ITV Racing Tips: No King George hold-ups for Bluestocking at Ascot

Tremendous racing on Saturday July 27 for us to enjoy live on ITV - it's the King George meeting at Ascot, and there's a terrific card featuring some absolute belters from historic York, too.

Our ITV Racing tips are then as follows; safe in the knowledge that the action is highly likely to take place on good, fairly swift summer ground, which at this time of the year is exactly how it should be. Enjoy!

Horse Racing Odds

Today's Horse Races

The ITV menu in full;

Ascot

13:50 THE SODEXO LIVE! PRINCESS MARGARET STAKES (Group 3) (CL 1) 6f

14:25 THE LONGINES VALIANT STAKES (Group 3) (CL 1) 7f

15:00 THE MOET & CHANDON INTERNATIONAL STAKES (CLASS 2) (HERITAGE HANDICAP) (CL 2) 7f

15:40 THE KING GEORGE VI AND QUEEN ELIZABETH QIPCO STAKES (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (CL 1) 1m 3f

York

14:05 THE SKY BET "JUMP JOCKEYS' NUNTHORPE" HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 4) (To be ridden by Professional Jump Jockeys) (CL 4) 5f

14:40 THE SKY BET DASH HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) 6f

15:15 THE SKY BET YORK STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 2) 1m 2f

Rationale;

13:50 Ascot - Simmering @ 7/4

Trainer Ollie Sangster is the grandson of legendary owner Robert. He trains at an equally-fabled family establishment, Manton; and this new-ish kid on the block has served an impressive apprenticeship that's included rubbing shoulders with the likes of Wes Ward in the USA, Charlie Hills, Joseph O'Brien in Ireland and Hugo Palmer.

His Simmering is a two-year-old Too Darn Hot filly that's run just twice. Promising York introduction in a novice won by a subsequent double Group race-winning Karl Burke filly; then the standout, a narrow defeat to Aidan's brilliant Fairy Godmother in the G3 Albany at the Royal meeting.

Some promising novices oppose who as we say could be anything - but they'll need to be very smart to upset Simmering in my book. Ollie and owners Al Shaqab Racing have booked Ryan Moore no less to do the steering, and she rates nap material for me amongst the ITV fancies on Saturday.

14:05 York - Strong Johnson each-way @ 10/1

One of those fabulous near-impossible York sprint puzzles to solve, made even more deadly by the fact that jump jockeys not their flat counterparts will be doing the pushing on top!

It's an annual thrill, as the National Hunt boys get to hurtle up the straight in their very own 'Nunthorpe.' Not many will habitually travel at speeds like this but their horsemanship of course is beyond question.

Betfred are paying FIVE places, so that's exactly the way I'll be playing this and I've high hopes that Strong Johnson can nab one of them. He's an experienced campaigner but has looked in the grip of the handicapper of late. He does however get a drop of a whole pound from his last mark - thank heavens for small mercies.

Given his age and experience that could help in carrying the much heavier weight given the nature of the race, and though it's one for very small stakes in my view I'll be a having a few bob each-way and enjoying the spectacle. Sam Twiston-Davies rides for Paul Midgley.

14:25 Ascot - Soprano @ 3/1

Another absolute cracker, a one-mile G3 for fillies and mares.

Soprano is trained by George Boughey at Newmarket, and will be ridden by the brilliant youngster Billy Loughnane. The three-year-old daughter of Starspangledbanner won the 30-runner Sandringham at Royal Ascot, then for me was just a shade disappointing next time at Sandown in a Listed contest (third, beaten less that 2l).

That was on soft ground which may have been a factor, and I'm hoping Soprano can bounce back today. This race takes place on the round course, and the Sandringham success was achieved on the straight track. Don't in all honesty see that as an issue as she's experienced, and in very good hands.

The trainer is operating at around a 21% strike-rate over the last fortnight and on official ratings Soprano is considered equal to or better than anything in the field. A stunner that I can't wait to saviour.

14:40 York - Manila Scouse each-way @ 8/1

A 6f cavalry charge, and nearly £40k to the winner. York in a nutshell!

Manila Scouse is an experienced five-year-old sprinter who certainly wins in his turn, as many speedsters do. His last 'turn' was in June at Hamilton off a mark of 79, and he operates from five spots higher today.

He's won off 81 in the past and yes, we're hoping for a career-best if he's to win. We're paying four places and Duran Fentiman rides for Tim Easterby. Proper Yorkshire combo. No heroic stakes for me, but a nice each-way tickle.

15:00 Ascot - Orazio @ 5/1

Another that brings high-quality Royal Ascot form to the table.

Orazio was third in the 25-runner Wokingham, beaten less than a length, and has been hiked by the miserable old handicapper 3lb for his fine effort in defeat.

The five-year-old gelding steps up a furlong today and weighing that last performance it looks a smart move. He's only ever tackled 6f but was doing all his best work late in the piece five weeks ago.

Will Buick is on top for trainer Charlie Hills, who evidently thinks the 7f will be no problem - he's entered up in two 7f G2 contests in August, and September.

15:15 York - Alflaila @ 9/4

I fancied this one in the Prince of Wales's at the Royal meeting and after a messy start he just couldn't quite get into it, finishing nearly 4l behind winner Auguste Rodin, who tries his luck today in the King George.

Alflaila is a five-year-old Dark Angel horse who's entered up in both the Juddmonte here next month and the Irish Champion Stakes. Top G1 contests - so we're hoping connections feel like this G2 is well within compass, as do I.

He's been very lightly-raced in the last couple of seasons and I hope he's back in the kind of nick shown here when taking this very event 12 months ago. He also took the Strensall at the Festival in 2022 - York seems to suit.

How about dotting up today and returning next month for that Juddmonte date? Works for me.

15:40 Ascot - Bluestocking @ 9/2

One of my favourite racehorses of the season. I was lucky enough to see her in the flesh at York in May and what a sight she is!

Bluestocking sauntered to a G2 Middleton Stakes win that day, then went to Ireland for the G1 Pretty Polly at the Curragh. Emily Upjohn shot clear but Bluestocking collared her close home in a thriller.

AP O'Brien's Content was around 3l further back and for me she should have won the Irish Oaks last weekend at this 1m 4f trip, having to attack from deep and through a stack of traffic. She finished like a train and in a further stride or two would have prevailed.

Red-hot form then - but it will need to be as the four-year-old daughter of Camelot steps up in trip (she's no stranger to it) from those last two 10f victories.

Throw in opponents like Auguste Rodin and Luxembourg and she'll have to be on her mettle - but for me she's an outstanding filly that's really come into her own this term.

She travels, quickens, she's game, and genuine. Just what you need in a high-class racecourse. Taking a King George would be quite the thing but the season trainer Ralph Beckett and jockey Rossa Ryan are having, no-one would bat an eyelid.

ITV Racing Tips from Betfred Insights.