Last Updated on 03/04/2026 by Andy Clark
ITV Racing has a cracking Saturday card for Easter weekend with action split across two tracks – Musselburgh on the Flat and Haydock over the jumps. Eight races in total, covering sprint handicaps, listed Flat races and competitive staying hurdles.
Our tipster has gone through every race on today’s ITV card with a selection and analysis for each. Best Odds Guaranteed is available at all the major bookmakers on today’s racing – take a price now and if the SP is bigger at race time, you get paid at the bigger odds. See our Best Odds Guaranteed guide for the full list of BOG bookmakers.
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ITV Racing Schedule – Saturday 4th April 2026
| Time | Track | Race |
|---|---|---|
| 1:25 | Musselburgh | Royal Mile Handicap |
| 1:55 | Musselburgh | Silver Arrow Handicap 7f |
| 2:12 | Haydock | Two Mile Hurdle Series Finale |
| 2:30 | Musselburgh | Goliath Cup Stakes (Listed) 1m6f |
| 2:46 | Haydock | Staying Handicap Hurdle Series Finale 3m |
| 3:05 | Musselburgh | Queens Cup Handicap 1m6f |
| 3:20 | Haydock | Veteran Series Finale 2m4f |
| 3:42 | Musselburgh | Scottish Sprint Cup Handicap 5f |
Today’s ITV Racing Tips
1:25 Musselburgh – STRENGTH OF SPIRIT
The opener on ITV from Scotland is the Royal Mile Handicap.
I like STRENGTH OF SPIRIT (5/1) here. A progressive two-year-old last season, he finished with a decent victory at Newbury over 7f. I think that was a decent performance and this step up to an easy mile will suit. Stall 2 is ideal on this tight track, and I’m expecting a bold bid.
1:55 Musselburgh – GOLDEN MIND (EW)
Next is the Silver Arrow handicap over 7f, which comes up at 1:55.
I think GOLDEN MIND (14/1) EW can run a big race here. An up and down sort but on a going day, he’s more than capable off a mark of 102. He was a good winner on his final start last season in a competitive affair at Doncaster over a stiff 6f. This 7f trip is fine. His first run of the season at Kempton would have been to blow the cobwebs away, and he’s won before on his second start of the season.
2:12 Haydock – DANCE AND GLANCE (NB)
The 2:12 from Haydock is our first action over the jumps, and it is the two-mile hurdle series finale. 11 runners are set to go to post for this competitive handicap.
The one for me is DANCE AND GLANCE (4/1) NB. He’s run in plenty of competitive handicap hurdles this season and has hardly been out of the frame. He was a decent winner at Ascot in December before a fine second followed at Sandown. He was last seen finishing 5th in the William Hill Hurdle at Newbury, but he didn’t seem to enjoy the heavy ground there, so that was a fine effort under the circumstances. Freshened up since and back on a decent surface, he can return to winning ways.
2:30 Musselburgh – AL QAREEM
The 2:30 contest is the listed level Goliath Cup Stakes over 1m6f.
I think AL QAREEM (4/5) will take a fair bit of beating here. He has the best form in the book, and if he’s anyone near his best, he’ll be winning this. This front-runner should be well suited by Musselburgh, and I think he can land this listed race before stepping back up in Grade.
2:46 Haydock – WALDEN
We have the turn of the staying handicap hurdlers at 2:46 as the series finale takes place over an extended 3 miles.
I was impressed by WALDEN’s (6/1) victory last time out at Ascot in February. That was a competitive handicap, and he won it by over 6 lengths. He’s only six, and he appears to still be on a serious upward trajectory. An 8lb looks fair based on the balance of the victory and the competition. Therefore, I think he can go close again if in similar form.
3:05 Musselburgh – GAMBINO (NAP)
Next up at 3:05 is the Queens Cup Handicap over 1m6f.
I think GAMBINO (9/2) NAP is interesting here. He’s very unexposed and looks set to be better than a mark of 83 soon enough. He finished a good third in the competitive Southwell contest that Constitution Hill won. Since then, he was a good third in a Newbury maiden hurdle, travelling strongly but just couldn’t quite go through with his effort. I think he’ll benefit from the addition of a tongue-tie, which connections opt for here. The booking of Rossa Ryan is an obvious plus, too.
3:20 Haydock – DREAL DEAL (EW)
The 3:20 from Haydock is the series finale of the middle-distance Veteran Series. It is a competitive affair run over 2m4f.
I’ll be happy to take a flyer on DREAL DEAL (28/1) EW in this. I get the impression this may have been a target, and his last two runs in competitive handicaps at Leopardstown were a big ask now aged 11, so I wouldn’t judge him on them too harshly. Back in veterans company on ground he’s always shown his best form at, today might just be the day. He has a strong back form and was winning last summer, so I don’t think he’s gone just yet. I’ll chance him.
3:42 Musselburgh – DEMOCRACY DILEMMA
The final race from Musselburgh is the Scottish Sprint Cup, a handicap over the 5f trip.
It is DEMOCRACY DILEMMA (13/2) for me. He’s one of the fastest horses out there, and I’m sure if there was a 4f race, he’d feature near the top of the market every time. Therefore, this tight 5f track on fast ground is absolutely ideal for him. His seasonal reappearance was full of promise, where he finished a good third in a decent race at Lingfield. That should have him spot on for this.
Today’s ITV Racing Tips Summary
| Time | Track | Selection |
|---|---|---|
| 1:25 | Musselburgh | Strength of Spirit |
| 1:55 | Musselburgh | Golden Mind (EW) |
| 2:12 | Haydock | Dance and Glance (NB) |
| 2:30 | Musselburgh | Al Qareem |
| 2:46 | Haydock | Walden |
| 3:05 | Musselburgh | Gambino (NAP) |
| 3:20 | Haydock | Dreal Deal (EW) |
| 3:42 | Musselburgh | Democracy Dilemma |
NAP: Gambino (3:05 Musselburgh) NB: Dance and Glance (2:12 Haydock)
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