The ITV cameras will be at Ascot this weekend for the annual Shergar Cup. In total, nine races will be covered this Saturday, including a race from Newmarket and two from Haydock.
We have gone through all televised races on Saturday, picking out ITV horse racing tips, and an accumulator for ITV racing.
ITV’s coverage of the Shergar Cup kicks off with the Dash, which is run over five furlongs.
Tuco Salamanca could be an interesting contender for the in-form Ollie Sangster yard, with Jerry Chau taking the ride.
The four-year-old was a winner on the all-weather at Newmarket in June, before finishing just four lengths off eventual winner Evening Saigon in last weekend’s Stewards’ Cup. Will be of interest back at Ascot.
ITV’s only race from Newmarket this weekend is the Group Three Sweet Solera Stakes. Charlie Appleby and Billy Loughnane teamed up for success in this race 12 months ago with Dance To The Music, and the same combination could get more joy on Saturday.
Graceful Song won impressively over course and distance on her racecourse debut last month, easily putting two lengths between herself and the field.
Demands respect for a leading yard at the track.
Next up is the Stayers’ race, run over two miles. Pole Star will have Dylan Browne McMonagle aboard this weekend, and the Charlie Johnston runner should have leading claims.
He steps back up to two miles for the first time since finishing a close fifth at Thirsk in May, and he has looked unsuited over shorter trips at Ayr and Newmarket since. Services of an in-form rider are a clear plus.
The opening ITV race from Haydock on Saturday is the Group Three Rose of Lancaster Stakes. Convergent is on a recovery mission after disappointing efforts in top-level company when fifth in the Group One Coronation Cup and fourth in the Group Princess of Wales’s Stakes.
Has his sights lowered in Group Three company this weekend, and should be capable of getting involved if able to replicate his effort when winning the Group Three John Porter Stakes on return.
Need to be forgiving, but if at his peak, he will be hard to beat.
Next up is the Shergar Cup Challenge, run over a mile and four furlongs. Fantasy Believer should be capable of running a big race for the in-form combination of Ed Walker and Saffie Osborne.
The nine-year-old was fourth over course and distance last time, and remains on a low mark.
Should be capable of seeing out this trip, and looks versatile on all ground and is a previous winner at Ascot after winning a ten-runner handicap in July 2024.
ITV’s final race from Haydock this weekend is the Listed Dick Hern Stakes for fillies and mares. Fallen Angel will be a solid contender, but Alobayyah could be the improver in the field for William Haggas and Tom Marquand.
The four-year-old posted a career-best effort on his second start after a break last time out, holding off Miss Nightfall to land a gamble in the Kensington Palace Stakes. Well worth a shot at this level.
Grasmere Boy could be an interesting selection in the Shergar Cup Sprint, due off at 15:20. The Julie Camacho three-year-old won on back-to-back starts at Ripon and Chester in June and July, before getting a bad draw when only fifth at Chester last time out.
He has finished outside of the first two on just one of his five career starts, and he should be competitive on these terms with Yutaka Take taking the ride.
A competitive edition of the Shergar Cup Classic is next up on ITV, and it could be hard to take on Archers Bay.
Ryan Moore will be aboard the Marco Botti runner, who was previously a two-time winner at Wolverhampton and Newmarket earlier this season.
Lost nothing in defeat when third behind Ancient Egypt in May, and failed to get competitive in the Italian Derby on bottomless ground. Sights lowered this weekend, and should be capable.
ITV’s coverage on Saturday concludes with the Shergar Cup Mile. Fondo Blanco could be of interest in a first-time tongue tie.
The four-year-old was disappointing on his first run after being gelded in the Buckingham Palace at Royal Ascot, but he does have previous form at the track, finishing a very close second behind Hickory in an eleven-runner handicap in September.
Has winning form over a mile, and looks to be well treated this weekend.
