Last Updated on 01/05/2026 by Andy Clark
ITV Racing returns to TV screens around the country on Friday 1st May for day one of the Guineas Festival at Newmarket.
Flat HQ brings four races live into punters’ living rooms alongside two races from Ascot and one from Goodwood — seven televised contests in total. Below: our expert race-by-race tips for every ITV Racing fixture this Friday afternoon.
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Friday’s ITV Racing Schedule
| Time | Course | Race | Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2:20 | Newmarket | JCB Newmarket Stakes (Listed) | Cl1, 3yo, 1m2f |
| 2:35 | Ascot | Longines Sagaro Stakes (Group 3) | Cl1, 4yo+, 2m |
| 2:55 | Newmarket | Betfred “The Classic Bookmaker” Handicap | Cl3, 3yo 0-90, 1m |
| 3:10 | Ascot | Commonwealth Cup Trial Stakes (Group 3) | Cl1, 3yo, 6f |
| 3:30 | Newmarket | Betfred Jockey Club Stakes (Group 2) | Cl1, 4yo+, 1m4f |
| 3:50 | Goodwood | EBF Daisy Warwick Fillies’ Stakes (Listed) | Cl1, 4yo+, 1m4f |
| 4:05 | Newmarket | Betfred “Nifty 50” Handicap | Cl2, 4yo+ 0-105, 7f |
ITV Racing Tips Summary — Friday 1 May 2026
| Time | Race | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| 2:20 Newmarket | JCB Newmarket Stakes | Poseidon’s Warrior |
| 2:35 Ascot | Longines Sagaro Stakes | Caballo De Mer |
| 2:55 Newmarket | Betfred Handicap | Comic Hero |
| 3:10 Ascot | Commonwealth Cup Trial | Wise Approach |
| 3:30 Newmarket | Betfred Jockey Club Stakes | Sunway (EW) |
| 3:50 Goodwood | Daisy Warwick Fillies’ Stakes | Crepe Suzette |
| 4:05 Newmarket | Betfred “Nifty 50” Handicap | Elarak |
2:20 Newmarket – JCB Newmarket Stakes (Listed Race) (Colts & Geldings) Cl1 (3yo) 1m2f
Tip: Poseidon’s Warrior (4/5)
POSEIDON’S WARRIOR was arguably unlucky not to win on his reappearance here during the Craven meeting when finishing runner-up behind Morshdi, and Charlie Appleby’s charge is worth sticking with to go one better.
The Sea The Stars colt looked promising in his two starts last term, winning at the second attempt when beating Edwin Hubble impressively by five lengths. He returned to action from six months off to chase down Morshdi in the Feilden Stakes, beaten one length, but he did meet with trouble in running and conceded first run before finishing off the race well.
Expected to strip fitter, he is equipped with a hood for the first time, which could eke out some further improvement, while the longer trip for this Listed contest looks a good move given how he finished off last time. He represents last year’s winning connections, and it wouldn’t be a shock to see him regain winning ways here.
2:35 Ascot – Longines Sagaro Stakes (Group 3) (A Gold Cup Trial) Cl1 (4yo+) 2m
Tip: Caballo De Mer (9/2)
Prix Du Cadran winner CABALLO DE MER can get back to winning ways here.
George Scott’s charge readily saw off Coltrane in that French victory before disappointing at Saint Cloud; but he returned from five months off to chase home Fairy Glen in the Dubai Gold Cup, and likely to strip fitter for that return to action, he could go one better.
The Phoenix Of Spain gelding was progressive last term, winning three times on the all-weather before going close in the Chester Cup and adding to his tally with a defeat of Humble Spark at Haydock and then finding only French Master too strong in the Copper Horse at Royal Ascot.
His subsequent Longchamp victory came in a change of headgear, swapping cheekpieces for blinkers, and he was back in cheekpieces for his latest Meydan effort, and that headgear is again deployed. He has to give weight away, but he could still have a little more improvement to come and be fully effective on this ground, he is expected to give a good account.
2:55 Newmarket – Betfred “The Classic Bookmaker” Handicap Cl3 (3yo 0-90) 1m
Tip: Comic Hero (9/2)
COMIC HERO was progressive as a novice last term, and Andrew Balding’s charge wasted no time in getting off the mark for the new year when successful at Kempton in February, beating Espanita.
The Saxon Warrior gelding ran better than the bare result at Musselburgh on his next run, fading into fifth having raced keenly up with the pace for much of the race, and he found himself boxed in on the rail with little racing room once the pace lifted.
He probably did well in the circumstances to finish just two lengths’ fifth behind Strength Of Spirit and the return to a straight mile on quicker ground could see him in better light racing off the same mark. Given another chance to build on the promise shown as a novice then he can make his presence felt here.
3:10 Ascot – Commonwealth Cup Trial Stakes (Registered As The Pavilion Stakes) (Group 3) Cl1 (3yo) 6f
Tip: Wise Approach (11/8)
WISE APPROACH had both the repposing Brussels and Coppull both behind him when winning the Middle Park at Newmarket last September, and Charlie Appleby’s charge can confirm that form.
The Mehmas colt was a three-time winner last term, scoring over five furlongs here on debut and running well in defeat at York and back here for Royal Ascot when beaten into second in the Norfolk Stakes by Charles Darwin.
The Godolphin runner struck in Listed company and went close behind Venetian Sun at Deauville prior to his Newmarket victory, and while this will be a bit tougher now, having to concede weight thanks to his Group One penalty, he could nonetheless be hard to beat given he’s open to plenty of improvement this year as a sprinter.
3:30 Newmarket – Betfred Jockey Club Stakes (Group 2) Cl1 (4yo+) 1m4f
Tip: Sunway EW (17/2)
SUNWAY (EW) spent most of last season contesting Group One company with limited success, but David Menusier’s charge could spring a minor shock here.
The Galiway gelding ended a lengthy losing run when successful at Meydan back in January, beating Epic Poet, after which he was just denied by a neck behind Al Nayyir in a Group Three contest.
Forgiven his last outing in the Dubai Gold Cup, where he went off in front like a scalded cat, the writing was on the wall turning in, and he weakened quickly to finish a tailed-off last. That certainly wasn’t his best effort, but he is still capable of very smart form, and a return to this shorter trip could suit.
He is versatile regarding distance, having won over one mile and raced at distances up to two miles and beyond; while he is effective on quicker ground, although some cut would definitely have been preferable. On the balance of his form, he does have a question to answer, but if he consents to deliver the sort of form he is capable of then this Group One winner can go close.
3:50 Goodwood – British Stallion Studs EBF Daisy Warwick Fillies’ Stakes (Listed Race) (GBBPlus Race) Cl1 (4yo+) 1m4f
Tip: Crepe Suzette (11/10)
CREPE SUZETTE brings the strongest form to the table for this contest, and John and Thady Gosden’s charge can make a winning reappearance.
The Saxon Warrior filly won at the first time of asking twelve months ago, scoring at Wolverhampton before reeling off a trio of silver medal finishes in handicaps and Listed company, the latter coming at York when denied a head by Charlotte’s Web in the Galtres Stakes.
She rounded off her season with an excellent third to Santorini Star in the Park Hill at Doncaster; the winner and runner-up have since reversed places in the Group One Prix de Royallieu, while the fourth has won a Listed race, so the form stacks up well.
Given she won at the first time of asking last term, she could be worth chancing to repeat the dose again on her seasonal reappearance, while her form from last campaign ought to make her tough to beat if she can run to that level again here.
4:05 Newmarket – Betfred “Nifty 50” Handicap Cl2 (4yo+ 0-105) 7f
Tip: Elarak (10/3)
ELARAK shaped quite well on his reappearance at Thirsk last month, and Charlie Hills’ charge can get off the mark for the campaign.
The Kingman gelding won three times from five starts last term, twice here, including on his final start of the season when beating Zoulu Chief in a valuable contest in September.
Back from six months off the track at Thirsk over seven furlongs last month, he probably needed that reappearance, although he did run pretty well, holding every chance and just fading out of the places late on. He’ll come on for that, and this extra furlong is no issue, given he won over C&D last June.
Expected to build on his reappearance, he ought to give a good account of himself and no surprise to see him get back on the scoresheet in a competitive TV closer.
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Brian joined the team a couple of years ago but he has a long background in writing horse racing content and betting tips. Having worked for a number of publications in the past, such as RacingTips, Brian made the move to thatsagoal and is the main content writer across flat and National Hunt racing.