ITV Racing Tips – Saturday 18th April 2026 Best Bets for Ayr & Newbury

An action-packed day of horse racing is set for ITV on Saturday, 18th April, with jumps action from Ayr headlined by the Scottish Grand National. There will also be Classic clues on the flat from Newbury, with 1000 and 2000 Guineas contenders in action.

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

An exciting day of ITV Racing kicks off with the Scotty Brand Handicap Chase over an extended two miles. Traprain Law should be well suited to this drop down in trip after running well for a long way when third behind JPR One in the Scottish Champion Chase.

The eight-year-old was a winner over a mile and seven in late December, beating Doyen Du Bar by an easy three lengths. Has winning experience on the track and should go well with Patrick Wadge aboard.

Clues ahead of the 1000 Guineas will be found in the Group Three Fred Darling Stakes. Touleen has been well-backed in the race for the Classic this week, and the Owen Burrows yard is already among the winners, striking at 50%.

Saffie Osborne takes the ride on the filly, who was a two-time winner over seven furlongs last year, including when breaking her maiden over course and distance in August.

Lost little in defeat when fifth in the Group Two Rockfel Stakes at the end of last season, when hanging right. Should be primed to fire this weekend.

A memorable week for Dan Skelton could continue in the Novices’ Champion Handicap Chase, as Diamond Dealer looks like a leading chance.

The penny finally looked to have dropped for the seven-year-old last time winning cozily over an extended two miles and five at Kelso. Had started the season with back-to-back wins over fences before losing his way over a mammoth four miles in the Scottish Borders National. Back on song now, and hard to overlook with Dan Skelton back aboard.

Clues for the 2000 Guineas will be on offer in the Group Three Greenham Stakes. Aidan O’Brien sends over Albert Einstein, who, with a recent run under his belt, could be primed to strike against Zavateri.

The three-year-old was disappointing on reappearance at the Curragh, finishing sixth of ten. However, he was progressive throughout his juvenile season, winning the Group Three Marble Hill Stakes.

O’Brien’s typically come on for the run, making this son of Wootton Bassett dangerous on Saturday.

Next up is the Grade Two Scottish Champion Hurdle. All In You is a very interesting contender for the Warren Greatrex yard, with in-form James Bowen taking the ride.

The six-year-old ran no race on his previous outing, looking unsuited by the heavy ground. However, a return to a better surface should see him in a better light after winning impressively over two miles at Sandown when besting Dance And Glance by over a length.

The strength of that form looks solid, with the second (Dance And Glance) since winning and the fourth (Hot Fuss) taking a very credible second in the Martin Pipe.

No Constitution Hill in the Group Three John Porter Stakes, but a high-quality field goes to post regardless. With the fitness advantage, Lion’s Pride could be an interesting contender.

The John & Thady Gosden yard has already been among the winners this week, and Ryan Moore is booked to take the ride.

The six-year-old failed to fire in two starts in the Middle East this winter, but he was excellent on his last start on British turf, winning the Godolphin Stakes at Newmarket over a mile and four.

Ayr’s next race is the Mares’ Handicap Hurdle, run over an extended three miles.

The step back up in trip should suit Alastair Ralph-trained Holly Hartingo, who was last seen finishing third over an inadequate trip.

She was an excellent second on her last attempt over an extended three miles, narrowly denied by Star Walking in the final strides. She’s back down to a workable mark, and her stamina and proven ability on the ground make her an each-way hope.

The big betting race from Newbury on Saturday will see a field of 26 contest the Spring Cup Handicap. Cogitate is an interesting selection off a low weight from a low draw.

The Charles Hill-trained runner has the benefit of a recent run after finishing a close second on the all-weather at Kempton, but the five-year-old has previous winning form over a mile, landing a purse at a good race at Salisbury last May. Saffie Osborne is aboard for the first time, and should give a bold showing.

The feature on Saturday comes from Ayr, as a field of 21 line up in the Scottish Grand National. Joseph O’Brien was unfortunate not to have the winner in Aintree’s showpiece last weekend, but Kim Roque could make amends.

The six-year-old will carry a light weight in the race, and has threatened to land a big purse since finishing second on stable debut at Cheltenham in November. Looked to be crying out for this stamina-sapping test when a staying on fourth in the Kim Muir at the Festival last month. J J Slevin travels over for the ride.