Matt reckons Annaf can get the job done at 15:00.
Matt Chapman’s Saturday ITV racing tips
13:15 Ascot – Flight
13:30 Newmarket – Blessed Star
13:50 Ascot – Beautiful Diamond
14:05 Newmarket – Half Sovereign
14:25 Ascot – Tenability
14:40 Newmarket – Cinderella’s Dream
15:00 Ascot – Annaf
15:20 Redcar – Song of the Clyde
15:35 Ascot – Linwood (each way)
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
13:15 Ascot – Flight
ITV Racing is busy on Saturday with sport from Ascot, Newmarket and Redcar, starting here with a Listed race for fillies and mares over 7f. FLIGHT has been disappointing since a seemingly excellent run in the 1000 Guineas when second to Desert Flower. I say seemingly as I’m not sure that form is anything like as good as you would expect for a Classic, and Flight has done little in three runs since. That all said, this is a drop in class and she really should be in the mix for Ollie Sangster and Jamie Spencer who should suit the horse. Added to that a drop to 7f might well suit.
ITV go to Newmarket for three events Saturday starting here with a fillies and mares handicap over 1m2f. Maybe this is the day the door will open this season for BLESSED STAR after some fine runs in defeat including at York over this trip behind Cape Flora. A flop that day was Wonder Star who was too keen, but I see no reason to not stick with Blessed Star who should still be capable of better than a mark of 78. Charlie Johnston trains with Sean Bowen taking the mount.
Another Listed event but this time for sprinters in the Rouse Stakes over 5f. Lots of these could win this at their best, but getting 5lb from Shagraan means last year’s runner-up BEAUTIFUL DIAMOND has an excellent chance of going one better this time. The natural early pacer can chase Candy through the early stages and prove too good for that horse late on. In form Clifford Lee rides for Karl Burke.
Here’s a valuable auction race for juveniles over 7f. HALF SOVEREIGN won’t be much of a price but I love this horse and he did this column a right turn when hacking up at Doncaster. He stays 7f well and gets weight from one or two of these with claims which is an added advantage. A huge chance. Sam James rides for Karl Burke.
Now the Group 3 Cumberland Lodge over 1m4f. Hamish is the best of these but will the ground be soft enough? I love TENABILITY as a horse and while rated 100 he has up to 10lb to find with others in this race I suspect he’s the most likely to run to or above his rating. He stays really well and has a tremendous attitude. Added to all that he’s got proven form at this track. He’s too big a price.
The highest class race of the day in the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes for fillies and mares over 1m. A strong gallop here should suit CINDERELLA’S DREAM who started the season with a terrific success here in the Dahlia. The Breeders’ Cup runner-up stays a bit further than this which is why this set up should be right up her street with a number of front-runners in the field. Charlie Appleby trains with William Buick taking the mount.
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15:00 Ascot – Annaf
Another Group 3 here in the Bengough over 6f. ANNAF has been out of his depth in Group 1 races but he’s dropped in grade here and is sure to get a strong pace to run at which is what he likes. Danny Muscutt gets the ride for Mick Appleby and while his recent form gives him no chance you go back to 2023 and he landed this prize in good style in a battling finish. It might be his time again.
ITV show one from Redcar which is this Listed Two Year Old Trophy over 6f and there’s a massive field! SONG OF THE CLYDE has been mopping up cash in sales races and ran a huge one once again at Doncaster last time when picked up by Calendar Girl. Stays the trip well and goes on any ground. Hard to stop.
The big betting handicap of the day over 7f. LINWOOD is in the grip of the handicapper but he’s been running well with big efforts at Newbury and Goodwood and this might be a chance to shine under Joe Leavy for Richard Hannon. This trip and distance is ideal and he ran really well over 1m1f at Goodwood when third to Gladius. He might get away and clear here and could be hard to pick up. A few quid each way.
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