Seven races to enjoy live on Saturday afternoon, August 19th, courtesy of the ITV cameras. Last week’s effort was a very good one – three winners at the Shergar Cup at very decent prices, and a 6/1 shot advised also at Haydock Park.

Plenty to live up to then as we tackle three from Newbury, one from HQ at Newmarket and a couple from Ripon.

Here’s Saturday afternoon’s ITV race programme.

Newbury
1:50 Bet Victor Geoffrey Freer Stakes (Group 3) – 1m 5 1/2 f
2:25 Highclere Castle Gin Handicap – 5f
3:00 BetVictor Handicap – 7f
3:35 BetVictor Hungerford Stakes (Group 2) – 7f

Newmarket
2:05 JenningsBet Grey Horse Handicap – 6f

Ripon
2:40 William Hill Silver Trophy Handicap – 6f
3:15 William Hill Great St Wilfrid Handicap – 6f

Newbury 1:50 – Klondike @ 4/1

A beautifully-bred 3yr-old colt by Galileo, trained by William Haggas, and the mount of Tom Marquand. Already got a massive amount going for him. Unraced at two, Klondike has only seen the racecourse on three occasions, and is progressive. Won his maiden at Newbury, and two highly respectable placed efforts have followed.

Listed company first up at Goodwood, then a Group 3 over this trip at Newmarket. Get the feeling he’s being brought along patiently by connections, and it might just be time for everything to come together nicely. On the limited evidence so far he seems versatile as far as ground conditions go, and he’s saddled with a lovely racing weight of 8st 12lb.

Newmarket 2:05 – Divine Libra @ 11/2

Something of a class dropper here, as the US pundits would say. Fine 2l third in an HQ handicap two notches above this last time, and returns to course and distance with a terrific, undeniable chance.

Races off the same mark of 86 and has the assistance of The Doyler for the first time. By sprinter Dark Angel, this one began life racing over 6f but has found his niche over a furlong less the last twice and could be ready to strike for his excellent trainer Charlie Hills.

Newbury 2:25 – Harry Brown each-way @ 7/1

A son of Harry Angel this time – a 3-yr-old who ran a cracker in a massive Ascot Class 2 Heritage Handicap last time and drops to a ‘3’ over the minimum again.

This one is ultra-consistent, and a credit to connections. Trainer David Simcock has secured regular pilot Hayley Turner and though his wins so far have been on the all-weather, turf efforts are impressive enough.

Harry Brown raced off 91 last time and enjoys a welcome bit of respite now off 87. We’re paying 4 places, it’s a nice e/w price, so that’s the way I’m leaning.

Ripon 2:40 – Fortamour each-way @ 13/2

A Class 4 6f sprint for the Silver Trophy, big field, and absolutely wide-open. Good ground is predicted, so hopefully the draw won’t inconvenience too many.

My selection is a 7-yr-old who certainly enjoys the North Yorkshire air. Local handler Ben Haslam loves coming here with this fella, and he’s slipping to a dangerous-looking handicap mark in my book. 78 today – but has won at this venue off 85. Paul Hanagan takes the mount, and knows him well.

We’re paying FIVE places, so that’s the sensible option to me. Excellent, narrowly-beaten 2nd in a Class 3 here last time, off a pound lower.

Newbury 3:00 – Hectic each-way @ 10/1

One of my favourite apprentices of the moment, Alec Voikhansky, takes the mount here on Richard Hannon’s 3-yr-old colt. This is a step up to Class 2 from recent slightly lesser efforts, but was a fine 2nd here in the grade in April.

Broke his maiden at Newbury just over 12 months ago so evidently goes well here, and has been plying his trade at the major tracks in general – HQ, Haydock, Goodwood, York, Donny. I like that.

Alec brings with him a valuable 5lb claim, and for me he’s so accomplished that that’s a fantastic bonus. Four places e/w are being paid, so once again we’ll be sensible and play that way.

Ripon 3:15 – Dream For Gold each-way @ 12/1

The Great St Wilfred – a famous old 6f handicap with a lovely pot of £50k+ to the winner. FIVE places each-way, so in a big competitive field that’s a plus.

My selection is trained by Yorkshire’s Kevin Ryan and ridden by the excellent Josie Gordon. At 3 he seems to be improving, and produced a career-best at HQ last time in this grade. He’s creeping up the handicap mainly on the back of superb placed efforts which is frustrating, but this upward curve after wind surgery in March could well continue for me.

This then is his toughest test but I’m hopeful that he’s ready for it. Luck in running would be a blessing, but at the price he’s surely got an e/w shout.

Newbury 3:35 – Jumby @ 3/1

Group 2 action in the 7f Hungerford Stakes. Highly competitive, a field of 10 expected, and the selection is a 5-yr-old horse who’s been keeping pretty warm company of late.

In HQ’s Criterion last time Jumby finished 2nd beaten a couple of lengths by Audience, who has subsequently run well at Goodwood in the Lennox. Prior to that he won the John of Gaunt at Haydock (G3) cosily, and 7f seems to be his trip.

Chindit finished ahead of Jumby in the Lockinge but our selection probably didn’t stay the mile on the day. Smashing race this, and a cracker with which to conclude our little feast.