ITV horse racing tips and best bets for Ascot, Haydock and Newmarket on Saturday, August 8
There was finally a bit of wet weather about this week, proving that Sports News Blitz racing tipster Jeff Mexico’s naked high street rain dances are finally working.
It started in May, and Jeff has gradually removed his clothing with every little jig.
This week he reached his undergarments, a red one-piece union suit with a drop seat, beloved by 19th century gold prospectors.
After a rather clumsy version of the running man at the Green Lanes Shopping Centre in Barnstaple, his arse popped out of the drop seat, the heavens opened and rain finally fell.
Jeff was then promptly arrested by Devon police, but luckily he still had time to send us his tips for this weekend’s nine-race ITV action at Ascot, Newmarket and Haydock.
Jeff Mexico’s racing tips
“Don’t worry, he’s friendly”, the usual call of dog owners as their canine leaps up and attempts to sniff your crotch.
Yet nobody says this when I try to sniff someone’s crotch. Why are dogs any better than me?
For the record, to stop a dog sniffing your crotch you should pour a can of cold tomato soup on their heads. It usually sends them packing sharpish, although it only works with Batchelors soup and not Heinz.
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13:35 (Ascot) Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash
Main tip: Kendall Roy
Has shown he's capable of competing off this sort of mark and arrives after some solid sprint handicap efforts. Draw looks workable and is less exposed than several of the older handicappers.
Each-Way Tip: Fahrenheit Seven
Consistent handicap sprinter who regularly runs to his mark. Previous form suggests a truly-run 5f is ideal.
13:55 (Newmarket) Sweet Solera Stakes (Group 3)
Main tip: Nuit D’Eclair
Small field, so just one horse gets the nod and I’m siding with Nuit D’Eclair.
Shaped like a filly with considerable upside on her winning debut. Pedigree suggests she'll relish this extra furlong.
With only one start under her belt, she's open to more improvement than several of her rivals.
14:10 (Ascot) Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers
Main tip: Beylerbeyi
Has consistently shaped as though races around 2 miles are ideal, and Ascot's demanding finish should play to his strengths as he’s a reliable traveller who can find something extra under pressure. His handicap mark still looks fair.
Each-way tip: Mountain Road
Has long looked capable of winning a valuable staying handicap when everything falls into place. Can be overlooked after one or two quieter runs, but those efforts have often come under less suitable conditions.
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14:25 (Haydock) Betway Rose of Lancaster Stakes (Group 3)
Main tip: Danger Bay
Just five turning out for this Group 3, so I’m lumping on one horse and it’s Danger Bay, who might offer a little more value than his rivals.
His form has already been tested in better company than some of these, and his official rating leaves him with very little to find. Conditions are ideal and has regularly produced figures that make him highly competitive at this level.
14:45 (Ascot) Shergar Cup Challenge
Main tip: Frances Ethel
She has competed with credit in stronger handicaps and Listed company, and mark still looks workable if she returns in the same form she showed late last season. Is a strong traveller and is fresh as this is her seasonal return.
Each-way: Genealogy
Lightly raced for his age, so there's still scope for improvement compared with several exposed handicappers. Trip suits and has a strong finish.
15:00 (Haydock) Irish Stallion Farms Dick Herb Stakes (Listed)
Main tip: Alobayyah
Produced a career-best when winning the ultra-competitive Kensington Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, beating a huge field after travelling strongly throughout. Still relatively lightly raced and looks capable of finding another few pounds. The stiff mile at Haydock should suit her perfectly.
Each-way tip: Calendar Girl
Has raced only a handful of times and still has more improvement in her than many of the older mares. Receiving 7 lb from the older horses is a significant advantage in a Listed race at this stage of the season.
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15:20 (Ascot) Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint
Main tip: Cape Ashizuri
Looked on an upward curve this season and still appears to have improvement left from his current handicap mark. He doesn't look overburdened by the assessor and has the scope to run a career best.
Each-way tip: May Angel
Has shown enough pace to be competitive in good sprint handicaps and still looks relatively unexposed over 6f. Form suggests she's capable of improving again against her own age group.
15:55 (Ascot) Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Classic
Main tip: Pierre Grosse
Hasn't had many starts and has shaped as though a step up to around 1m4f is exactly what he wants. Recent form suggests he's still ahead of the handicapper, particularly as he has been finishing his races strongly.
Each-way tip: Royal Poetry
Been running well in competitive handicaps without getting his head in front, and this doesn't look any stronger than races he's already contested. The trip looks ideal and he doesn't need dramatic improvement to get involved.
16:30 (Ascot) Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Mile
Main tip: Cerulean Bay
Has already shown he handles the track's stiff finish well. Has enough tactical pace to hold a good position and has consistently performed in races stronger than a typical Shergar Cup handicap.
Each-way: Storm Star
Has produced performances in competitive handicaps that suggest his current mark is exploitable if everything falls right. His consistency at this level gives confidence that he'll run his race.
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