Saturday ITV Racing Tips From York and Newbury

We had to make do with a couple of places last Saturday. Into Faith shaped nicely enough in 6th but he may need a step up in trip. Al Rasmah ran really well to grab 2nd and there is more to come from her. Alabama Whitman ran poorly, while Ventura Tormenta travelled like the winner before fading. Urban Icon ran really well but missed out on place money by 1L in 5th. Equilateral was very disappointing, as was Saaheq who never figured. At least we finished with a 22/1 place with Keyser Soze, who was unlucky not to finish closer. The action on Saturday comes from York and Newbury. Check out Dave Stevos’ Saturday ITV racing tips below…

ITV Live Selections: Newbury 2.15pm – Rose Bowl Stakes (Listed)

This 2yo Listed 6f contest is all about Method according to the bookies. Martyn Meade’s son of Mehmas justified skinny odds on debut with a wide margin win at Doncaster (6f gd/fm). The runner up in that race (4L behind) was beat a head in a G2 next time so the form looks rock solid. Oisin Murphy gets the leg up and Method is most certainly the one they have to beat. The bookies haven’t missed him though and he is just 11/10.

The one I’ll be backing at a nice each way price here is Tanfantic for Brian Meehan and Jason Watson. This son of Gutaifan was a cosy winner over 6f on debut at Windsor, despite pulling early. He found things happening a bit too quickly dropped to 5f in the Listed Dragon Stakes at Sandown last time. After suffering slight interference early he was always on the back foot. However, I loved how he finished his race off and the step back up to 6f looks sure to suit. Method will probably win but at the odds I’ll be having an each way bet on Tanfantic at odds of 18/1.

Saturday ITV Racing Tips: Tanfantic E/W @ 18/1 NAP

Saturday ITV Racing Tips: York 2.30pm – John Smith’s Cup (Class 2)

A maximum field of 22 will go to post for this 10.5f Heritage Handicap. This looks a very competitive contest and you could make a case for plenty. Jim Goldie is a trainer that can be worth following in these types of races, especially at York, and he won this with Euchen Glen a couple of years ago. That horse is back to try and repeat the dose off 3lb higher on just his 3rd run since then. He made all that day and if he tries to do the same again, he could set it up for his stablemate Nicholas T.

This 8yo son of Rail Link won nicely at Ayr on his seasonal reappearance for Kevin Stott off 96. Dropping back in trip (8f) was never likely to suit last time. Today’s distance will be a lot more to his liking. This horse is best when finishing fast and late off a strong pace and he will be held up out the back. As with all horses with this racing style, he will need luck in running. Nicholas T is above his last winning rating, but only by 4lb and he won with more up his sleeve than the distance suggests at Ayr. If he gets the gaps at the right times, Nicholas T could run on late for a place at odds of 50/1.

Saturday ITV Racing Tips: Nicholas T E/W @ 50/1 (6 Places)

ITV Live Selections: York 3.05pm – City Walls Stakes (Listed)

This 5f Listed heat is restricted to horses who have not won a G1 since 2019. Nine are due to line up in the stalls and they’ll all have to go some to beat El Astronaute. This must be one of the hardiest sprinters in training and he is showing no signs of slowing down at 7yo. He won very nicely on his return at Doncaster (5f gd) and he has won over C&D.

So has Equilateral though and he beat John Quinn’s charge by 3L in a Listed heat at Doncaster last September. Que Amoro is trained by Michael Dods and she gets weight from her male rivals. She is clearly on the upgrade and she won easily last time in a Listed heat at Ayr. This daughter of Es Que Love won a valuable handicap here last season too and she should be bang there at the finish again.

The likes of Major Jumbo and Moss Gill are others to note, while Aberama Gold and Al Raya are both up against it as 3yos if previous renewals of this race are anything to go by. To be honest, the bookies seem to have taken no chances in this race and it is not one that appeals as a betting heat. If I had to back one it would be Major Jumbo each way but odds of 7/1 aren’t big enough. No bet.  

Saturday ITV Racing Tips: No Bet

Saturday ITV Racing Tips: Newbury 3.25pm – Aphrodite Fillies’ Stakes (Listed)

Another Listed contest, this time for the fillies and mares over 12f. Ten are due to go to post and the one I like e/w is Bella Vita. Trained by Eve Johnson Houghton, this daughter of Aussie Rules progressed at a rate of knots last season. She won 4 in a row, starting with a maiden and then 3 handicaps, the last one off a mark of 87.

This filly then ran a blinder to be 2nd behind Love So Deep on her first try in Listed company at Newmarket. That filly subsequently went down by a head to Dame Maillot in a Group 2 in France so the form is strong. Her two runs this season were nothing to write home about but this step back up to 12f could spark her back to form. She has a 1st and a 2nd from her three runs at the distance and at odds of 16/1 she is the each way pick.

Saturday ITV Racing Tips: Bella Vita E/W @ 16/1 NB

ITV Live Selections: York 3.40pm – William Hill Handicap (Class 3)

Tim Easterby is often worth following in York handicaps and he runs an interesting filly here. Secretarial has just 1 win from 5 starts so far. That came over 9f at Carlisle in a maiden last season on soft ground. Admittedly, she was poor on her only start so far on good ground but it was over an inadequate trip. It was her seasonal comeback too and Easterby’s often take a run or two to hit top form.

She shaped a lot better last time at Ayr upped in trip to 10f (sft). The daughter of Kingman was only beat 5L off a mark of 77 and she is 2lb lower now. Her pedigree suggests that this step up in distance could suit. Her half brother Sexy Beast scored over 14f so hopefully this new trip brings about more improvement. Any of the forecast rain that falls will help her chances too. At odds of 18/1 Secretarial is the e/w pick.

Saturday ITV Racing Tips: Secretarial e/w @ 18/1 (4 places)

Saturday ITV Racing Tips: Newbury 4.00pm – Hackwood Stakes (Group 3)

The final live race of the day on ITV4 this Saturday is the 6f G3 Hackwood Stakes. A dozen sprinters are due to go to post and it is wide open. We were on The Tin Man last time out but he could never land a blow at Royal Ascot. He may need softer ground to show his best form these days. The fact that Oisin Murphy keeps the faith is a positive for his supports though. Judicial won very well last time at Newcastle and Brando did the form no harm

At a monster price Keystroke could outrun his odds. Trained by Stuart Williams, he disappointed at Newcastle last time behind Judicial. That was his second poor run of the season but he will surely bounce back at some point. He was an excellent 3rd in this race last season, ahead of The Tin Man, Oxted and Donjuan Triumphant to name but a few. He has run well on both previous visits to Newbury and at odds of 28/1 with 4 places available, a small each way interest on Keystroke is advised.

Saturday ITV Racing Tips: Keystroke E/W @ 28/1 (4 Places)