ITV Racing Tips – Saturday 2nd May 2026 Best Bets for Newmarket, Goodwood & Thirsk

The ITV Racing cameras will be at Newmarket on Saturday, 2nd May, as the first Classic of the 2026 season will see a talented field contest the 2000 Guineas. Coverage from Thirsk and Goodwood is also set for a busy afternoon.

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

The ITV Racing coverage on Saturday kicks off with the Listed Chelmer Fillies’ Stakes over six furlongs. Argentine Tango is an interesting play for the Tim Easterby yard now back up in trip.

She was fourth over an extended five furlongs in Group Three company in France last month, but has winning form over six furlongs after winning impressively at Newmarket last June. Has performed well at Goodwood in the past, finishing second over five furlongs in July.

Double Rush made a striking impression on stable debut last month when winning easily over course and distance.

The colt could be good value to follow up this weekend, despite having being raised 8lb. Has an excellent record at the track, winning on both starts at Newmarket over six furlongs. Likely to go very close in order to maintain that perfect record.

Blue Bolt could be a vulnerable favourite on return in the Listed Conqueror Fillies’ Stakes after losing on return last year. Therefore, course and distance winner Arisaig should give a bold account.

The Charlie Johnston runner made a reliable enough return to action when second over a mile at Newmarket. She typically produced her best form at this track, winning over C&D in July 2024, and finishing a very close third behind Jonquil in last year’s Group Two Celebration Mile.

Next up is the Suffolk Stakes. Fifth Column ran disappointingly on his return to action when only beaten four lengths in the Spring Cup at Newbury. Was poorly drawn on that day, and that run could be overlooked.

Ran consistently over a mile throughout last season, beating a big field at York and winning on the July Course at Newmarket. Holds each-way claims on his best efforts for the in-form John & Thady Gosden yard.

One race is also covered from Thirsk on Saturday, with a field of 14 going to post for the Thirsk Hunt Cup. City Of Poets looks to hold interesting claims for the James Tate yard.

The four-year-old has been kept busy during the winter, winning over an extended mile at Wolverhampton, before taking a close third over the same course and distance on return in March. The return to the turf is a positive, having won twice over seven furlongs last term, and finishing a neck second behind Carron at Lingfield on his first attempt on the turf over a mile.

The Group Three Palace House Stakes will see the sprinters in action at Newmarket over five furlongs. Beckford’s Folly should be capable of running a strong race for the combination of William Buick and Charlie Appleby.

Holds a notable form line after beating Brussels in a Group Three over C&D as a two-year-old. Failed to step up to six furlongs at Newmarket last month, but the drop back to this trip is a bonus, while he has won on three from four starts at Newmarket.

The first Classic of the season is set for 15:35, with a high-quality field going to post in the Group One 2000 Guineas. Favourites have a poor record in the race (2-12), while five of the last 12 have won the Classic after a run.

Therefore, Needle Match makes plenty of appeal in a wide-open contest. The William Haggas yard has been in excellent form this season, and it could be argued that Needle Match needed the run when making a slow start and raced freely when fourth in the Group Three Greenham.

Showed ability last year when beating a subsequent winner at Newbury. Plenty to like about his pedigree, with Night of Thunder winning the 2000 Guineas, and the stallion since producing last year’s 1000 Guineas victor Desert Flower.