ITV Racing Tips on September 23rd
Flat racing fans have a feast of action to enjoy on Saturday. Five races will be shown live from Ayr, including the Ayr Gold Cup. We'll also head down to Newbury for four live races on Mill Reef Stakes day.
Saturday's ITV Racing Schedule
ITV Racing Tips - Saturday 23rd September
Race 1 - Virgin Bet Handicap Tips
Course winner TITAN ROCK looks ready to step back up to a mile. John Quinn has campaigned his five-year-old over seven furlongs for the majority of his career, despite winning over this trip as a three-year-old. Jason Hart's mount returned after a summer break with a fine effort behind Persuasion at Thirsk three weeks ago and he should be a big player running off the same mark.
Race 2 - World Trophy Stakes Tips
Running on heavy ground after 455 days out of action is no easy feat, so I'm happy to take on the returning Sense Of Duty.
Fellow St Albans Bloodstock flag-bearer, NYMPHADORA showed her liking for juicy going with handicap and Listed victories earlier in the season and ran with great credit in the Nunthorpe last time out, where she was only beaten four-and-a-half lengths on unsuitably quick ground. She could be the one to upset the market leader.
Race 3 - Doonside Cup Stakes Tips
Despite the obvious danger posed by the progressive Royal Rhyme - who would ideally like the ground to be softer than it is - this should be a fairly straightforward task for MR PROSPERO.
A three-time placer in Group One company, William Haggas' star fell to a shock defeat in the York Stakes last time out. Alflaila is a high-quality horse in his own right, so there was no shame in My Prospero's performance that day and the first time application of cheek-pieces could help the favourite get his head back in front.
Race 4 - Autumn Cup Handicap Tips
I'm not keen on anything in this race, so I'll take a watching brief.
Race 5 - Silver Cup Handicap Tips
I never have a big bet in these consolation races, but I do fancy a small punt on DREAM FOR GOLD. Kevin Ryan's three-year-old went close in two competitive handicaps earlier in the summer and wasn't disgraced when seventh in the Great St Wilfried.
Tom Eaves' mount was outpaced from an early stage back down over five furlongs at York last time out. Stepping back up in trip should suit and Dream For Gold remains well-handicapped off his current mark.
Race 6 - Dubai Duty Free Handicap Tips
When the ground is heavy, it often pays to side with Ralph Beckett and I fancy BALANCE PLAY will make up for a poor effort at York last time out.
Hector Crouch's mount was sent off as the 3/1 favourite for the 12-furlong Heritage Handicap, having won easily on his two subsequent starts at Chester and Goodwood. Balance Play was slowly away that day and simply couldn't get involved in the contest. I'm happy to put a line through that effort and Beckett's three-year-old has every chance of resuming his progress on Saturday.
Race 7 - Firth Of Clyde Tips
Having only been beaten a neck on her debut in a Group Three at Naas in May, NAVASSA ISLAND was backed into 5/1 for the Albany at Royal Ascot. Mick O'Callaghan's juvenile couldn't pick up on fast ground that day and was then beaten at a short price in a seven-and-a-half furlong maiden at Leopardstown.
Navassa Island got off the mark at the Curragh last time out, winning nicely over six furlongs. The second, third and fourth from that race have come out and won impressively since, so that's a red-hot piece of form. At 15/2, the Irish raider has clearly been underestimated.
Race 8 - Mill Reef Stakes Tips
If you plan on watching any of Saturday's races via a mobile or tablet, then take a look at our Mill Reef Stakes Live Stream page.
Race 9 - Ayr Gold Cup Tips
Around 85% of the top five placers in the last 16 renewals of the Ayr Gold Cup have been drawn in stall ten or wider, so I won't be backing anyone drawn lower than nine. The well-handicapped Rohaan has been drawn widest of all in stall 25, which could pose a few problems for a hold-up horse. I've been following Significantly this season too, but the form of Julie Camacho's yard is a real worry.
I'm going to have a punt on MR WAGYU, a former course-and-distance winner here at Ayr who has also finished third and fifth in the last two renewals of the Ayr Gold Cup. Jason Hart's mount was only beaten two lengths off a nine-pound higher mark 12 months ago and returns to Ayr on the back of a very good effort at the Curragh on Irish Champions Weekend.
Another who looks to be overpriced is the Stewards' Cup winner, ABERAMA GOLD, who also boasts winning form at this venue. David O'Meara's six-year-old has failed to replicate that Goodwood performance on his two subsequent starts, but Mark Winn - who has won on Aberama Gold this season - comes back in to take three-pounds off his back and he's drawn perfectly to challenge in stall 16.
