ITV horse racing tips and best bets for Newbury, Market Rasen and Ripon on Saturday, July 18

Sports News Blitz racing tipster Jeff Mexico has graciously stepped aside to let Andy Burnham become the next Prime Minister.

However, he is still planning on standing at the Clacton by-election in August if he can scoop up enough winnings from the next few weeks of his ITV betting tips.

His quest begins at Newbury, Market Rasen, and Ripon this Saturday afternoon.

Jeff Mexico’s racing tips

England’s inevitable exit from the 2026 World Cup was rubber-stamped this week, and all the bandwagon jumpers will have thankfully crawled back into their holes until the next Euros in 2028.

Much like the UK Citizenship exam, there should be an ‘allowed to watch or talk about football’ exam too.

Why should all the hard, season-long work of real football fans, schlepping their way to Port Vale on a Tuesday night to watch a Carabao Cup clash, be usurped by the weak-minded bi-annual opinions of plastic England fans.

At the next Euros, if so-called ‘fans’ can’t name the career path of at least half the England squad, plus 20 players in the club side they allegedly support, they should be forced to watch a repeat of England’s awful performances at the 1988 and 1992 Euros, where they didn’t win a game in six attempts.

That should help sort the wheat from the chaff.

READ MORE: World Cup 2026 betting tips: Spain to win World Cup final, Mbappe to score first vs England

13:55 (Newbury) – BetVictor Steventon Stakes (Listed)

Win tip: Persica

Small field, so just one tip here and I can’t see a way past Persica.

Has been competing consistently in stronger company than several of his rivals. His latest second suggested he’s knocking on the door again, and he’s proven at 10 furlongs and on quick ground.

14:10 (Market Rasen) – Betway Handicap Hurdle

Win tip: Squeezebox

Lightly raced over hurdles, so there’s scope for further improvement. His mark doesn’t look overly punitive compared with the level of form he’s already achieved.

Each-way tip: Indemnity

Proven at the track, possesses the strongest class credentials in the field, and race conditions should allow him to bounce back from a below-par run. Top weight but possesses plenty of class.

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14:25 (Newbury) – Pertemps Handicap

Win tip: Bahadur

Another bijou field and only Bahadur catches the eye here.

Has looked as though this step-up to around two miles is what he’s been waiting for. His finishing efforts over shorter trips suggest stamina is one of his biggest assets. Handicapper hasn’t fully caught him and there’s still room to improve.

14:45 (Market Rasen) – Betway Summer Plate

Win tip: Kingston Narcissus

Since joining Dan Skelton, he has looked like a horse capable of climbing the handicap ladder and his jumping has become more fluent with experience. Good ground is a major positive and the trip of 2m5f looks his optimum.

Each-way tip: King Roly

Was an excellent second over this course and distance on his latest start. Proven on good ground and only 2lb higher than for that latest effort.

15:00 (Newbury) – Newbury Racecourse Hackwood Stakes (Group 3)

Win tip: Symbol Of Honour

Connections are obviously giving Newbury a wide berth this week, with another small field for the feature race.

Already has course-and-distance form. His recent third suggested he was returning to form. Dropping into this Group 3 looks ideal after competing in stronger races where he wasn’t disgraced. Appleby/Buick combo is another plus.

15:15 (Ripon) – Ripon Bell-Ringer Handicap

Win tip: Elsass

Consistent and reliable. Rarely runs a bad race and should again be competitive if the pace is even.

Each-way tip: Per Contra

Still looks capable of improving from his current handicap mark, unlike several exposed older rivals. Recent runs suggest this stiff 1m4f around Ripon is ideal, and he’s finished his races strongly. Good to firm should suit.

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15:35 (Newbury) – Weatherbys Super Sprint

Win tip: Etienne

Finished a close second at Newmarket, showing plenty of natural pace before keeping on strongly. Drop to five furlongs is a positive. The Super Sprint is often won by lightly raced horses making a big leap forward on their second or third start – Etienne fits that pattern.

Each-way tip: Zigazig Ah

This is such a cavalry charge that any number of horses could get in the mix, but as a Spice Girls fan the eye was drawn to this. From the Richard Spencer yard and one of the more interesting outsiders. If Spencer’s runners run to their homework, they could both be involved. And yes, it was Geri.

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