ITV Racing Tips: Aidan’s aces look to light up HQ

No shortage, as per, of superb racing courtesy of the ITV cameras on Saturday, October 12. Our ITV Racing tips come from Newmarket (five, including the Dewhurst and the Cesarewitch), and York (three, with the highlight arguably being the Listed Rockingham Stakes).

The prevailing fairly testing ground adds to the intrigue, and if as seems likely that remains the case, then staying power is an absolute must. Should be gripping - can't wait.

Horse Racing Odds

Today's Horse Races

Full ITV menu for Saturday, October 12

Newmarket

13:15 Space Blues Darley Stakes (Group 3) 1m 1f
13:50 Palace Pier Zetland Stakes (Group 3) 1m 2f
14:25 Emirates Autumn Stakes (Group 3) 1m
15:00 Darley Dewhurst Stakes (Group 1) 7f
15:35 Club Godolphin Cesarewitch (Handicap) 2m 2f

York
13:30 Coral Rockingham Stakes (Listed) 6f
14:05 Coral Daily Rewards Handicap 1m 2f
14:40 Coral Sprint Trophy (Handicap) 6f

Rationale;

13:15 Newmarket - Lead Artist @ 9/4

A trappy-looking heat at a quirky trip (1m 1f), about which it’s difficult to be too bullish.

However – there’s little doubt that the selection Lead Artist ticks plenty of boxes. Lightly-raced, his two excursions into Group class so far have yielded a win and an honourable second.

He’s a son of Dubawi out of a Frankel mare, and he’s opposed in the main by a smart handicapper (Liberty Lane) and some interesting older horses.

No heroic stakes, but if you’re having a bet he does appeal. Regular pilot Kieran Shoemark rides for Juddmonte/the Gosdens.

13:30 York - It Ain't Two each-way @ 17/2

A Listed 6f charge down a likely to be sodden Knavesmire – not for the faint of heart!

It’s also not a huge field, mercifully, but I’m unashamedly playing each-way. It Ain't Two represents juvenile maestro Hugo Palmer, and Jason Hart has the riding assignment.

The filly has won on the soft, crucially, and at a stiff track like Carlisle that’s doubly encouraging on the stamina front. York is an easy 6f but there’s nothing cushy about soft ground, which seems likely on Saturday after recent fairly biblical interventions.

Ran well here in a nursery at the Ebor meeting without quite landing a blow, on fast ground. This could be much more suitable.

Respectable efforts the last twice in Group 3 company, and represents a bit of value in my book.

13:50 Newmarket - Shackleton @ 2/1

Aidan O’Brien’s two-year-old Camelot colt; way behind the likes of The Lion In Winter perhaps in the Ballydoyle pecking order, but a potent threat in this 10f Group 3 at HQ.

Shackleton has run on three occasions, the last of which was readily the best; winning a 14-runner Curragh maiden cosily. It’s all about potential then really – a remark that could be liberally applied to the rest too.

All are taking a hike up in class, and huge improvement among lightly-raced two-year-olds is extremely likely. Shackleton, with Ryan Moore on top, represents something of a path of least resistance play.

Genius trainer, beautifully-bred horse, the yard are flying and R L Moore is doing the pushing. Yes please.

14:05 York - Bennetot each-way @ 10/1

Another trappy affair, and I’m taking advantage of the four each-way places on offer.

Bennetot is in the care of North Yorkshire trainer David O’Meara, and the excellent Danny Tudhope is in the plate. The five-year-old gelding ran in the Cambridgeshire two weeks ago and he was a running-on fourth, 3.75l down at the finish.

The ever-charming handicapper has seen fit to raise him a pound for that but he’s in form, goes well here, and has a nice draw in the four box.

14:25 Newmarket - Delacroix @ 7/4

Much smaller field for this 1m two-year-old test, but it’s to an ‘old firm’ entry that I’m turning once again.

Delacroix impressed me in defeat last time at Leopardstown, finishing powerfully to get to within half-a-length of Green Impact. The O’Brien/Moore conveyance will enjoy this stiffer mile and his sire Dubawi handled good-to-soft admirably.

He’s entered up in the Futurity at the end of the month and is one of so many Ballydoyle hopefuls that we’ll need to keep a very close eye on, going forward.

This one might just be my nap of the day.

14:40 York - Strike Red each-way @ 8/1

Proper York puzzle, huge sprint field, lovely prize.

We’re paying five places each-way (phew), so that’s exactly where I’m heading. Strike Red is from the mighty yard of Richard Fahey, so dangerous here down the years, and regular pilot Billy Garrity is on board.

This six-year-old gelded son of Dark Angel is a previous scorer here, and has won on the soft more than once. He’s vastly experienced and has held his form and handicap rating very well over the past few seasons.

In a similar contest here in August he was beaten by threequarters-of-a-length off this mark of 93, but that was on fast ground. The predicted testing conditions on Saturday could well play to his strengths.

15:00 Newmarket - Shadow Of Light @ 5/2

What a race. Some of the season’s very best two-year-olds in the legendary Dewhurst Stakes, won down the years by the likes of Nijinsky, El Gran Senor, Rock Of Gibraltar, Frankel, and a certain City Of Troy 12 months ago.

It’s red-hot, frankly, and I could have added a dozen or more subsequent Classic and indeed Epsom heroes that took this in their powerful stride.

Aidan and Ryan are here with The Lion In Winter, already our favourite for next year’s 2000 Guineas. A rival today, and potentially one next May too in the colts’ classic, is Godolphin’s Shadow Of Light.

He was imperious here over 6f a fortnight ago in the G1 Middle Park, pulverising his field and beating another Ballydoyle star Whistlejacket by a yawning 4l.

The selection is by Lope De Vega, who loved 7f as a juvenile then stepped up to a mile and beyond at three, taking both the French Guineas and Derby no less along the way.

The Lion In Winter won York’s Acomb impressively and has only had two runs in his life. He’s being talked up as a potential Triple Crown horse for next year but for now let’s savour what for me is readily the race of the day and a contest definitely in keeping with what’s gone before.

15:40 Newmarket - Manxman each-way @ 10/1

The Cesarewitch – lots of runners, an extreme test over 2m 2f, and a host of possibilities including plenty from Ireland. Six each-way places – you know the rest.

Manxman is with the Crisfords locally, and apprentice ‘find’ Sean D Bowen takes off a useful 3lb. The four-year-old has a 4lb penalty for a Southwell win 44 days ago but I rather think the son of Cracksman needed it, to be sure of getting a run in this.

He’s got form in testing ground and on stamina-led tracks (notably Pontefract) so he’s a tough cookie. We’re in career-high waters on 86 but he’s earned it – as indeed he deserves a tilt at this massive prize. Big e/w shout for me.

ITV Racing Tips from Betfred Insights.