Newsboy's top five Saturday horse racing tips for ITV cards from Ayr and Newbury

Our tipster Newsboy gives his verdict on five of the races shown live on the channel, including the Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup. Mister Sketch, an juvenile sprinter trained by Eve Johnson Houghton, is among his Newbury selections

HISTORY beckons for SUMMERGHAND in the Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup (3.35) today.

It is 92 years since Heronslea became the last horse to land back-to-back runnings of the six-furlong cavalry charge - but David O’Meara’s stable stalwart has what it takes to follow suit. The evergreen performer’s 17 career victories include wins in some of the toughest sprints, including the 2020 Stewards’ Cup at Glorious Goodwood and when defeating Commanche Falls in this contest 12 months ago.

Danny Tudhope’s partner returns to Scotland’s west coast at the top of his game, having dead-heated with this afternoon’s rival Albasheer at York’s Ebor Festival last month. My selection didn’t enjoy the rub of the green in the “Bold Lad” Sprint Handicap at the Curragh 13 days ago when he stormed home into fourth.

Summerghand must defy a mark of 107 and top weight however this remarkable nine-year-old is fancied to prove up to the job.

WOBWOBWOB and Hollie Doyle look a potent combination in the Virgin Bet Ayr Bronze Cup (1.50).

Adrian Keatley’s five-year-old stepped back to six furlongs for the Great St Wilfrid Handicap at Ripon on his most recent start. Fitted with a visor, Wobwobwob beat his seven rivals who raced down the stands’ rail - but couldn’t get to grips with Sophia’s Starlight and Summerghand on the far side.

The British Horseracing Authority number cruncher has left my selection on a mark of 87 and, under similar conditions, Wobwobwob should give another good account.

The Group 3 Virgin Bet Best Odds Daily Firth Clyde Stakes (3.00) is a good opportunity for GREAT GENERATION to extend her unbeaten record.

Holy Roman Emperor's daughter added to a debut success at Haydock Park in July with a three-and-a-quarter-length margin in a novice stakes for fillies at Chester three weeks ago - and there is plenty more where that came from.

A return to Listed company for the Virgin Bet Daily Extra Places Doonside Cup Stakes (1.50) should prove within range for PRIDE OF AMERICA. Amy Murphy's six-year-old has been thriving in handicaps, including a nose call in the John Smith’s Cup at York in July and, with My Prospero a non-runner, is the bet horse in the race according to official figures.

MISTER SKETCH has untapped potential to draw up on as he steps up to Group 2 company for the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes (3.15) at Newbury.

An easy-to-back 18-1 shot when making his debut over today’s course and distance in July, Eve Johnson Houghton’s youngster showed abundant promise for the future when a neck second to James’s Delight.

Mister Sketch was the 8-13 favourite to go one better in a field of eight at Salisbury in the middle of last month - and did so in style.

Never far away under Charlie Bishop, my selection hit the front on the run to the final quarter mile and surged clear to humble Sedgemoor by nine and a half lengths. That victory caught the eye of Wathnan Racing, who purchased the son of Territories.

This afternoon’s £58,014 won’t cover his new owner’s outlay, but it’s a start - and a win today should see Mister Sketch compete at Group 1 level next time.