ITV Racing Tips on July 8th
One of the season's most important Group Ones takes place on Saturday, as four talented runners go toe-to-toe in the Coral-Eclipse. Along with that Group One, viewers will enjoy three pattern races live from Sandown and three wide-open handicaps from Haydock Park.
Saturday's ITV Racing Schedule
ITV Racing Tips - Saturday 8th July
Race 1 - Coral Charge Tips
Saturday's action kicks off with a fiendishly difficult renewal of the Charge. Plenty towards the top-end of the market hold claims, but I don't think EXISTENT'S recent performances warrant him to be the rank outsider of the field.
Stuart Williams' five-year-old is yet to make the break-through in pattern company. There were several near-misses last season, including a neck-defeat to Khaadem in the Palace House Stakes and a close fourth in this race 12 months ago - where Existent was stuck in traffic from an inside draw, had to be angled violently left to make a challenge and was still only beaten a length-and-a-half.
It was a similar story for Williams' sprinter in the Temple Stakes in May, where Existent picked up well after a sluggish start to finish fourth. Things didn't go to plan in the King's Stand Stakes last time out, but Existent was still only beaten just over five lengths in that Group One. Jason Hart's mount has landed a kind draw out in stall eight and I wouldn't be shocked in the slightest if Existent managed to make a big impact.
Race 2 - bet365 Handicap Tips
We've seen some classy stayers come out of this race in recent years, including Sir Ron Priestly, Giavellotto and Subjectivist, so it's clearly a race worth following. Only last year's winner, Nathanael Greene has carried odds longer than 9/2 to victory, but I still think it could pay to take on the market leaders with the overlooked MIDNIGHT LION.
Charlie Johnston's colt recovered well after a surprisingly slow start to finish fourth on his handicap debut at Doncaster - a race that was won by future Queen's Vase runner-up Saint George. Joe Fanning's mount made all to win a maiden over this distance at Goodwood last time out, running up to an RPR of 91.
Midnight Lion remains on the same official mark of 81 that he carried into that handicap at Doncaster and the Johnston's have an excellent record in handicaps of this ilk.
Race 3 - Coral Challenge Tips
Things don't get any easier as we return to Sandown for a 15-horse renewal of the Challenge. It pains me to pass over Dutch Decoy, who I've backed on his last couple of starts, but I quite like the look of INTELLOGENT, who's been dropped four pounds down to a mark of 100 after a no-show in the Royal Hunt Cup.
Jane Chapple-Hyam's eight-year-old ran up to an RPR of 116 in that handicap 12 months ago, when finishing a head behind Dark Shift. Intellogent returned to Ascot on the back of an excellent effort at Newbury, where he was slowly away once again but finish like a train to place sixth. Kieran Shoemark's mount is more than capable of winning this sort of race off a mark of 100 and being drawn out in stall seven could be ideal.
Race 4 - Lancashire Oaks Tips
Mimikyu might dominate this betting heat, but I'm going to go back in again on TIME LOCK, who I backed in the Lester Piggott Stakes last time out.
Harry and Roger Charlton's filly eventually went off as the even-money favourite. Yet, David Probert's mount looked all at season on fast turf here at Haydock, taking an age to find her full stride and the favourite could only cross the line fourth out of five runners.
Despite clearly hating the conditions, Time Lock was only beaten three lengths behind Sea Silk Road. The down-pour that's scheduled to hit Haydock on Saturday should ease the ground firmly in Time Lock's favour and, with the Charlton's striking at almost 40% in recent weeks, she offers plenty of each-way value at 8/1.
Race 5 - Coral Distaff Tips
William Buick teamed up with John Gosden to win the Distaff back in 2014 and that partnership could strike again with BRIDESTONES, who's clearly much more talented than what she's been able to show in recent starts.
Buick's mount couldn't pick up from the rear over seven furlongs in the Fred Darling Stakes, and made no impression after another sluggish start in the Prix Saint-Alary. On her handicap debut in the Sandringham, Bridestones was drawn on the worst side of the track and received a hefty thump as she attempted to make up some ground at the two furlong pole.
Given that she was sent over to France for a Group One on just her third career start, the Gosden's obviously hold this filly in high regard and I'm hoping we'll see Bridestones put her best foot forward at Sandown.
Race 6 - Old Newton Cup Handicap Tips
On a day that could produce plenty of double-figure winners, I'm going to delve into the each-way market again and side with a proven stayer in SIR RUMI.
Richard Hannon's five-year-old ran out an easy winner at Epsom in April, before placing a close third behind the impressive Sheer Rocks at Ascot next time out. Kevin Stott then held his mount up to try and get 14 furlongs at Goodwood when last seen in May, and Sir Rumi stayed on fairly well to finish six lengths adrift of future Ascot Gold Cup winner, Courage Mon Ami.
Dropping back to 12 furlongs will certainly suit, as will the prospect of rain-softened ground. Sir Rumi also boasts winning form here at Haydock Park, making his current odds of 16/1 look extremely generous.
