ITV Racing Tips – Friday 1st May 2026 Best Bets for Newmarket, Ascot & Goodwood

A stacked afternoon of racing is set for ITV on Friday, 1st May, as Newmarket hosts the first day of its Guineas meeting, while Ascot hosts trials day for Royal Ascot.

We have gone through all televised races on Friday, picking out ITV horse racing tips, and an accumulator for ITV racing.

ITV’s coverage on Friday kicks off with the Listed Newmarket Stakes over a mile and two. Archers Bay will have the fitness advantage on his side in this field, and he made a striking impression when winning over course and distance a few weeks ago.

Has progressed well since leaving the Aidan O’Brien yard and joining Marco Botti. Tom Marquand is aboard today, and he still boasts a progressive profile of serious interest.

Ascot joins the ITV party at 14:35, when the Group Three Sagaro Stakes is staged over two miles. Caballo De Mar is more unexposed than most in the field, and the five-year-old for George Scott should strip fitter after a close second behind Fairy Glen on return in a Group Two in Meydan last month.

Twice won over longer trips in stakes company in France last year, and William Buick will be back aboard just as he was in the Middle East.

Next up is a handicap over a mile at Newmarket. Lake Como should strip fitter after a return run on the all-weather at Kempton last month.

Was progressive at the end of last season, winning on back-to-back starts with Billy Loughnane aboard. The rider is back aboard this weekend, and he could be a decent chance to open his account on the turf for an in-form yard.

Next up is the Group Three Commonwealth Cup Trial Stakes. Coppull should be set for a big three-year-old season for the Clive Cox yard, having won impressively over six furlongs at Goodwood last July.

Was well held at Deauville when the course didn’t suit, before he wasn’t beaten far by Wise Approach in the Group One Middle Park Stakes. Better on these terms, and well worth a go at this level.

The Group Two Jockey Club Stakes is next up from Newmarket. Lion’s Pride looks primed for a big run after two below bar efforts to get back up to speed at Doha and Newbury.

The John & Thady Gosden yard is in excellent form, and this step back up in trip is a big plus after winning by a dominant seven-length margin from Isle Of Jura over course and distance in September.

Goodwood is also covered on ITV this Friday, with the Listed Daisy Warwick Fillies’ Stakes due off at 15:50. William Haggas has had joy with his runners first time out this season, and the unexposed Kissmehoneyhoney is of interest on her second career start.

She showed plenty of ability when winning on debut at Leicester last September, and further improvement is expected now she is up in trip.

The final race on ITV this Friday is the Nifty 50 Handicap. Leadman is back down to an attractive mark for the David O’Meara yard.

The six-year-old has a recent run under his belt, and a return to Newmarket is a positive for his chances. Was a winner over seven furlongs at the track last July, and should be capable of exploiting this mark in the near future.