TEN races – including the Irish Champion Stakes and the Sprint Cup – are to be aired live on ITV this Saturday.

Below is a selection for almost every race from Kempton, Haydock, Ascot and Leopardstown.

13:35 Kempton – Candleford @ 5/1

Sir Michael Stoute’s 121-rated Bay Bridge is, officially and actually, the best horse in the field for the G3 September Stakes over 1m4f and ought to be very hard to beat if he shows up on top form.

However, with slight concerns regarding fitness following an 80-day break and how he’ll cope on a synthetic surface for the first time, I’m taking him on.

Similar thoughts apply to Israr, who also has a 5lb penalty for beating the retired Adayar last time out, so it’s Candleford for the in-form William Haggas who gets a tentative vote.

The five-year-old is proven on the all-weather and comes into this on the back of a career-best showing at Windsor two weeks ago. Eased at the finish, he comfortably beat Stoute’s Solid Stone and Lion’s Pride – my antepost selection for the Betfred St Leger next weekend for the Gosdens.

He’ll likely need the favourite to underperform or take another significant step forward himself, but he’s worth a little wager at current odds.

13:50 Haydock – Light Infantry @ 13/8

Next up is another Group 3 – namely the Superior Mile Stakes – and this time I’m with the favourite.

David Simcock’s Light Infantry has placed at the highest level three times this term and now drops significantly in class. There’s some nice rivals here, such as Richard Hannon’s Chindit and Regal Reality for Sir Michael, but there’s no Inspiral, Triple Time, Modern Games, etc…

I think Haydock’s long, galloping straight will suit this horse. He’s been tried as a front-runner lately, but I suspect they’ll revert to trademark Jamie Spencer tactics here which can see the four-year-old record his first win since his juvenile season in 2021!

14:10 Kempton – NO BET

I feel it’d be insincere for me suggest anything in this race. Pick-a-name-out-the-hat stuff for me.

14:25 Haydock – Denmark @ 5/2

On the contrary, my strongest fancy for Saturday’s live ITV races is Aidan O’Brien’s Denmark who contests this Class 2 handicap over 1m6f.

The three-year-old son of Camelot returned from a 146-day break, on only his fourth start, to finish a fantastic second to John & Thady Gosden’s Betfred St Leger hope Middle Earth in the Melrose Handicap at York’s Ebor Festival.

That was a serious performance, giving 4lbs to a talented, rapidly-improving horse. I’d expect Denmark to come on for the run big time, which should see him get the better of main market rival Naqeeb, who has also been beaten by Middle Earth but off level weights.

I really fancy this one under the fantastic James Doyle.

14:35 Ascot – Love De Vega e/w @ 15/2

After a few quiet weeks, Charlie Johnston is hitting a bit of form and Love De Vega has already benefited from that courtesy of his comfortable success at Musselburgh just 10 days ago.

He’s shown a high level of ability at times throughout his career, but has ultimately struggled to find consistency. Dare I say it looks like that barrier may have been broken, as the four-year-old bids for a three-timer when he lines up for this Class 2 handicap over 7f.

Conditions suit, the booking of David Probert is a plus and I don’t think a 6lb rise is necessarily going to stop him. With Betfred paying four places on this one, I think he rates a decent each-way prospect.

14:45 Leopardstown – Tahiyra @ 5/6

It’d take a brave individual to back against Tahiyra here.

The three-year-old is a fantastic filly who’s already beaten some of these – and should do so again. Stablemate Homeless Songs is probably her main danger, but on this ground after 157 days on the sidelines? Not for me.

My advice for this one is simple: sit back and enjoy, or play the favourite.

15:00 Haydock – Forza Orta e/w @ 7/1

This was almost another ‘no bet’ race, but after deeper inspection I think Kevin Ryan’s Forza Orta represents great each-way value for the Old Borough Cup over 1m6f.

The five-year-old was triumphant at his first attempt over further than 1m5f when taking the Stayers Handicap at the Ebor Festival the other week.

He beat Andrew Balding’s Aztec Empire, who’s currently our 9/2 favourite for Saturday’s race, that day. Answers on a postcard as to why there’s such a big price difference, then.

Presumably it’s because Balding’s horse went down as an unlucky loser, but Forza Orta’s trip was an equally troublesome one and the former is only a pound better off here.

I suspect the two will be bang there at the finish again, and I’m siding with the bigger-priced horse with a ‘1’ next to his name.

15:10 Ascot – Overactive @ 11/2

Frankly, anything could win this Heritage Handicap over 1m4f. However, my penny lands – just about – on the hat-trick seeking Overactive for the red-hot Ralph Beckett.

He’s started to fly up the handicap and has relished the step up to such trips. On the evidence of his most recent victory at Leicester, the three-year-old could have plenty more in the tank despite a 7lb higher mark.

15:20 Leopardstown – Nashwa @ 6/1

ITV’s coverage on Saturday concludes with a Group 1 double-header that begins with a cracking renewal of the Irish Champion Stakes.

King Of Steel and Auguste Rodin are, on peak form at least, dangerous with their weight-for-age allowance, but there are questions to be answered and they face some serious rivals here.

The pick of the bunch for me is John & Thady Gosden’s Nashwa, who arguably posted a career-best performance when splitting Mostahdaf and Paddington in the Juddmonte International at York the other week.

This is her optimum trip, she’s in peak form and the Gosdens have won this race three times in the last ten years. She’s a great price too.

15:35 Haydock – Shaquille @ 5/6

Finally, it’s the Sprint Cup – and to be frank, I can’t see Julie Camacho’s superstar Shaquille beat.

The three-year-old isn’t a straightforward ride by any means, but he’s an exceptional racehorse and this looks an easier assignment than his last couple.

He should win to make it 5-5 for the season and complete the G1 hat-trick.