York, Sandown and Chester feature on the ITV Racing schedule
Quest For Fun, Flora Of Bermuda and Blue Prince feature in our selections
Expired
York racecourse. (Getty)
Three of the UK's premier tracks feature on Saturday's ITV racing coverage. Four races will be shown live from York on Grand Cup Stakes day, with Sandown and Chester chipping in with three races between them.
Saturday's action starts with an amateur rider's handicap. While it's sure to make interesting viewing, this isn't the sort of race that I like to bet into. I might back one at a crazy price on the day, but at the moment, it'll be a no-bet contest for me.
2:05pm Sandown - talkSPORT Handicap Tips
BLUELIGHT BAY (33/1) is a horse I've always been fond of, and I'm willing to forgive an under-par outing at Ascot last time out. Eve Johnson Houghton's four-year-old won well off a mark of 88 at Salisbury last term and wasn't beaten far in an identical race to this here at Sandown in August. Charlie Bishop's mount has dropped down to a tempting mark of 87 and I can't resist a small each-way wager at 33/1.
2:25pm York - Support Macmillan Handicap Tips
Aalto is a horse that I'm keen to get on-side at some point this season. Ryan Moore has been booked to ride on Saturday, which greatly enhances his chances. However, Aalto has 19 rivals to contend with and represents little value at his current price of 5/1.
QUEST FOR FUN (25/1) hasn't been done any favours by the draw, but even from the widest stall of all, James Sullivan's mount could challenge.
Tim Easterby's six-year-old progressed nicely last season, winning a hot Class 3 here at York before rounding off 2023 with a heavy ground romp at Catterick. Quest For Fun hasn't really feature in any of his four starts this term, but wasn't beaten far in three of those contest and the handicapper has dropped his mark down to a lenient mark of 86.
2:40pm Sandown - Scurry Stakes Tips
Seven of the eight runners in this Listed sprint are fillies, with favourite Adaay In Devon carrying a penalty for her victory at Bath. Plenty of rain has been forecast to fall at Sandown during the build-up, which should ease the ground in favour of FLORA OF BERMUDA (7/2).
Andrew Balding's filly made a lasting impression when bolting up in the Alice Keppel during Glorious Goodwood, and went on to follow Big Evs home in the Flying Childers later in the season. Oisin Murphy's mount blew her chances out of the gates on her reappearance in the Temple Stakes, but with that run under her belt, I fancy Flore Of Bermuda will prove difficult to beat on Saturday.
Flora Of Bermuda (left) finishing second to Big Evs in the Flying Childers Stakes at Doncaster. (Getty)
Visit our Grand Cup Stakes Live Stream page if you plan on watching any of Saturday's races via a mobile or tablet.
3:20pm Chester - Roodee Handicap Tips
I backed Witness Stand at a massive price here at the May Festival and Tom Clover's charge ran a huge race to finish second behind Never So Brave. Hollie Doyle's mount tops the market for our only ITV contest at Chester, but Witness Stand has been handed a horror draw out in stall 12 and might need plenty of luck in running to get involved.
I prefer the chances of BLUE PRINCE (7/1), who ran so well for David Evans throughout the all-weather season. After taking a couple of starts to get used to turf, Blue Prince finish a very close second in a hot handicap at York, before repeating that placing at Goodwood last time out. Richard Kingscote, who knows Chester like the back of his hand, takes the ride again today and Blue Prince has been drawn nicely to challenge from stall four.
3:35pm York - Sprint Handicap Tips
Another large-field handicap at York, where chances can be given to plenty. At an each-way price, I wouldn't be surprised to see IMPERIAL GUARD (20/1) run well.
Andrew Balding's colt had his first four runs at Kempton, finishing close behind classy sorts like Orne and Zoum Zoum, before claiming a maiden victory in March. Danny Tudhope's mount was forced to challenge from the rear on his turf debut at Ascot last month, but made up plenty of late ground to cross the line a never-nearer third.
Hayley Turner has been called up on Saturday, as she can easily do the feather-weight of 85. Balding's horses are going really well at the moment and there are several possible pace-setters on Imperial Guard's side of the track.
Verdict
Saturday's Top ITV Racing Tips:
Best Bet1: Flora Of Bermuda 2:40pm Sandown @7/2 at BoyleSports - 10 Units
Best Bet2: Blue Prince 3:20pm Chester @7/1 at bet365 - 5 Units
Best Bet3: Quest For Fun E/W 2:25pm York @25/1 at Betgoodwin - 5 Units
Best Bet4: Imperial Guard E/W 3:35pm York @20/1 at BoyleSports - 5 Units
New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Mobile exclusive. 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. **18+. Online Only. Get paid out as a winner if your team is winning by 2 goals, even if you draw or lose. 90 mins only. Applies to Singles & Multiples. T&Cs apply.
Available to new customers only. Make a qualifying deposit of £5 or more and claim the offer within 30 days of registering your account to qualify for 300% of that amount in Bet Credits, up to a maximum of £30 in Bet Credits. Once released, your Bet Credits will be held in your account balance and are non-withdrawable. Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Registration required. Time limits and T&Cs apply.
New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Mobile exclusive. 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. **18+. Online Only. Get paid out as a winner if your team is winning by 2 goals, even if you draw or lose. 90 mins only. Applies to Singles & Multiples. T&Cs apply.
