ITV Racing Saturday Tips and Previews

THE DEWHURST TAKES CENTRE STAGE ON SATURDAY! More racing from Newmarket live on ITV Racing plus action from York as well.

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 Saturday Schedule

1.50 Newmarket Godolphin Flying Start Zetland Stakes (Group 3) 1m2f
2.05 York Coral Rockingham Stakes (Listed Race) 6f
2.25 Newmarket Emirates Autumn Stakes (Group 3) 1m
2.40 York Coral “Beaten-By-A-Length” Free Bet Handicap (Class 2) 1m21/2f
3.00 Newmarket Darley Dewhurst Stakes (Group 1) 7f
3.15 York Coral Sprint Trophy Handicap (Class 2) 6f
Newmarket 3.40 Club Godolphin Cesarewitch Handicap (Class 2) 2m2f

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Newmarket 1.50

This really doesn’t look a strong Zetland Stakes and FLYING HONOURS should take all the beating. He only lost out by half a length over course and distance in the Group 2 Royal Lodge a fortnight ago. That race turned into a sprint that didn’t really suit the son of Sea The Stars and a decent pace here should really help him. He is clearly the one they all have to beat.

Dear My Friend rates the main danger with his form behind Victoria Road looking pretty solid with the second winning easily on Arc Day at Longchamp. On all known form it would take a big step forward for one of the others to win this.

York 2.05

Bolt Action hasn’t done much wrong chasing home Treasure Trove, Shouldvebeenaring and Prince Of Pillo before winning at Salisbury and will likely be hard to beat but I am going to side with ALPHA CAPTURE for Haggas. This son of Cotai Glory brings plenty of potential to the table and only missed out by a short head at Doncaster last month. The winner Cold Case has franked that form since and with more improvement to come I think he might be worth chancing.

Rousing Encore chased home the exciting Sakheer in the Mill Reef and is also worth noting. Felix Natalis bolted up in Ireland last time and that was impressive but this is obviously a big step up on that so he will need more but definitely has lively claims from an each way point of view.

Newmarket 2.25

Compared to the first race on the card this looks highly competitive with the top 4 in the market looking especially promising. I have sided with HOLLOWAY BOY who shocked plenty when taking the Chesham at Royal Ascot. He followed that up with two second-place finishes at Group level. His run behind Nostrum (favourite for the Dewhurst) was very impressive considering he had missed a bit of time and the Champagne Stakes. If coming on for that run he will be bang there at the finish.

Silver Knott has to be the main danger with Godolphin dominating this race over the years. He was on a hat-trick before running below par behind Chaldean at Doncaster. The yard have said the ground was too soft and I expect a much better run here but he does have to give weight away to the field. Epictetus could really be anything and Dancing Magic’s run behind the classy Naval Power could see him run a big race as well.

York 2.40

It’s disappointing to see just 6 horses head to post for this. I’m going to side with MARCHING ARMY for Saeed bin Suroor. He comes here chasing a hat-trick and showed a great attitude to get in front where it mattered again at Newbury last month. He had Stay Well back in fifth that day and well held and should confirm that form again here. He is still just a 4yo so should keep improving for a while yet.

Protagonist disappointed last time but had won two previously and if bouncing back has to be feared most in here. He is more exposed than the selection though. Saga was obviously hugely eye-catching in the Britannia but has blown out twice since and is hard to fully trust now. Definitely a tricky horse to catch right.

 

Newmarket 3.00

Some of the gloss was taken off this race with Sakheer not lining up but it should still be a very good race with plenty of pointers for next season. I have no doubt Nostrum is a classy sort but the last horse to win this after just two runs was Shamardal in 2004 so I am going to take a chance on the owners other runner in CHALDEAN. He has won his last 3 over 7 furlongs and is screaming out for further. He seems to just keep finding and they clearly knew what they had when he dominated the 3-runner Champagne Stakes last time. Stepping up to a mile here he won’t be far away.

Nostrum will be the main danger after two eye-catching wins but as I mentioned my only lingering doubt is the amount experience he has. Class could get him through it but at a short price I had to pass on him. Naval Power is 4 from 4 with a couple of nice wins at Listed level and the yard fully expect him to be improving coming into this race and onwards as a 3 year old.

 

York 3.15

This is obviously fiercely competitive but in truth in recent years it has been pretty straightforward to find the winner in the fact that there hasn’t really been any huge upsets. I’m backing two though and I really like LETHAL NYMPH for Clive Cox. He beat an in-form Mums Tipple at Ascot and then backed that up beating another upwardly mobile type in Aphelios last week. He is up 7lb but is clearly thriving right now and another huge run beckons.

I’m also backing POPMASTER for Ed Walker. This grey has form that ties in with my initial selection having gone down just a length on penultimate start. He wasn’t as good at Ayr last time but I think I can put a line through that. His form with Rohaan in the Wokingham is obviously really strong and if he bounces back here he will go close at a massive price. Plenty of dangers obviously likely headed by Dusky Lord who won nicely last time and is definitely capable of taking a prize like this. Lucky Man and Mr Wagyu also has to make your shortlist.

 

Newmarket 3.40

It was so sad to hear the passing of Adagio as he was a cracking horse over hurdles and added an intriguing angle in this race. Irish Cesarewitch winner and favourite Waterville was also ruled out on the same day. It leaves us with a field of under 30 for the first time in over 20 years. I have two bets in the race with GIBRALTAR the shorter of the two. Willie Mullins has a great record in the race and I think this will be his best chance of his 3 in here. He comes here on a hat-trick after two wins going away over in Ireland. Based on his best run over hurdles he could be very well-in and then Saffie Osborne takes off 3lb for good measure. He will be coming home strongly late on.

At a much bigger price CALL MY BLUFF looks weighted to go close again. He has gone well in his last two runs at this trip (both last month) finishing second and third by fine margins. He is dropped a pound for his last run and I think he will run a big race at a cracking price. The favourite at the time of writing Ahorsewithnoname is the obvious threat to all for Nicky Henderson who won this last year with Buzz and Ryan Moore jocked-up who rides these staying races better than most. He ticks most of the boxes with great form at staying trips but I don’t think there is much value in his price in a race of this nature.

ITV Racing Lucky 15

I’ve placed a Lucky 15 on the main races on ITV Racing on Saturday. Pays 212/1!

ITV Racing Lucky 15

York 2.05 Alpha Capture NEXT BEST

Newmarket 2.25 Holloway Boy

York 2.40 Marching Army

Newmarket 3.00 Chaldean EYE CATCHER

Pays 212/1!