Horse Racing Tips
ITV Racing Tips: Newmarket NAP & Best Bets As Jumps Season Kicks Into Gear At Chepstow
There is live ITV racing on both Friday and Saturday this week with coverage from Newmarket, York and Chepstow.
Newmarket host their two-day Future Champions Festival, York is holding their season finale, while the new jump season gets underway with Chepstow’s Welsh Racing Festival.
Our horse racing expert Steven Mullington casts his eye over all the televised races:
1.15 Newmarket – 5f Cornwallis Stakes (Group 3)
The Simon and Ed Crisford stable boasts an impressive 31% strike rate with their two-year-olds at the track.
With top course jockey William Buick booked to ride, FLANN SUNNA is the percentage call in this Group 3 contest.
1.50 Newmarket – 7f Oh So Sharp Stakes (Group 3 – Fillies)
On an official rating of 97, the Richard Hannon-trained DARK ISSUE can go well. Though her recent form line is a mixed 14824, her Albany Stakes form at Royal Ascot should be good enough to land this race.
2.05 York – 7f EBF £100,000 Final (Colts & Geldings)
Trained by top juvenile handler Karl Burke, WAASIL has a progressive profile with a decent record this term.
Despite experiencing trouble at Doncaster last time, he ran on well there and can do even better on the Knavesmire.
2.25 Newmarket – 7f Challenge Stakes (Group 2)
TIME TO TURN (NAP) looks like the one to beat, especially given the fact that he receives a 2lb weight-for-age allowance from his older rivals.
The Charlie Appleby-trained colt represents a stable that excels on the Rowley Mile.
2.40 York – 1m6f William Hill Finale Handicap
Target trainers for this race historically include William Haggas and Ralph Beckett, so I am siding with Haggas’ GASPACHO today.
Darling of the course, Joanna Mason gets the ride and she can get the most out of this filly on Friday.
2.57 Newmarket – 1m Fillies’ Mile (Group 1)
MUSICAL TIMES (NB) is a perfect three from three thus far in her fledgling career. She put in a brilliant performance last time at Doncaster, cruising to a seven and a half lengths victory the Group 2 May Hill Stakes over this one-mile trip.
There is every reason to believe she will go in again, and at 1/2 odds in our horse racing betting, she is a popular choice with punters.
3.12 Chepstow – 2m Welsh Champion Hurdle
Trainer Dan Skelton comes into the race mobhanded, but I shall be taking him on with my each-way fancy FILIBUSTERING.
Formerly a regular on the flat for Tim Easterby, the five-year-old has taken well to hurdling under Harry Derham, and his experience can come to the fore in this hurdle.
3.30 Newmarket – 1m4f Old Rowley Cup Handicap
TURTY TREE comes here on the back of a career-best performance on Sept 5, where he landed a highly competitive Class 2 Heritage Handicap at Ascot over this same distance.
Odds of 6/1 in our sports betting look competitive for this strong Andrew Balding/Oisin Murphy charge.
3.43 Chepstow – 2m3½f Persian War Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
COSMIC CONNECTION signed off last season by carrying top-weight to victory in the highly competitive Class 2 bet365 Novices’ Championship Final Handicap Hurdle at Sandown.
Chris Gordon’s five-year-old has a wonderful Chepstow record and it is easy to see why punters want to back him.
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
