ITV Racing Tips on April 18th - Saturday's selections at Ayr and Newbury
This weekend’s ITV Racing at Ayr and Newbury promises an action-packed schedule, highlighted by the prestigious Scottish Grand National. Expert betting tips focus on standout entries such as Splish Splosh in the Fred Darling Stakes and Young Jack, who is considered good value in the Novices' Champion Handicap Chase. Tellherthename is highlighted for the Scottish Champion Hurdle, while Shout is favored in the Spring Cup Handicap. These insights, combined with strategic betting advice, aim to enhance your race day experience with winning potential.
- Free tips for the ITV races on Saturday 18th April
- Ayr and Newbury feature on Saturday's ITV Racing coverage
- Tellherthename and Shout feature in our ITV selections
- ITV Racing Schedule
- ITV Racing Tips - Saturday 18th April
- 1:10pm Ayr - Scotty Brand Handicap Chase Tips
- 1:25pm Newbury - Fred Darling Stakes Tips
- 1:45pm Ayr - Novices' Champion Handicap Chase Tips
- 2:00pm Newbury - Greenham Stakes Tips
- 2:20pm Ayr - Scottish Champion Hurdle Tips
- 2:35pm Newbury - John Porter Stakes Tips
- 2:55pm Ayr - Seafield Trophy Mares' Handicap Hurdle Tips
- 3:10pm Newbury - Spring Cup Handicap Tips
- 3:35pm Ayr - Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase Tips
Saturday's Tips
The Scottish Grand National headlines an excellent card at Ayr on Saturday. ITV Racing will be showing four races live from the Scottish venue, plus a quartet of strong races live from Newbury, including three Group Threes and the Spring Cup Handicap.
Here are my best betting tips for Saturday's ITV races.
ITV Racing Schedule
| Time | Track | Title |
|---|---|---|
| 1:10pm | Ayr | Scotty Brand Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 2m½f |
| 1:25pm | Newbury | Dubai Duty Free Stakes (Registered As The Fred Darling Stakes) (Group 3) 7f |
| 1:45pm | Ayr | CPMS Novices' Champion Handicap Chase (Class 2) 3m |
| 2:00pm | Newbury | Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes (Group 3) 7f |
| 2:20pm | Ayr | Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle (A Limited Handicap) (Grade 2) 2m |
| 2:35pm | Newbury | Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes (Registered As The John Porter Stakes) (Group 3) 1m4f |
| 2:55pm | Ayr | Jordan Electrics Ltd Seafield Trophy Mares' Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) 3m½f |
| 3:10pm | Newbury | Win Unique Experiences At OLBG Prizes Spring Cup Handicap (Class 2) 1m |
| 3:35pm | Ayr | Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) 4m |
ITV Racing Tips - Saturday 18th April
1:10pm Ayr - Scotty Brand Handicap Chase Tips
Nothing for me in the opener. Either Sans Bruit or Palacio will probably win, but I don't fancy backing either at their current prices.
1:25pm Newbury - Fred Darling Stakes Tips
Touleen has been smashed up for this Group Three, and for the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket. There's every chance Owen Burrow's rising star will win this weekend, but I wouldn't fancy her for the fillies' Classic, as I thought she looked extremely uncomfortable on the Rowley Mile when beaten in the Rockfel Stakes last term.
Princess Petrol is a filly that I liked last season, and Zooming is interesting. However, SPLISH SPLOSH (28/1) hammered Zooming when they met last season, and she's available at more than twice her price.
Splish Splosh appeared not to get seven furlongs on her second start, before thrashing Zooming back over six at Haydock. Eve Johnson Houghton's filly went on to finish third behind Spicy Marg on her final juvenile outing in the Bosra Sham, crossing the line on the tail of runner-up Azleet - a shock winner of the Nell Gwyn during the week.
Charlie Bishop's mount is by a top sire in Wootton Bassett and out of an excellent mare in Skitter Scatter - who won the Moyglare Stud Stakes in these colours. Johnson Houghton wouldn't start Splish Splosh out in the Fred Darling if she didn't think that her filly would get the trip. She's overpriced to me at 28/1.
1:45pm Ayr - Novices' Champion Handicap Chase Tips
Barring an error-strewn performance here at Ayr in January, YOUNG JACK (16/1) has progressed nicely over fences, and offers value in this trappy handicap.
Chris Grant's charge was narrowly beaten on his chasing debut by Scottish Grand National favourite King Of Answers. Young Jack bounced back from a poor effort at this venue by finishing just a head behind Theformismighty at Newcastle, and ran Milcree close on his return to Kelso in February.
Danny McMenamin's mount claimed a deserved victory on his most recent outing, beating Caughtinyourtrance by six lengths at Newcastle. I still think Young Jack could be ahead of the handicapper off this fresh mark of 125, and ground conditions at Ayr should be ideal.
2:00pm Newbury - Greenham Stakes Tips
Will Albert Einstein improve in the first time? Has Zavateri trained on after an excellent juvenile campaign? Is Title Role's Meydan form worth much? We'll find out on Saturday, but this is very much a watching brief for me.
2:20pm Ayr - Scottish Champion Hurdle Tips
In my Cheltenham Festival eye-catchers article, I said that the Scottish Champion Hurdle would be ideal for TELLHERTHENAME (11/4), and I managed to get on Dan Skelton's handicapper at a decent price when the market first opened.
Tristan Durrell seemed happy to sit last and wide throughout the County Hurdle. Dan Skelton's recruit travelled strongly coming down the hill, only to find his path into contention blocked by a wall of rivals. Crossing the line, Durrell was unmoved in the saddle as Tellherthename cantered home in 12th.
We've seen plenty of horses improve significantly after joining Skelton's yard over the last two seasons. Tellherthename has always been touted as a potential Graded-quality hurdler, and I fancy that he's very well-treated off this mark of 133.
2:35pm Newbury - John Porter Stakes Tips
Find out who we've backed in this Group Three by reading our free guide to the 2026 John Porter Stakes.
Head to our John Porter Stakes Live Stream page if you plan on watching any race this weekend via a mobile device.
2:55pm Ayr - Seafield Trophy Mares' Handicap Hurdle Tips
No bet for me in this one either.
3:10pm Newbury - Spring Cup Handicap Tips
SHOUT (9/1) was fancied by many to go well in the Lincoln, having progressed nicely during the second half of his three-year-old campaign.
Simon and Ed Crisford's charge drifted on the day, was slowly away and ran keen in the early stages. Rab Havlin's mount tried to make some late gains, but could only stay on into ninth, crossing the line just four lengths adrift of Urban Lion.
Shout was dropped a pound for that effort, and Oisin Murphy jumps into the saddle today. I like his low draw in stall five too, and with that outing at Doncaster under his belt, I could see Shout mounting a stiff challenge.
Stem is a lightly-raced four-year-old who remains unexposed over a mile. Jockey bookings suggest he's far from Richard Hannon's first string and I don't like his draw, but he could still run well at a price.
Checkandchallenge hasn't run in a handicap since 2022, but William Knight's seven-year-old boasts Group One form from last season, and could make a bold bid down the stand's rail. I'll just go with Shout, but if either of those two were to drift further, I could be tempted to get involved.
3:35pm Ayr - Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase Tips
Read our full guide to the 2026 Scottish Grand National to get the latest odds, key recurring trends and our best betting tips.
Visit our Scottish Grand National Live Stream page if you want to watch this via a mobile or tablet.
Verdict
Saturday's Top ITV Tips:
Tellherthename
2:20pm Ayr
@11/4 - 5 Units
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Shout
3:10pm Newbury
@9/1 - 5 Units
Bet £20 Get £10
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Young Jack E/W
1:45pm Ayr
@16/1 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £40
in free bets
18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. 18+. T&Cs apply.
Splish Splosh E/W
1:25pm Newbury
@28/1 - 5 Units
Bet £10 Get £10
with promo code NEWBONUS
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