stakes (Group 2) Class 1 7f
3.35 Ascot Betfred Heritage Handicap Class 2 5f
3.50 Newmarket (July) bet365 Bunbury Cup (Heritage Handicap) Class 2 7f
4.05 York John Smith’s Cup Handicap Class 2 1m21/2f
4.25 Newmarket (July) Darley July Cup Stakes (Group 1) Class 1 6f
4.40 York John Smith’s City Walls Stakes (Listed Race) Class 1 5f
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York 1.45 John Smith’s Racing Handicap Class 2 1m
A bigger field for this handicap compared to the last few years and it looks as competitive as ever. David O’Meara has a good record in this race and YOUNG FIRE looks to have a decent chance. He was been running consistently well over 7 furlongs but did run a big race of the mile 3 starts back. He handles any ground and ran a cracker over course and distance last year and I expect another big run from him especially with a good draw in 7.
There are plenty of dangers in this race including the little race Ajyall who I think could take a big step forward on Saturday. Another one of O’Meara’s I think could go very well is Hortzadar who will like the slower ground and he looks a big price with conditions to suit.
Newmarket (July) 2.05 Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa Fillies’ Handicap Class 2 7f
Quite a few in with a chance here but I backed KINGMANIA at both Leicester and Doncaster the last twice and she hasn’t let me down so I see no reason to abandon her now. She is up 6lb and in a deeper race but she has plenty of potential and she strikes me as a filly with more to offer yet. They’re likely to go a good gallop here and she will be held up and I can see this track playing to her strengths as she looks to swoop through late. The stiff finish allows them to really gather momentum late and I can see her finishing best. Conditions look ideal and her chance is obvious.
Samoot ran a good race when second at Royal Ascot last month with the front pair nicely clear. She is up just 3lb for that and another bold bid beckons. Riknnah made it 3 in a row winning over this C&D on handicap debut a fortnight ago and might emerge as the main danger with the promise of further progress to come.
York 2.20 John Smith’s Silver Cup Stakes (Group 3) Class 1 1m6f
This looks a decent renewal of the Silver Cup with plenty of higher level performers turning up including the likes of HUKUM and Fujaira Prince. Hukum gets the vote after running a cracker in a fair renewal of the Hardwicke Stakes behind the classy Wonderful Tonight and Broome who has won since. Dropping into a Group 3 looks perfect for him and the ofter conditions look just what he needs and he has to be the one to beat.
Fujaira Prince is the main danger after going close in the Irish St Leger last year and he does go very well fresh. He didn’t get my vote on this though as the 4 year old Hukum likely has the scope to improve past him. If one was to surprise at a bigger price Outbox could be the one in the form he is in.
Newmarket (July) 2.40 bet365 Mile Handicap Class 2 1m
I’m all over ROYAL FLEET here for Charlie Appleby. This Dubawi colt is a perfect 2-2 after defying a penalty to follow up at Yarmouth last time. That form hasn’t worked out badly since and the clock suggests he is pretty smart. This is undoubtedly tougher as he steps up in grade but an opening mark of 93 should be within reach. He is likely to push forward too so should get first run on these and with a bit of luck will take a lot of catching.
Kaheall brought up the hat-trick at Chelmsford last month and looks progressive but he still has to prove he is as effective on turf. If he steps forward again then he looks the main danger to the favourite but I wouldn’t rule out a big run from Qaader either as that Britannia run wasn’t a bad effort given he fared best of those ridden prominently in a race that set-up for the closers.
Ascot 3.00 Betfred Summer Mile Stakes (Group 2) Class 1 1m
It is quite rare to have such an open Summer Mile, it is 9/2 the field at the time of the writing. I think the 11/2 available on TOP RANK is the value as he is 3rd favourite behind Century Dream and Sir Busker. Top Rank is never far away in these big races especially at this level. He ran a cracker behind Century Dream at Windsor giving weight away and was only beaten by a length and a half. He should reverse that form and go very close in this.
Sir Busker has the best recent form in the Queen Anne Stakes behind Palace Pier with Top Rank further back but that race setup perfectly for him and I don’t think the pace is in this race to give to setup for him.
Newmarket (July) 3.15 bet365 Superlative Stakes (Group 2) Class 1 7f
Dhabab was an impressive winner on debut at Leicester and he was sent off favourite for the Coventry at Royal Ascot off the back of that. Things didn’t go entirely to plan though and he could only finish sixth. He did still look quite raw so I’m expecting him to keep improving but he is short enough in the betting here and there might be value in opposing. GREAT MAX also made a winning start running on well to score at Newbury and he took a big step forward to finish third to the extremely promising Point Lonsdale in the Chesham last time. That looked a good renewal and with more to come I think the 7/1 is very appealing here.
Dhabab is the danger but Native Trail could go well too as Appleby has won 3 of the last 5 renewals and seems to have hit form lately. This colt justified strong support to win at Sandown on debut and is sure to improve so definitely needs respecting.
Ascot 3.35 Betfred Heritage Handicap Class 2 5f
Seems like the theme for he day doesn’t it, a big field handicap which looks tough. I am having two in this stating with SIGNIFICANTLY who won over course and distance at Royal Ascot on heavy ground. He has always been thereabouts and I think he has a good chance off of a 4lb higher mark. He will need some breaks from stall 8 he looks like he is going the right way.
At a bigger price the 2019 winner of this race TIS MARVELLOUS is drawn ideally in 17 and has dropped down the handicap to a lower mark than in 2019 and I quite fancy him to run a big race up the stand-side at a fair each-way price. The main danger to the selections could well be Only Spoofing who is a previous course and distance winner and could be competitive off of a mark of 90.
Newmarket (July) 3.50 bet365 Bunbury Cup (Heritage Handicap) Class 2 7f
A really good renewal of the bet365 Bunbury Cup and I’ve decided to play the two at the top of the market against the field. AMETIST continued his progression in fine style over C&D last month. He looked briefly tapped for toe before finding his stride and sweeping through down the outside. It was a very good ride to gather him up and even under a 6lb penalty here I think he’s going to go close. He has won his last 4 now and I love his attitude off the bridle so that should take him a long way here.
The other one I like is Britannia winner PEROTTO who quickened up like a very good horse to win at Royal Ascot and arrives here on a hat-trick now. If they go hard it will really suit him and I can’t see how he isn’t going to be bang there in the closing stages. Fundamental makes his handicap debut now and has some strong form to his name so he looks one of the dangers. Jumaira Bay was back in good form winning at Chelmsford and also has to be high on the shortlist.
York 4.05 John Smith’s Cup Handicap Class 2 1m21/2f
Just the 24 runners going to post for the John Smiths Cup this year and it is a difficult to find the winner as it sounds. With these big handicaps the draw usually helps narrow it down but over the last 10 years it has gone from being mid-high draws to lower draws having the advantage. I have found two I like at good each-way prices, both drawn mid-low as all the pace looks to be drawn lows so it looks to be run at pace.
My main bet in the race is LUCANDER who loves it round here at York as he demonstrated with his course and distance win last August. He has been running really well since apart from a blip down at a mile last time in the Hunt Cup. He is back up in trip today on a softer service which suits him down to the ground and he should run a big race at 20/1 at the time of writing.
At an even bigger price WHAT’S THE STORY is another who loves it at York and looks primed for big run. Like Lucander he flopped in the Hunt Cup on fast ground and will be at home back up in trip and on a softer surface. His form behind Top Rank and Kynren looks solid and I am surprised he is 33/1 but that is how open this race is.
The dangers for me are Surrey Pride who I really like and Aaddeey but I don’t really want to be betting at the head of the market from a really wide draw. Astro King is the clear favourite at the time of writing and he is obviously a talented horse but could be best at a mile.
Newmarket (July) 4.25 Darley July Cup Stakes (Group 1) (British Champions Series) Class 1 6f
This is a cracking renewal of the Darley July Cup and I’m going to side with the 3yo DRAGON SYMBOL for Archie Watson and Oisin Murphy. This colt is due a bit of compensation for what happened at Royal Ascot and while it was probably the right decision to disqualify him after he interfered with the second Campanelle I did think it was a bit harsh too as the best horse looked to win on the day. He is still improving with experience and I think he is capable of better yet. He won his first 4 before being edged out by a nose to Rohaan who has improved no end this term and that run last time was a career best proving he can mix it at the top level. This is fiercely competitive but he looks to have a major shout.
Oxted rather picked up the pieces to win the King’s Stand last time and while he is respected he’ll need them to go hard early again to have a chance. Starman looks a bigger danger as he returned with a good win at York and has won 4 of his 5 starts now. Like the selection he is progressive so I expect him to be fighting out the finish. At bigger prices both Glen Shiel and Chil Chil are worth second looks.
York 4.40 John Smith’s City Walls Stakes (Listed Race) Class 1 5f
The City Wall Stakes this year sees some classy contenders lining-up, the standout looks to be WINTER POWER who has been in top form and even her run in the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot wasn’t as bad as it looks as the pace that day was ridiculous and it collapsed to set it up perfectly for Oxted. Before that run at Royal Ascot she won a Listed event over course and distance with ease and a repeat of that would see her win again.
Dakota Gold who is a favourite of mine would be the main danger but usually needs the run so I have passed him over this time. The main danger in my eyes is Moss Gill who won this last year and looks in great form after a good 2nd at Haydock when last seen.
ITV Racing Win Trixie
With a whopping 11 races live on ITV Racing on Saturday we have included a Win Trixie which includes 3 of our best bets on the channel this afternoon. Pays 24/1!
ITV Racing Win Trixie
York 2.20 Hukum EYE CATCHER
Newmarket 2.40 Royal Fleet
York 4.40 Winter Power NAP
Pays 24/1!
ITV Racing Each Way Trixie
With so much good racing on Saturday we also have an Each Way Trixie which consists of three horses we fancy strongly at slightly bigger prices. If 2/3 win we should still make some decent profit. Pays 240/1!
ITV Racing Each Way Trixie
Ascot 3.00 Top Rank
Newmarket 3.50 Ametist
Newmarket 4.25 Dragon Symbol
Pays 240/1!
ITV Racing Each Way Double
With racing from Newmarket, York and Ascot on Saturday we also have two horses running live on ITV Racing that we fancy to go close at slightly bigger odds. If both place we should still get a return. Pays 205/1!