ITV Racing Tips: Family affairs at Market Rasen – including 6/1 shot

Not quite the sheer volume of last week's ITV output, but some fabulous Saturday racing again from the channel. We're at Newbury and Market Rasen for a delightful mix - Listed and Group contests on the flat in Berkshire, and fantastic prize money for the cream of summer jumpers up at 'Rasen.

So without further ado ...

Horse Racing Odds

Today's Horse Races

ITV Schedule in full;

Newbury

13:50 Bet Victor Stakes - 1m 2f

14:25 Mettal Handicap - 2m 1/2f

15:00 Fidelity Energy Hackwood Stakes - 6f

15:35 Weatherbys Super Sprint - 5f

Market Rasen

14:05 Unibet Handicap Hurdle - 2m 4f

14:40 Unibet Summer Hurdle - Handicap - 2m

15:15 Unibet Summer Plate - Handicap Chase - 2m 5f

Rationale;

13:50 Newbury - Alyanaabi @ 4/6

I'm not in all candour seeing this as much of a betting opportunity. Alyanaabi ran a mighty race in the St James's Palace Stakes at the Royal meeting and steps down from that Group 1 to a Listed event.

A rival running in the same Shadwell silks, Al Aasy, hasn't run for 287 days, and at the age of seven may or may not come back to something like his best. If he did, he's certainly up to winning this, but we'd be taking a chance.

Savvy Victory ran a fine race in defeat at Sandown a fortnight ago in a similar race to this, and has Oisin Murphy on top - a man in the form of his life. I'm happy to just watch this one frankly, and though Alyanaabi appeals as the most likely winner I'll be enjoying it greatly without neccessarily supporting any of the field with my hard-earned.

14:05 Market Rasen - Flying Fortune each-way @ 4/1

Not one of the biggest prizes of the day but no-one is turning away £12k if it's on offer, thank you very much. Raiders well-versed in plundering the better summer jump racing prizes are the redoubtable Bowens, and their Flying Fortune just has to be in this conversation.

We're paying four places, that's the way I'm leaning for a bit of insurance, but this five-year-old Soldier Of Fortune mare surely has an undeniable chance. Lightly-campaigned of late - just a little novice hurdle at Uttoxeter 20 days ago (placed) since a decent Southwell effort at around Cheltenham-time.

I sense a plan coming together, and another chunk of MR summer jumping cash could be on its way to Pembrokeshire. James is the brother on board, and Sean will be prominent I'll wager for much of the rest of the afternoon, too, with animals expertly prepared by Peter and Michael. Bowen power.

14:25 Newbury - Kyle Of Lochalsh @ 7/2

Stayers have their moment here, in a contest a smidge over 2m. Our selection has the brilliant Hollie Doyle doing the steering, Hughie Morrison trains, and there's a big pot up for grabs.

Kyle Of Lochalsh is a four-year-old colt that's been lightly-raced in 2024. His last two efforts (May and June) have signalled a very significant form upturn, winning easily at Salisbury then running a blinder at Ascot in a challenge much like this, from a 10lb higher mark.

He's been nudged up another couple of pounds for that latest effort 32 days ago (beaten 3l), but looks to me to have turned into a genuine contender now at this level. Hollie can do the business on Saturday.

14:40 Market Rasen - Manuelito @ 6/1

Another racing dynasty of note - the pride of Nicholashayne, Devon. The name's Pipe. These days, David Pipe. Manuelito had an unusual prep for this in a flat contest at Carlisle 33 days ago under Tom Marquand, finishing a decent second (beaten 5l).

The beautifully-bred four-year-old Cracksman gelding out of an Authorized mare had won prior to that at Ffos Las in May with ease off a mark of 113. He's up to 121 today but that doesn't look inappropriate for this improver.

We're paying five places so even as I expect him to be up around the head of the market, at current prices he makes plenty of appeal regarding that little bit of insurance e/w betting affords. The choice as they say is entirely yours.

15:00 Newbury - Diligent Harry each-way @ 9/1

Wide-open Group 3 for me, and I'm looking for some each-way value. Diligent Harry is from the stable of the excellent Clive Cox, and Derby-winning jock Richard Kingscote (Desert Crown, 2022) is in the plate.

'Harry' was highly-tried last time in a G1 at the Royal meeting, but before that ran Mill Stream to a nose and a neck in a York G2. That winner has since come out and won the G1 July Cup.

York was over today's 6f trip - Ascot was a furlong shorter. All the form lines point to a fine chance of being super-competitive in what should be an absolute thriller.

15:15 Market Rasen - Boombawn each-way @ 11/2

The big one - the Summer Plate. £56k to the winner. We're paying five places again, so let's take advantage.

Boombawn represents another of racing's most prominent families. Mr and Mrs Skelton evidently didn't raise any anonymous children as trainer Dan and jockey Harry are right up at the top of their respective professions.

Their representative is a seven-year-old gelding by Arc winner Dylan Thomas, progressing most pleasingly. He was a decent hurdler and after just three runs over the larger obstacles he's certainly making his mark.

The brothers have taken so many good handicaps in recent years at the bigger meetings, and I'm hopeful that this will be another.

15:35 Newbury - Time For Sandals @ 5/1

A big two-year-old sales sprint race, one of several held around the country throughout the season. A superb bonus if you buy a horse at a particular event that puts on a richly-endowed affair like this, and he/she turns out to be a flyer!

I think one that fits that bill perfectly is Time For Sandals, Kingscote once again is up, and the trainer is Newmarket handler Harry Eustace. £128k will go the way of the winner, so it's incredibly serious stuff.

The Sands Of Mali filly carries just 8st 8lb as she hasn't won a fancy race nor was her purchase price prohibitive - there are potential penalties for both. She has run once - a cosy success in a Kempton maiden just over three weeks ago, over 6f.

She steps down to 5f now and though her sire operated at 6f and she's entered in the G2 Lowther over the trip at the Ebor Festival next month, I hope she'll get away with it once. In such a big field, and in a race likely to be run at a breakneck tempo, that ability to stay a little further could be a godsend in the white heat of battle.

If you're playing take care, good luck, and above all, have fun.

ITV Racing Tips from Betfred Insights.