ITV Racing heads to Ascot, Newmarket and Redcar on Saturday for a strong autumn Flat card headed by the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes and a clutch of Listed and Group 3 contests at Ascot.
Our NAP of the day is So Regal in the October Stakes at Ascot, our next best is Blue Bolt in the Sun Chariot, and below we run through a best bet for every televised race.
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Saturday ITV Racing tips at a glance
| Time | Course | Selection | Bet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13:00 | Newmarket | Night Of Vegas | Win |
| 13:15 | Ascot | So Regal (NAP) | Win |
| 13:35 | Newmarket | Blue Bolt (NB) | Win |
| 13:50 | Ascot | Lifespan | Each-way |
| 14:10 | Newmarket | Blue Hercules | Each-way |
| 14:25 | Ascot | Royal Power | Win |
| 15:00 | Ascot | Into The Sky | Each-way |
| 15:20 | Redcar | Revels | Win |
| 15:35 | Ascot | Moonfall | Win |
Selections are our opinion. Odds move constantly — always check the current price before betting.
What is the NAP for Saturday’s ITV Racing?
Our NAP is So Regal in the 13:15 October Stakes at Ascot, a Listed contest over seven furlongs. He has the best form in the book and is the least exposed in the line-up — eye-catching when finishing a good fourth at Group 3 level at Sandown last time, on his first run after four months off. He’s entitled to come on for that, the drop back in trip looks set to suit, and this is a drop in class. Everything points to him being too good for these.
Our next best (NB) is Blue Bolt in the 13:35 Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket — a filly who has been a standout all season and, in a weak renewal, should take plenty of beating near her best.
13:00 Newmarket — October Auction Stakes: Night Of Vegas (win)
The card opens at Newmarket with the October Auction Stakes for the juveniles, and Night Of Vegas is the one we want to be with. She has plenty of experience and is thriving right now, bringing the strongest level of form to the table — including a respectable fifth in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. She’s won two similar races on her last two starts, and on those efforts it’s hard to make a case against her here.
13:15 Ascot — October Stakes (Listed): So Regal (NAP)
Our NAP. It’s hard to oppose So Regal in this. He has the best form in the book and is the least exposed runner in the line-up, having caught the eye when fourth at Group 3 level at Sandown on his return from four months off. He’s entitled to improve for that run, the drop back to seven furlongs should suit on the evidence, and this is easier company. The bet of the day for us.
13:35 Newmarket — Sun Chariot Stakes (Group 1): Blue Bolt (NB)
This is our next best of the day. It’s hard to get away from Blue Bolt, who has been a superstar this season. She is getting better with every run, and her Group 1 Matron Stakes victory last time out was arguably her best performance yet. This looks a weak renewal of the Sun Chariot, and if she’s anywhere near her best she’ll win.
13:50 Ascot — Rous Stakes (Listed, 5f): Lifespan (each-way)
We’ll take a chance on Lifespan each-way over the minimum trip. The three-year-old made an exciting start to his career last season, following a maiden win with an impressive Group 2 Gimcrack at York. He had a setback but showed enough at Chester on his reappearance to suggest plenty of that ability remains. You can draw a line through his latest York run — six furlongs didn’t suit and the level was a stretch — and with first-time blinkers back over five, he’s interesting at what should be a decent price. Each-way is the sensible way in.
14:10 Newmarket — 1m4f Handicap: Blue Hercules (each-way)
Blue Hercules looks to have scope off his current mark of 84, and he’s our each-way angle in a trappy handicap. He sneaks in here off a feather weight and holds a lively chance on his earlier-season handicap form. He’s a free-going sort, and with plenty of pace likely up front, we’re hopeful he can settle just behind the leaders. If he does, he can hit the frame at the very least at a rewarding price — hence the each-way play.
14:25 Ascot — Cumberland Lodge Stakes (Group 3, 1m4f): Royal Power (win)
It’s Royal Power for us here. Despite being a five-year-old now, he hasn’t had too much racing, and connections keep him fresh — which is usually when he’s seen to best effect, so the 190-day break is fine. He was last seen chasing home Calandagan in the Group 1 Sheema Classic, beaten only six lengths into fourth, which is a fine effort. Anywhere near that form puts him bang there in this Group 3.
15:00 Ascot — Benbough Stakes (Group 3, 6f): Into The Sky (each-way)
Into The Sky is the one we like in the Benbough, each-way at a big price. The three-year-old looked to have kicked on from his juvenile campaign when a good fourth in the 2000 Guineas over a trip that stretched him, and that form has been boosted all season — Bow Echo has since landed two further Group 1s. Things didn’t go to plan at Royal Ascot, but there was enough in his latest run in France to suggest he’s still more than capable at this level. He’s a huge price on ability and we’re happy to take the chance each-way.
15:20 Redcar — Two Year Old Trophy: Revels (win)
Redcar’s feature, the Two Year Old Trophy, sees Revels as our selection. He brings the best level of form to the race with a fine fourth in the Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes, beaten just over a length. He now drops to Listed level, and if he can repeat that effort the others will do well to improve past him.
15:35 Ascot — Challenge Cup (Handicap, 7f): Moonfall (win)
Moonfall rounds off the card and is our selection in a typically competitive Ascot straight-mile handicap — here over seven furlongs. His career best came at this track when winning the Britannia Stakes impressively at Royal Ascot. He has run well in three starts since and was unlucky last time, finishing a close second behind Scoville at Doncaster. Back at Ascot over a stiff seven furlongs, compensation could await.
Where to bet on Saturday’s ITV Racing
Prices differ across the market and move all day, so it pays to have accounts with a couple of trusted UK books and take the best number when you spot it. Our best betting sites for horse racing guide runs through the strongest options for each-way terms, extra places and Best Odds Guaranteed.
bet365 — Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets (new customers, no promo code needed). Open account » 18+. Min deposit and further terms apply. GambleAware.org.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NAP for Saturday’s ITV Racing? Our NAP is So Regal in the 13:15 October Stakes at Ascot — the best-formed and least-exposed runner in a Listed seven-furlong contest.
What is the next best (NB)? Blue Bolt in the 13:35 Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket, a filly in the form of her life taking on a weak renewal.
What races are on ITV Racing on Saturday? ITV shows cards from Ascot, Newmarket and Redcar, headlined by the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket plus the Cumberland Lodge and Benbough (both Group 3) and the Challenge Cup handicap at Ascot.
What time is the Sun Chariot Stakes? The Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes is off at 13:35 at Newmarket.
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Tips are our opinion and not guaranteed. Odds referenced were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change. 18+. Please gamble responsibly. GambleAware.org · GamCare.org.uk.
Andy Clark is a British betting analyst and the founder and editor of Thatsagoal, a UK sports betting comparison site operated by Thatsagoal Media Limited. He has over 20 years of betting experience across football and horse racing, and personally tests every bookmaker account reviewed on the site.
