ITV horse racing tips and best bets for Haydock, Goodwood, York and the Curragh on Saturday, May 23
Sports News Blitz horse racing expert Jeff Mexico has returned from a week away helping paint the bottom of a big pool in Washington DC.
Unfortunately, Jeff is a little colour blind, so he muddled up the Mexican green and American blue flag paint.
Ah well, it’s unlikely anyone will notice.
Let’s get back to a busy day of racing on ITV this Saturday afternoon. It includes nine races from Haydock, Goodwood, and York as well as the Irish 2000 Guineas over the Irish Sea at the Curragh.
Jeff Mexico’s racing tips
This week Arsenal pulled off an amazing feat of not conceding a penalty or collecting a red card on their way to the Premier League title.
If Arsenal were a horse, they would be allowed to barge and bash their way to the front of the race. The jockey could use their whip as many times as possible … on rival jockeys. And finally, to finish off, the horse could take a massive shit in the stewards’ room to show their true disdain for authority.
That shit would then be paraded through the streets of north London on a massive open-top bus and everyone would cheer and applaud. It might even get knighted if they go on to do some charity work.
Thank gawd the season is over, and everyone can ignore football for a few months and enjoy the Derby, Royal Ascot, and Glorious Goodwood instead.
Oh bugger, there’s a World Cup.
13:25 (Goodwood) – Harroways Handicap
Main tip: Hilitany
Strong handicap credentials for a race of this depth. He is not fully exposed at the trip, while some rivals already look near their ceiling from their juvenile ratings. Good price and looks the most solid blend of class and tactical speed.
Each-way tip: Aqua Bear
A really interesting outsider at the bottom of the weights. At bigger odds, he makes more appeal to me than some of the fashionable contenders because his handicap mark may underestimate him by several pounds.
13:45 (Haydock) – William Hill Epic Boost British EBF Hedge Of Oak Stakes
Main tip: Friendly Soul
She is the class horse and her win in the Prix de l'Opera was achieved at genuine Group 1 level. Returns after a long break but the Gosden yard is extremely effective at bringing fillies back ready, especially in Listed company. Oisin Murphy is a great booking too.
Each-way tip: Dreamasar
Profile is extremely lightly raced. The Salisbury reappearance win over 1m2f was much better than the bare form. She travelled strongly, lengthened decisively, and looked like a mare with plenty still in reserve. May still be improving by several pounds and she makes much more big each-way appeal than exposed older mares.
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14:00 (Goodwood) – British Stallion Studs EBF Cocked Hat Stakes
Main tip: Golden Story
Small field so just one tip and Golden Story looks the most interesting horse from a progression perspective. Debut win suggested serious latent stamina and professionalism. On his seasonal return, he finished third in stronger company than this bare Listed grade suggests. Still has untapped upside over staying trips. Several rivals already have exposed ratings profiles, whereas Golden Story could improve and grind out a win.
14:20 (Haydock) – William Hill Silver Bowl Handicap
Main tip: Laureate Crown
Looks the horse with the best combination of current form, tactical pace, and handicap upside. His last two wins suggest a colt improving rapidly now stepped into handicaps. The latest success came in convincing fashion over a mile where he travelled like a horse ahead of his mark. From stall five, he should get a cleaner tactical run than several fancied horses drawn wider.
Each-way tip: Blue Courvoisier
Lightly raced, progressive, and bred to improve significantly with racing. The softer conditions are a major plus and his mark still looks workable.
14:40 (York) – William Hill Extra Place Races Daily Handicap
Main tip: King Of Light
Comeback second at Goodwood was a very strong piece of sprint handicap form. He travelled notably well and only got outgunned late by a race-fit rival. York’s flat 5f should suit his running style and stall seven looks workable given the likely spread of pace across the track. Importantly, he handles ease in the ground.
Each-way tip: Lethal Nymph
Very well treated on old form and shaped encouragingly when fourth at Chester last time in a race that did not unfold ideally for closers. He has York form and plenty of experience in big-field sprint scenarios.
14:58 (Haydock) – William Hill Sandy Lane Stakes
Main tip: Division
Juvenile form was already very smart, and his comeback third this spring looked better than the bare result suggests. Already has winning course-and-distance form at Haydock and should relish a truly-run 6f in testing conditions.
Each-way tip: Venetian Sun
Two-year-old profile was excellent, with three straight wins before tackling top-level company. Reappearance run can be forgiven because she raced keenly and never fully settled in a stronger-than-average contest.
15:15 (York) – William Hill Bronte Cup Fillies’ Stakes
Main tip: Danielle
Smaller Bronte Cup field so one main tip here, and Danielle has the strongest genuine Group-class staying profile in the race. Her Listed win at Newmarket last autumn was achieved in the style of a mare ready to thrive over marathon middle distances.
15:30 (Haydock) – William Hill Temple Stakes
Main tip: American Affair
Progression last season was exceptional, culminating in major sprint handicap and performances that suggest he still hasn’t reached his ceiling. Proven on soft ground and over a stiff 5f, and the likely strong tempo should play directly to his strengths because he finishes his races powerfully rather than relying on one sharp burst.
Each-way tip: Getreadytorumble
Still lightly raced compared to several exposed older sprinters and could have significant improvement left as a 4yo. May not look obvious on ratings, but visually he shapes like a horse capable of improving beyond those numbers under the right circumstances.
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15:40 (Curragh) – Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas
Main tip: Alparslan
Greenham Stakes win was much stronger than the bare margin suggests. He made all and still found plenty under pressure against quality opposition. Already has winning form at the Curragh from the valuable Tattersalls sales race as a juvenile. His Dewhurst sixth is better than it reads because he was taken out of his comfort zone in a very strong renewal and still wasn’t disgraced.
No each-way tip as I’ve an ice pop in the freezer that needs eating.
16:05 (Haydock) – William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap
Main tip: Pole Star
Recent form figures suggest a horse returning to peak condition after a winter break, and his latest effort hinted that a big staying handicap is within reach. Likely soft ground is a major positive and several rivals are older exposed stayers carrying hefty weights.
Each-way tip: Hermetic
His reappearance fourth looked much better than the finishing position because he travelled well for a long way before fitness just told late on. Return to softer conditions should suit. He has the action of a horse who wants cut in the ground and can keep grinding when others flatten out.
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