Eight live races will be covered on ITV this Saturday, with the action headlined by the Group Two Hungerford Stakes at Newbury. One race from Newmarket and two from Ripon will also be broadcast.
We have gone through all televised races on Saturday, picking out ITV horse racing tips, and an accumulator for ITV racing.
ITV’s coverage this weekend kicks off with the Group Three Geoffrey Freer Stakes. Dubai Honour may be vulnerable after a layoff, meaning that the narrow preference is for Tabletalk to reverse the Group John Smith’s Silver Cup form with Mount Atlas.
The Tom Clover runner was only beaten a head on that day and he gets a 3lb pull at the weights at Newbury. The selection has run well at Newbury on a couple of occasions during his career, including when second on fast ground over a mile and four in the Group Three John Porter.
Has run some stormers this season, including when runner-up in the Ebor Grand Cup Stakes and fifth in the Group Three Sagaro. Due a change of luck, Saffie Osborne takes the ride.
The in-form Harry Charlton yard is represented by Hypnotised in the handicap over five furlongs on Saturday.
The three-year-old showed plenty of improvement on his first start after being gelded at Sandown at the end of last month, finishing within three lengths of Wheels Of Fire when second.
Was eye-catching from the back of the field on that day after rearing left out of the stalls. Had shown ability over five furlongs previously when winning easily on the all-weather at Kempton. Well-handicapped on these terms and capable of going close.
Racing from Newmarket is also covered on ITV this weekend, with a handicap over six furlongs due off at 14:10.
Previous course and distance winner Strike should still be well-treated for the Jonathan Portman yard, and Billy Loughnane is an eye-catching booking in his race for the Jockeys’ Championship.
The eight-year-old won at Newbury on his last start, and has finished in the first three on three of his last four appearances. A return to Newmarket should suit his chances.
A handicap over seven furlongs is next up from Newbury, and Stellar Sunrise ticks plenty of the right boxes.
He was underwhelming on his return to the track after being gelded, finishing 14th in the Moet & Chandon International Handicap at Ascot last month. However, the application of first-time headgear should see him in a better light this weekend.
The Andrew Balding runner also has previous course and distance form on good ground at Newbury, having won impressively by two lengths from Colori Forever in April. Plenty to like.
Two races are also covered from Ripon this Saturday, including the Silver Cup Handicap.
Tim Easterby has a strong record at the track, and due to that, it could be challenging to overlook Go Vince Go. David Allan will be aboard the Invincible Army colt, who was last seen finishing a close third behind Explosive Finnish at York over an extended five furlongs.
This step back up to six furlongs should suit, having previously stayed this trip well when winning off a mark of 76 at Hamilton last year. Rated just 2lb higher today, and plenty to suggest a big run is incoming.
The Group Two Hungerford Stakes headlines the action on Saturday. William Haggas has won three of the last six editions of the race, including each of the previous two.
Therefore, Extremely Zain could be handed a second opportunity to excel. It aids his chances that only two of the last 12 winners had won on their previous start before scoring in the Hungerford.
The three-year-old has largely been progressive this season, including an eye-catching win over seven furlongs at York in June. He was beaten only two lengths when fourth in the Moet & Chandon International Handicap last month when racing keen and hampered.
Should be suited by the test posed by Newbury, having won over course and distance as a juvenile by a neck on fast ground last May.
The penultimate race on ITV this Saturday is the Great St Wilfrid Handicap.
Khafiz has been eye-catching in defeat on both starts since joining the Roger Fell yard in July, including when fourth at Chester last time when getting away slowly and denied a clear run a furlong from home. Was only beaten three lengths despite all the issues faced, which was an eye-catching effort.
He drops back down to six furlongs this weekend, which should suit this New Bay colt.
ITV’s final race on Saturday is an EBF Novice Stakes over a straight seven furlongs.
Plenty of runners will be making their racecourse debut, meaning that it could be worthwhile siding with Mister Whippy on his second attempt under rules. The Ed Walker runner was beaten four lengths on debut at Doncaster at the end of last month, finishing behind an eye-catching juvenile for the Charlie Appleby team.
However, Mister Whippy would have learned a lot on debut, having dwelt at the start and looking green throughout. If building on his finishing effort, a bold showing should be likely.
