Horse Racing Tips for Saturday 19th August on ITV Racing

1:50 Newbury

The first race on ITV is the Geoffrey Freer Stakes, a Group 3 contest over an extended 1m5f.

It’s ARREST (15/8) NAP for me here. He made a really encouraging seasonal return when a decisive winner at the Chester May Meeting earlier this year. He then went to the Derby well fancied and then Royal Ascot on his next two starts and did disappoint. However, he definitely prefers a softer surface and the ground was definitely on the fast side on both of them two occasions. With rain in the air and this being a significant drop in class, he’s the one to beat getting 6lb off chief market rival Kemari.

 

2:05 Newmarket

The 2:05 race from Newmarket is a 6f handicap restricted to grey horses.

It’s SILVER SAMURAI (10/1) EW for me in this. There is plenty of pace on here which is ideal for the selection as he likes to come from off a strong pace. He ran an encouraging race last time out finishing a staying on never nearer 5th here at Newmarket behind a solid yardstick in Tiger Crusade. He’s dropped a further 3lb for that effort which is generous and he’s off a mark of 87 here which is the lowest he’s been for a while now. He’s the class edge in this race and if he can run to anywhere near to his top potential, he has to go close in this at a decent price.

 

2:25 Newbury

Next up at Newbury is a 5f handicap with 11 runners set to go to post.

It’s WHENTHEDEALINISDONE (17/2) for me here. He’s really hit and miss and has been more miss than hit recently truth be told. However, on a going day, he’d have to be bang there in a weak enough handicap like this off his current mark. William Buick is on board and he has a decent enough record on him winning twice. I’m hoping he can work his magic here. He’s a win only proposition in my opinion given his inconsistency. Another classy horse angle in a weaker race than usual.

 

2:40 Ripon

The first of two races from Ripon on their big day is the Silver Trophy Handicap over 6f.

I’ve landed on MARK’S CHOICE (8/1) EW here. The selection has a fine record here at Ripon winning on several occasions. This is likely to have been his big summer target this year and the nature of this test sets up well for him. The pace and the better horses appear to be drawn low so I imagine that’ll prove the place to be here. He likes to sit just off the pace which works well here at Ripon. With several front-runners I think that’s the spot to come from given it is difficult to come from way back here. If he’s going to return to form, today might be that day.

 

3:00 Newbury

The 3:00 race is another tricky handicap, this time over the 7f trip.

I like SPANGLED MAC (9/1) EW here for the George Boughey stable. He come alive around this time of year last season and his effort last time out at Ascot was certainly a step in the right direction. He finished mid-division there but he was second in his group and this race is not as strong as that typical Ascot handicap was in my opinion. I think they’ll come up the middle so stall 14 is no concern. Another eye-catching jockey booking in William Buick.

 

3:15 Ripon

The 3:15 is the Great St Wilfrid Handicap, an always competitive handicap over 6 furlongs.

I like CAIRN GORM (14/1) EW here. Sneaking in at the bottom of the handicap, he runs off 8’5 here with Laura Pearson taken the ride. He was a decent winner last time out winning by half a length but arguably he was value for more. He travelled well there and made smooth headway, before being switched out and winning well. I think he’s improving this season and stall 14 looks a good spot. Live In The Moment will be coming from 13 and he loves to bowl along in front. Therefore, he’ll be able to give the selection a lovely toe into this contest I feel.

 

3:35 Newbury

The feature at Newbury comes up at 3:35 and it is the Group 2 Hungerford Stakes over 7f.

It’s MARBAAN (8/1) NB for me here. One of the least exposed in the line-up, he stayed on well to finish third behind Kinross last time out at Goodwood. I think this stiffer 7f test is bound to suit better based on that. Pogo is likely to get on with it and there should be a decent pace to aim at for the selection. Jamie Spencer in the saddle is the right man for that job. Chindit was underwhelming in this last season and you’d be happy to take him on based on that and I always find he’s a first half of the season horse. Jumbly is an obvious danger but the rest aren’t up too much on what we’ve seen. Marbaan brings solid form to the table and room for further improvement being a 3 year-old.

 

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