ITV Racing Tips: Glittering pre-Royal Ascot Saturday feast

NINE races are being covered LIVE by the ITV cameras on Saturday. The World Cup might be up and running but there's fabulous action from the likes of York, Chester and Sandown on the channel this afternoon (it's York's big Macmillan Charity day), and of course the small matter of Royal Ascot next week. What a time to be a sports fan!

Here's a look at those contests, with a suggestion or three as to how they might just play out. Have a great weekend.

Horse Racing Odds

Full ITV schedule

13:35 Chester - 6f handicap

13:50 York - 1m 4f Queen Mother’s Cup Handicap

14:10 Chester - 7.5f Handicap

14:25 York - 7f Macmillan Handicap

14:42 Sandown - 5f Scurry Stakes

15:00 York - 1m 6f Listed Stakes

15:17 Sandown - 1m Handicap

15:35 York - 6f Macmillan Sprint Handicap

15:55 Sandown - 7f Handicap

Rationale;

13:35 Chester - Bolo Neighs @ 5/2

This four-year-old Ralph Beckett-trained sprinter took a £16k contest at Ascot when last seen 36 days ago and has been raised 4lb for that, but he still appeals to me at least as the most likely winner of this similar affair on the Roodee.

Bolo Neighs was lucky enough to have Rossa Ryan on his back in Berkshire, but Ed Greatrex steps up today with Ryan doing his thing at York. The horse is in-form and has operated recently at Class 2 level. In the autumn of 2024, after taking a richly-endowed Curragh two-year-old heat (Goffs 500) he was rated 99.

He's down to 94 now but might just be motoring right back to his very best.

14:10 Chester - Jeddaal @ 7/2

Another visit to historic Chester, and a progressive three-year-old from the yard of Upper Lambourn-based Ed Walker.

Jeddaal runs in the famous predominantly yellow silks of Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, and is a gelded son of the mighty Lope De Vega. Jockey Ashley Lewis takes off a handy 5lb.

When last seen in a lower grade than this the selection was a running-on third beaten 1.75l at Haydock five weeks ago, and is stepping up in class this afternoon. No fancy entries, but a promising type and I'm keeping on the right side of him.

Drawn six isn't the best but it could be worse; and he's got 7.5f to sort out a decent trip.

14:25 York - Mirabeau @ 15/2

Will Buick rides this four-year-old gelding for trainer Dominic Ffrench-Davis.

Mirabeau has three wins to his name from 15 starts, and seems versatile in terms of trip, having tried distances ranging from 6f to 1m 2.5f. His latest effort was probably as good as anything he's produced, at Newbury four weeks ago, under a length adrift of the winner in a Class 2 (6f) under Buick for the first time.

That the partnership is retained today is a big plus, and he drops down a notch here into Class 3 company. Lots to like then, and up just a pound from that last terrific effort, albeit at a furlong less, we know today's 7f is perfectly appropriate and his chance is surely there for all to see.

14:42 Sandown - Manatee Mehmas @ 11/2

Trainer David O'Meara sends his three-year-old Mehmas gelding about 230 miles south to contest this Listed heat over the minimum distance.

Manatee Mehmas has run twice - a debut success in a Donny novice, and a fine effort at York in a Listed event, beaten 3.75l nearly a month ago. With further improvement highly possible on only his third start there's cause for optimism, even if he has got a bit to find on official figures.

Market rivals preferred at present include Words Of Truth and Military Code, but they both have six races under their belts and the selection is far less exposed. Let's hope that long journey is rewarded.

15:00 York - Al Qareem @ 2/1

A wonderfully consistent seven-year-old warrior now - the very dictionary definition of game, genuine and gutsy.

Karl Burke once more is the trainer, and his gelded son of an Irish 2000 Guineas winner is the subject of our admiration - Al Qareem. His record is 13 wins from 37 starts, with nine seconds and three thirds for good measure.

He won this race last year on good to firm, making all, and tactically expect a repeat bid. I feel he appreciates a drop of juice in the ground ideally but runs with distinction on a quicker surface, too.

He loves it around York and is devilishly hard to pass. Jockey Cliff Lee knows him backwards and whatever happens the others will know they've been in a race.

This superstar beat Bluestocking at Chester less than three years ago, conceding nearly a stone, and she went on to win the Arc. What a treat to see him in action again.

15:17 Sandown - High Degree @ 10/3

Tom Marquand and trainer William Haggas combine with this four-year-old Too Darn Hot gelding, looking to build upon a career-best at Newbury last time on seasonal reappearance, this time over 2f further.

High Degree was beaten just 2l in a Class slightly lower, and drops back to a mile today. He's in the Hunt Cup next week at the Royal meeting but that will involve a very swift turnaround, and he'd probably need to win this and get a penalty to be among the 30 facing the starter.

This prize of around £18k could be far more realistic and the yard's flying - a 30% strike-rate over the last 14 days.

15:35 York - Postmodern @ 10/1

Time now for a Wathnan Racing inmate, usual retained jockey James Doyle on board, looking to pocket a handsome £64k or thereabouts to the winner. Big field, with any number seriously fancying their chances.

Postmodern is a three-year-old Too Darn Hot gelding with one win from five starts so far. He was last seen in action at Meydan in early March, going under by just a short-head in decent handicap company.

He's operating from a lofty mark (98) but this feasibly could be something of a breakout season and it wouldn't be difficult to see him taking higher rank in the sprint division, perhaps starting in Yorkshire on Saturday.

He's drawn in mid-div, stall 11, so could hold a decent slot up the middle as they hurtle up the straight.

15:55 Sandown - Sovereign Ocean @ 6/1

The concluding race on the channel is another trappy cracker; a 7f handicap for three-year-olds.

Marco Botti saddles Sovereign Ocean, a Ten Sovereigns colt who has won two of his three starts to date. Nicely progressive stuff, too, with a big leap taken when last seen at Wolves on Boxing Day. He's back contesting this after a break of 169 days, and holds a Bunbury Cup engagement at HQ in July.

The excellent Benoit De La Sayette has the riding assignment on a horse who transferred to his present yard just before that last emphatic performance, having been with Iain Jardine previously.

Fascinating to see what he might be capable of, and is understandably up 7lb for that decisive score in the West Midlands.

NAPS Table with Betfred Insights.