ITV Racing Tips for Ascot, Redcar and Newcastle (Saturday 5th October)

1:30 Newmarket

The opener on Saturday’s ITV coverage is the 1:30 from Newmarket. It is a fillies handicap over 1m2f.

I like ASHIRABA (11/2) here. This progressive 3 year-old filly is improving well this season and has won 3 of his last four starts. I was impressed with her win last time out at Kempton and despite a 6lb rise in the weights, I don’t think we’ve got to the bottom of her yet. She’s proven under soft conditions so she won’t mind what the weather does.

 

1:50 Ascot

The first of four races from Ascot is the 1:50.  It is the Rous Stakes, a listed contest for the sprinters over 5f.

I’d expect RELIEF RALLY (11/8)  to take a bit of beating here. A star 2 year-old from the Haggas stable, she has shown more than enough aged 3 to suggest she’s up to winning races of this level. She is arguably coming off a career best to be fair when finishing second at Group 3 level at Newbury last time out. That was after a few months off and she’s entitled to come on for that effort. Tough to beat.

 

2:05 Newmarket

The 2:05 from Newmarket is up next, the Tattersalls October Auction Stakes for 2 year-olds over 6f.

It’s ZOULU WARRIOR (33/1) EW for me in here. He took a big step forward last time out in a competitive-looking nursery at Wolverhampton. He finished 4th that day but I think he just went for home too early and the closers picked him off late on. Newmarket is a track that can favour the front runner and if jockey Ryan Kavanagh can be slightly more patient on him today, I think he can at least grab a place. I like his chances at the prices.

 

2:25 Ascot

The 2:25 from Ascot is the Group 3 Cumberland Lodge Stake over 1m4f.

It’s AL QAREEM (11/4) I like. Winner of this race last year, he looks set to put up a bold bid this time round again. The soft ground is right up his street and he’ll likely get his own way out in front which sees him to best effect. He’ll prove tough to get past and the soft underfoot conditions will go against Al Aasy and his turn of foot. Hamish hasn’t been firing recently and is no spring chicken. Therefore, I’m happy to go with Al Qareem.

 

2:40 Newmarket

The feature from HQ comes up at 2:40, the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes over the mile.

I think INSPIRAL (7/2) can finish her career in fine style with a Group 1 victory here. She’s a high-class mare, albeit an inconsistent one but I have no doubt the Gosden yard will have her as best as they possibly can for this race. A previous winner here at Newmarket, she is the best horse in the race if she is on a going day. Havlin takes over which can’t be considered a bad thing as he’s riding well at the moment. The 3 year-old rivals have potential but this is a significant rise in class for them and they are short in the market. I’m happy to chance the best horse in the race at the prices.

 

3:00 Ascot

It’s back to Ascot for the 3:00 next, the Benbough Stakes. It is a Group 3 race over 6f.

I do like JARRAAF (7/2) NB here for the shrewd Owen Burrows yard. The 3 year-old is on a serious upward curve this season and he obviously excels over this course and distance given the fact he’s won his last two starts over it. I think he can continue improving and having been freshened up since his last start, I’d expect connections have been waiting for this Group contest over this course and distance here at Ascot to attempt to land the hat-trick. Great chance.

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3:20 Redcar

We head to Redcar for one race, the Two Year Old Trophy, a listed contest over the 6f trip.

It’s BILLBOARD STAR (3/1) for me here. He ran a cracker when we last seen him in the Mill Reef Stakes where he finished a close third behind the Richard Fahey trained Powerful Glory. That’s the strongest piece of form on offer in this line-up and Billboard Star comes here with plenty of experience under his belt given the fact this will be the 7th start of his season. I think that’s is a positive in a race of this nature and I like his chances.

 

3:35 Ascot

The final race is the 3:35 from Ascot, a typically competitive 7f handicap known as the Challenge Cup.

I’m going with CARRYTHEONE (12/1) NAP here. I think the combination of Carrytheone and Jamie Spencer could be a match made in heaven. This strong traveller looks to come from off the pace and weave through horses and there is no better man for the job than Spencer. A mark of 104 demands a career best but Ascot looks sure to suit his running style if he gets the breaks. He was an unlucky 4th at Chester last time out where he was left with too much to do. He’s twice won over 7f this season and I am expecting a bold showing today.

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