ITV horse racing tips and best bets for Sandown and Newmarket on Saturday, July 4
Sports News Blitz’s racing tipster Jeff Mexico has turned down his invitation to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s ‘royal wedding’ to focus on this Saturday’s racing.
Jeff got to know Taylor after appearing in the “Shake It Off” video as one of the ballet dancers near the back. Poor Jeff had to eventually give up the barre as it ‘fecked up my toes’.
Four races from Sandown, including the Coral Eclipse, and three from Newmarket are on offer on ITV this weekend, which is much more fun than watching two pretend they like each other. Good luck.
Jeff Mexico’s racing tips
Gammons are constantly moaning that the straight white man is the least important demographic in the UK.
Yet, at the World Cup, Lee Dixon, Danny Murphy and Alan Shearer are thrust upon us ‘the best’ co-commentators in the UK – and what an inspiring trio they are.
They have inspired me to fall asleep during the second half of every World Cup match so far.
This has made me very unpopular with the staff at the Currys in Penzance, where I have been watching the games, especially as I’m a bit of a night-time dribbler.
13:50 (Sandown) – Coral Charge Sprint (Group 3)
Main tip: Rumstar
Rumstar is far more than last year’s winner of this race. He’s a course-and-distance Group 3 winner, who made an excellent seasonal return with his second in the Palace House Stakes at Newmarket.
Each-way tip: Words Of Truth
Unexposed improver in the field. Arrives after winning a Listed race over this very course and distance. His speed figures and ratings suggest he may still have another step forward.
14:05 (Newmarket) – Betway Handicap
Main tip: Hard To Believe
Small field, so I’m putting my faith in one horse here, and Hard To Believe gets the nod.
Andrew Balding’s colt has raced only five times and has won three of them. He won over 1m4f on the July Course last time, and course experience is often underestimated at Newmarket.
14:25 (Sandown) – Coral Challenge (Handicap)
Main tip: Cerulean Bay
His Royal Hunt Cup run was much better than the finishing position suggests. He was slowly away in a huge 28-runner field before making up plenty of ground late. He remains on a workable handicap mark of 105, which doesn’t look excessive considering his French form and the promise he has shown since joining his current yard. The return to one mile around Sandown should suit, unlike Ascot’s straight mile.
Each-way tip: Classic
Course-and-distance winner. His form this season has been solid without everything dropping right, and he has already shown he can be competitive from his current mark.
14:40 (Newmarket) – Betway Lancashire Oaks (Group 2)
Main tip: Tattycoram
Arrives in the best recent form, winning a Listed race at Goodwood before confirming her well-being with another high-class effort. She stays 1m4f thoroughly, finishes her races strongly, and handles quick ground. Looks to be progressing as a four-year-old, and I don’t think we’ve seen her ceiling yet.
Each-way tip: Lava Stream
Better than her recent form figures suggest. Has been contesting very strong races, including the Middleton Stakes (Group 2) at York. She wasn’t beaten far by smart opposition and shaped as though this return to 1m4f would suit.
15:00 (Sandown) – Coral Distaff (Listed Race)
Main tip: Act Of Kindness
After winning her Newmarket maiden impressively, she finished a creditable third in the Nell Gwyn Stakes (Group 3) 2. Her pedigree and racing style suggest a mile is likely to prove ideal. She hasn’t looked short of speed over 7f but finishes her races in a way that points towards further improvement over this trip.
Each-way tip: Estissa
Progressive profile and has raced only four times, including winning her novice convincingly. Trainer James Fanshawe excels with patient fillies and rarely rushes his horses into Listed company unless he feels they’re ready. Oisin Murphy is another positive.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: F1 Betting Markets Explained: What You Are Actually Betting On
15:15 (Newmarket) – Betway Old Newton Cup
Main tip: Klassleader
Still looks ahead of the handicapper. William Haggas’ four-year-old has raced only five times and his profile screams improvement. An 8 lb rise for an authoritative handicap success at York on return looks fair rather than harsh. Has enough to overcome it and the race conditions will suit.
Each-way tip: Paddy The Squire
Very consistent and arrives after another solid effort. However, looks close to the ceiling of his current handicap mark.
15:35 (Sandown) – Coral Eclipse Stakes (Group 1)
Main tip: Constitution River
Small-ish field, so just the one tip for the feature race of the day, and I can’t get away from short-priced favourite Constitution River as his form is too strong.
Victory in the Prix du Jockey Club was exceptional. The way he overcame the draw suggested he had plenty in hand. As a three-year-old, he receives 10 lb from the older horses. At this stage of the season, that allowance has historically been a decisive factor in the Eclipse. Finally, the Aidan O’Brien factor – he has dominated this race in recent years and is chasing a fourth consecutive Eclipse victory.
READ NEXT: Is the World Cup helping to drive a new era for sports games?
