The third and final day of the three-day Newmarket July Festival is set for Saturday, 11th July, with a Super Saturday of horse racing action on ITV headlined by the Group One July Stakes.
We have gone through all televised races on Saturday, picking out ITV horse racing tips, and an accumulator for ITV racing.
ITV’s coverage on Saturday kicks off with a Maiden Stakes over seven furlongs. Al Wathba is interesting on debut, but Haffner could be set to improve after finishing second on debut at the Curragh last month.
Saddled by Aidan O’Brien, the yard’s runners typically come on for their first effort, and Ryan Moore is booked to take the ride.
ITV’s first race from Ascot on Saturday is a competitive handicap over five furlongs. Toca Madera has dropped to an eye-catching mark, and has run to credit throughout this season.
The Bated Breath gelding was an impressive winner on very fast ground at Doncaster in June, and wasn’t beaten far at the Curragh at the end of last month.
Acts at Ascot after finishing a close fourth behind Cover Up in a handicap over course and distance in July 2025.
Richard Spencer-trained Shallow is a very interesting contender in the handicap over seven furlongs at Newmarket on Sunday.
The five-year-old was rattling home over six furlongs at the track last month, and was only beaten a length by Powdering.
This step back up in trip should suit her chances after previously finishing an unlucky second behind the re-opposing Havana Pusey at York in April. Should have every chance on these terms.
ITV’s final race from Ascot on Saturday is a fascinating renewal of the Group Two Summer Mile Stakes.
This should be a perfect opportunity for More Thunder to come through on the promise that he has shown in two starts so far this season. He had a few re-opposing rivals behind him when a close second behind Ten Bob Tony in the Group One Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot last month.
Looks like a winner-in-waiting over this distance after back-to-back runner-up finishes.
The opening race from York on the ITV coverage this Saturday is a trappy handicap over a mile.
Very few of the runners involved like winning, meaning that the narrow preference is for Cosi Bello. The four-year-old was a battling winner at Haydock over seven furlongs in April, before finding the seven furlongs at Royal Ascot a bit too sharp when only tenth in the Buckingham Palace Stakes.
Stays the mile well, having previously finished a close fourth of 17 at Ascot last July.
Next up from Newmarket is a handicap over a mile. Moonfall should still be on a handy enough mark after showing plenty of ability over the straight mile at Ascot last time when holding off the talented Outback Heat to land the Britannia Stakes.
He has won two from six starts under rules, and has previously won well at Newmarket, including when not beaten far over an inadequate five furlongs in a Novice Stakes on the Rowley Mile. Still looks open to progress over a mile.
The Listed City Walls Stakes is due off at 15:12, and Naana’s Shadow could boast each-way claims at a big price.
The three-year-old has progressed this season, and has been somewhat of a York specialist, finishing a close third over course and distance in May before landing a win on the same terms at the track in June.
Unlikely to have done improving, and well worth a chance now dropped into a listed race for the first time.
One of the big betting races of the day comes in the form of the Bunbury Cup, which is run over seven furlongs at Newmarket on Saturday.
Dark Tornado is an interesting contender for the Michael Wigham yard, which is currently operating at a 50% strike rate. The five-year-old was excellent over course and distance last time, beating Aalto by over a length.
There is a massive difference between the two horses at the prices, and it's well worth chancing the last-time-out winner on the basis that last year's wind surgery has had the desired effect.
A big field of 22 runners go to post for the John Smith’s Cup on Saturday.
Raammee could be set to fire for the in-form Roger Varian yard with two runs under his belt to build fitness. He ran well for a long way last time, before falling to chase down Beagle Bay at Sandown.
This step up in trip is a clear positive this weekend, and that could prove the difference for the lightly raced four-year-old.
Charlie Appleby boasts an excellent record in the Group Two Superlative Stakes, winning each of the last two editions, and four of the previous six.
Al Hudaiba could be the selection worth following, having won two from three career starts. He was an impressive winner over course and distance last month, beating Down To You Kid by just under two lengths.
Only blemish came when unseating his rider at York, but has been faultless when completing races, and looks of the highest quality for a leading stable at this meeting.
The feature of the week from Newmarket comes on Saturday, as the Group One July Cup headlines the card. Venetian Sun will be the horse to beat, but it is hard not to have been taken by Double Rush’s rapid progression through the grades since joining the Andrew Balding stable.
The four-year-old has quickly racked up a three-timer this season, winning on a pair of starts at Newmarket, before taking his form to the next level with a battling win in the 27-runner Wokingham Stakes.
Looks more than ready for this step up in opposition, and Oisin Murphy is a notable booking having won aboard the selection on seasonal return on the Rowley Mile in April.
ITV’s marathon day of coverage concludes with the Group Three John Smith’s Silver Cup.
Tabletalk has run excellently on all three starts this season, and wasn’t beaten far over course and distance by Gregory when last seen in the Listed Ebor Grand Cup Stakes. Rossa Ryan takes the ride this weekend and holds clear claims based on RPRs.
