ITV Racing Saturday Tips and Previews
ITV RACING IS LIVE ON SATURDAY! We have the Shergar Cup to look forward to from Ascot as well as racing from Haydock and over in Ireland at the Curragh.
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
1.35 Ascot Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash (Handicap) Class 2 5f
2.10 Ascot Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers (Handicap) Class 2 2m
2.25 Haydock Betfred ‘Play Fred’s £5 Million’ Handicap (London Mile Series Qualifier) Class 3 1m
2.45 Ascot Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge (Handicap) Class 2 1m4f
3.00 Haydock Betfred Rose Of Lancaster Stakes (Group 3) Class 1 1m21/2f
3.20 Ascot Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile (Handicap) Class 2 1m
3.40 Newmarket (July) Molson Coors Sweet Solera Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies) Class 1 7f
3.55 Ascot Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic (Handicap) Class 3 1m4f
4.30 Ascot Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint (Handicap) Class 2 6f
4.40 Curragh Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (Group 1) 6f
Ascot 1.35
The Shergar Cup is always competitive and this opener epitomises that. ROGUE LIGHTNING ran to a decent level as a 2yo and has gradually improved this year building on that run behind Quinault to win readily at Doncaster last month. He reacted well to first-time blinkers and if matching that sort of form should be bang there in this despite a 7lb higher mark.
Plenty of dangers in a race like this probably headed by Existent who chased home Lord Riddiford at Glorious Goodwood. One at a massive price might be Dream Composer as things didn’t go to plan last time but his win over Korker at Sandown was quite taking.
Another tricky race but ZOFFEE could be the one to beat now he has been freshened up. He was an excellent second to Metier in the Chester Cup on reappearance and then performed creditably at Royal Ascot behind Ahorsewithnoname. He found the Northumberland Plate coming too soon but is much better than that and I expect him to get back on track here having been given time since.
The danger could be The Very Man under Hollie Doyle as the market is suggesting. He did well over hurdles and back on the Flat shaped well when only denied half a length at Galway last month. He will be bang there at the finish if running to that sort of level again. Berkshire Rocco has been eased another 2lb and could also have a say in this.
Haydock 2.25
This is a race I’m looking forward to on Saturday as ISLE OF JURA has been so impressive the last twice. He has been eased down on both occasions so even with a 14lb rise it is hard to know whether the assessor has caught up. I think he can still improve again so I’ll be keeping him firmly on side. He is bred to be useful and is clearly progressing fast right now.
Poet Master is 2-2 and is another promising horse. He lacks experience but is clearly a nice prospect so might be the one to give the selection most to think about. It really wouldn’t surprise to see the pair dominant and pull clear from the rest. Kathab won as he was expected to at Ripon last time but his form in novice races and maidens prior to that has worked out well so he is another to note.
Ascot 2.45
La Yakel looks opposable here and I think SCAMPI represents decent value. He beat 14 rivals impressively to win at York earlier in the season and hasn’t been performing badly in recent starts. I still think he is handicapped to win a nice pot like this and with Saffie Osborne riding on the crest of a wave at the moment he could definitely be in the shake up here.
The favourite La Yakel was only denied a neck on return at this track and he should have more to come but I think he will be overbet and he could end up proving expensive to follow having already suffered a short price defeat on return. Pride Of Priory shaped well when third at Ripon and if building on that might even be the biggest danger under Frankie Dettori.
Haydock 3.00
Al Aasy is clearly seriously talented but even in victory last time I didn’t think he looked the most straightforward and he is likely going to be sent off a short priced favourite here which I’d have my reservations about. He could win but at the price I’d happily let him. I prefer MIDNIGHT MILE as she stayed on strongly to win at York last time and while she needs to step up to win this she is at least unexposed and seems to be going the right way now.
Of the rest King Of Conquest was denied a four-timer in the Wolferton but he didn’t run badly beaten 4 lengths behind Royal Champion. He is still lightly raced and with headgear applied I can see him getting competitive again. Savvy Victory beat Poker Face at Sandown last month and that horse has franked the form so he must also enter calculations.
Ascot 3.20
There was lots to like about the way PEROTTO won at Sandown last month. A first-time hood seemed to really help him focus and he brushed aside a competitive field quite impressively. He wasn’t seen to best effect when midfield in the Golden Mile at Glorious Goodwood but he was only actually beaten 4 and a half lengths so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him bounce back here.
Escobar is talented but tricky and has a few duck eggs to his name now. He has been given a chance by the handicapper dropped 5lb but wouldn’t be one for maximum faith. Positive Impact failed to fire in Dubai but is another one quite interesting on some of his 3yo form. Hayley Turner also looks a positive jockey booking.
Newmarket (July) 3.40
Soprano looked impressive winning on debut at Newmarket and then ran well beaten 2 lengths in the Albany but I was a bit disappointed last time and she might be vulnerable. I prefer FALLEN ANGEL now who finished in front of the latter at Sandown last time and could be open to greater improvement. Karl Burke continues in terrific form and I make her the one to beat – I can see her going off favourite.
Of the rest Wild Goddess won by 4 lengths at Newmarket last month and could be a nice prospect but she’ll need to step up again. Carolina Reaper was only beaten a couple of lengths in the Chesham and then won over C&D 3 weeks ago. Connections won it last year with Lakota Sioux so she shouldn’t be underestimated either.
Ascot 3.55
Another fiercely competitive handicap and a tentative vote goes to RAJASTHAN for John and Thady Gosden. This Dubawi colt improved to make a winning reappearance at Salisbury back in June and while the handicapper has taken no chances with his opening mark the step up to a mile and a half is sure to suit and he might be able to improve enough to win again.
Golden Move has a similar profile having won at Doncaster last month. I rate the second too so if improving again I think he could be the danger. Like A Tiger was so impressive winning at Newmarket on reappearance back in April but has been beaten twice since albeit only narrowly at Yarmouth. He might still pop up so don’t underestimate.
Ascot 4.30
The winning machine QUINAULT continues to defy the handicapper and he again found more when called upon to prevail at Newmarket last month with the front pair well clear. The runner-up Mill Stream bolted up at Listed level next time out to frank the form too so even up 7lb I expect the selection to take all the beating once more. Remarkably he is still open to further improvement so his chance is crystal clear.
Batal Dubai was given a peach by Oisin Murphy to prevail narrowly at Newcastle last month. If he gets a good pace to aim at he might be the biggest danger in here. He’s A Monster knuckled down bravely to win at Sandown and had excuses at Chester so is another one that could get competitive.
Curragh 4.40
The Phoenix Stakes is always a good race and it has produced some very smart winners in the past with the likes of Siskin, Ebro River and Little Big Bear last year. Caravaggio actually won it back in 2016 and her daughter here PORTA FORTUNA looks to have a great chance. She is a perfect 3-3 to date and ran on stylishly to beat Matrika in the Albany at Royal Ascot last time. She can improve again and beat the boys here.
Unquestionable was unlucky to be grabbed again by Bucanero Fuerte in the Railway Stakes. I actually think the former can reverse that form as he still looks to be learning his trade. The latter will also run well as he is now 2 from 3 and is going the right way. Givemethebeatboys needs to find more.
ITV Racing Daily Double
Both my NAP (best bet) and NB (second best bet) run live on ITV Racing on Saturday. Pays 10/1!
ITV Racing Lucky 15
I have taken four of my best bets on ITV Racing on Saturday and combined them to make a Lucky 15 which looks decent value. Pays 600/1!
ITV Racing Lucky 15
Haydock 2.25 Isle Of Jura
Pays 600/1!