ITV Racing Tips – Saturday 18th April 2026 | Ayr & Newbury

Henry Gibbs

Last Updated on 17/04/2026 by Andy Clark

Nine ITV races on Saturday — five from Ayr including the Scottish Grand National at 3:35pm, and four from Newbury’s Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials card. ITV coverage runs from 12:45pm.

Our tipster has previewed every race on Saturday’s ITV card, with selections at Ayr and Newbury including the Scottish Grand National. Free bets are available for new customers at the bookmakers below — use them on today’s ITV racing.

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Saturday 18th April 2026 – ITV Racing Schedule

TimeCourseRace
1:10pmAyrScotty Brand Handicap Chase (Class 1, 2m½f)
1:25pmNewburyDubai Duty Free Stakes – Fred Darling (Group 3, 7f)
1:45pmAyrCPMS Novices’ Champion Handicap Chase (Class 2, 3m)
2:00pmNewburyWatership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes (Group 3, 7f)
2:20pmAyrCoral Scottish Champion Hurdle (Grade 2, 2m)
2:35pmNewburyDubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes – John Porter (Group 3, 1m4f)
2:55pmAyrSeafield Trophy Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 2, 3m½f)
3:10pmNewburyOLBG Spring Cup Handicap (Class 2, 1m)
3:35pmAyrCoral Scottish Grand National (Class 1, 4m)

Saturday’s ITV Racing Tips – All Nine Selections

TimeCourseSelectionBet type
1:10pmAyrSANS BRUITWin
1:25pmNewburyPRINCESS PETROLEach-way
1:45pmAyrKDEUX SAINT FRAYEach-way
2:00pmNewburyALPERSIANEach-way
2:20pmAyrGIBBS ISLANDEach-way
2:35pmNewburyAL AASYWin
2:55pmAyrLOVE OF NEYMOREEach-way
3:10pmNewburySHOUTNAP
3:35pmAyrQUEBECOISEach-way

1:10 Ayr – Scotty Brand Handicap Chase (2m½f)

It is SANS BRUIT for me. He ran perfectly well last time out when a good third in the Red Rum Handicap Chase at Aintree. He’s backed up well before that race, and it has to be of real interest to see Harry Cobden get down to 10’2 for the ride. The track will suit his bold jumping, front-running style, and he looks set to make a bold bid. I’m sure he’d have been ready to go for Aintree, but it was his first run in a little while, so he’s entitled to come on for it.

1:25 Newbury – Fred Darling Stakes (Group 3, 7f)

I like PRINCESS PETROL (12/1) EW here. She ran four times at 2, so she brings a decent amount of experience into a race of this nature. A lot of her rivals come here with 1 or 2 runs, so although they’re open to arguably more improvement, the experience could be handy at this stage of the season. She won a decent novice at Ascot last season and backed that up with a second and a 4th at Group level to end her campaign. She looks solid, and coming from the Ed Walker yard, she can come forward again. The 7f trip looks her optimum at this stage, and hopefully the first-time hood can help her settle a little better, which would likely see her come home well. She’s interesting.

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1:45 Ayr – CPMS Novices’ Champion Handicap Chase (3m)

The selection is KDEUX SAINT FRAY (6/1) EW. A progressive handicapper for the Anthony Honeyball yard, he’s run well throughout the season, including when winning a competitive affair at Cheltenham last November. Draw a line for his run at the Festival when last seen, as he was left at the start and his race was over. Compensation awaits today under ideal conditions for this proven high-level handicap performer.

2:00 Newbury – Greenham Stakes (Group 3, 7f)

The one I like is ALPERSIAN (10/1) EW. One of many quality 2-year-olds last season for the Karl Burke yard, it’s interesting he comes here on seasonal reappearance, given the options he will have had at his disposal. Alpersian won his first two starts last year before finishing a close enough 6th in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes when last seen. That was a fine effort on just his third career start, and he was not beaten far by the race favourite here, Zavateri, who was 4th on the day. Alpersian is entitled to come forward again, and he’s a double-figure price at the time of writing, whilst Zavateri is a short-priced favourite.

2:20 Ayr – Scottish Champion Hurdle (Grade 2, 2m)

I thought GIBBS ISLAND (9/1) EW was really eye-catching last time out in the County Hurdle when finishing a staying on 7th, and I think he looks set to make a bold effort backing that up here in a similar affair, albeit a less competitive one. Not much managed to come from off the pace in the County, which supports the idea that the run was a really eye-catching effort. The County Hurdle always tends to work out well, and I can’t see the 2026 renewal being any different. This 5-year-old looks handicapped to go close, and being 5, there’s nothing to suggest he can’t improve further for the Lacey stable.

2:35 Newbury – John Porter Stakes (Group 3, 1m4f)

It is AL AASY (4/1) for me, who continued to defy his age last season, winning twice, and I don’t see any reason he can’t continue to perform to a decent level again, aged 9. Group 3 may be his level, but he has won eight of them throughout the years, so he’s certainly been prolific when running in them. He can be a little up and down, but on a going day, he’s the best of this lot. I’d be happy to chance that he can show us with Tom Marquand no negative in the saddle.

2:55 Ayr – Seafield Trophy Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (3m½f)

It’s LOVE OF NEYMORE (6/1) EW for me in here. She’s run some great races this season and deserves to get her head in front again. Last seen finishing 4th at Ludlow, that was solid enough. However, connections have opted for first-time cheekpieces here, and hopefully that can squeeze a little bit more out of him. It wouldn’t take much to see her bang there under these conditions and in a mare’s handicap at this level.

3:10 Newbury – Spring Cup Handicap (Class 2, 1m) — NAP

I do like SHOUT (9/1) NAP in this, who I’m convinced is better than his current mark. A quirky sort, so Oisin Murphy taking back over from Havlin is a big positive in my opinion. He has winning form on the horse, too. Shout looked in need of the run in the Lincoln Handicap last month, where he finished a never-nearer 9th. Not being far in the end despite running keen, he was staying on well to be beaten just over 3 lengths come the line. That should have him spot on, and this unexposed 4-year-old can run a career best.

3:35 Ayr – Scottish Grand National (4m) — Feature Race

I think QUEBECOIS (10/1) EW is solid in here on the back of his fine run in the competitive Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham. He was a good third that day, and he seemed to relish the step up to 3m over fences. I think this further step up to 4m can bring out further improvement. A 5lb rise was a little harsh for that Ultima run, but the form has had numerous form boosts since. Harry Cobden will sit handy, and if he jumps as well as he did at Cheltenham again, I think he’s assured to be bang there.

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