ITV will televise seven live races on Saturday, 18th July, with racing covered from Newbury and Ripon, as well as jumps action from Market Rasen.
We have gone through all televised races on Saturday, picking out ITV horse racing tips, and an accumulator for ITV racing.
The Listed Steventon Stakes kicks off the ITV coverage on Saturday. Persica is a fairly difficult horse to trust, meaning that he is opposable, giving weight away to a couple of handy three-year-olds.
Oceans Four left his difficult return to action behind him last time out, finishing an excellent fourth and within a length of Generic in the Group Three Hampton Court Stakes.
He stayed on very strongly on that day, meaning his return disappointment at Sandown in April could have been needed for fitness. Has won on soft and good ground, so is fairly versatile.
Jumps action also returns to ITV this weekend, with two races covered from Market Rasen. Charlus has always been highly regarded, having won once with Willie Mullins before moving to Dan Skelton.
Ran well for a long way at Aintree in a competitive handicap in April, before finishing last of five off top weight at Newton Abbott on his first start after wind surgery earlier this month.
Has shown flashes of ability, and is now dropped to a workable mark, and he could be capable of out-running his odds at an each-way price.
Newbury’s next race is a small-fielded handicap over an extended two miles. Previous course and distance winners Baileys Khelstar and Almuhit should be respected, but the improving Ride The Thunder looks to be the balance play.
The four-year-old wasn’t beaten far by Align The Stars on his first effort over two miles at the end of last month on the all-weather, and more should be expected now back on the turf.
He is a one-time winner on the track, and he produced a fine finishing effort on his first start after being gelded at Hamilton in May when just over a length behind Valiancy.
Market Rasen’s next race is a handicap chase over an extended two miles and five.
Kingston Narcissus looks like a winner in waiting for the Dan Skelton yard, and he was just touched off on quick ground at Uttoxeter over an inadequate two miles by Newtown Rambler. He will be back up in trip this weekend, and is yet to finish outside of the first two in three chase efforts.
Likely to fire on Saturday for the in-form Skelton yard, with Harry Skelton booked aboard.
The Group Three Hackwood Stakes is next up on Saturday, with a field of seven runners competing over six furlongs. Song Of The Clyde ticks plenty of boxes for the Clive Cox team.
He was only beaten four lengths by Venetian Sun in the Group One Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, and that form has been well represented since. A return to Newbury is a positive, having beaten Albert Einstein in the Carnarvon Stakes in May and also finishing second over course and distance in a Novice Stakes as a juvenile.
Three-year-old horses have won this race in two of the last five years.
One race from Ripon is also covered on ITV this weekend. Mark Walford is always a trainer worth keeping on side at the track, and he saddles Spiorodalta on Saturday.
The six-year-old will have the benefit of a low draw, and it is worth putting a line through his recent effort at Windsor.
The selection is somewhat of a course specialist, winning on his previous two efforts, which include a stylish success in May over a mile and two. Should be suited by this step up in trip, and there’s plenty to like.
The big betting race of the day comes in the form of the Super Sprint Stakes, which has attracted a huge field of 26 runners.
Richard Hannon’s record in the race is strong, meaning it could be worth chancing his runners. From Me To You is interesting on his first start since being gelded, having run well on two occasions on quick ground at Newbury and Leicester this season. He has been well-backed on both occasions, and in-form Pat Dobbs is booked aboard.
Leucothea could be an interesting alternative from the same stable after running an excellent race when narrowly beaten over five furlongs at Goodwood in June.
