ITV Racing Tips for Saturday 5th September from Ascot, Haydock and Kempton

1:25 Haydock

The opener from Haydock is the Group 3 Superior Mile.

I’ve landed on COLORI FOREVER (14/1) EW in this open contest. He was an impressive winner at Ascot back in May when he displayed a decent turn of foot and won like a smart horse. He went to the Jersey Stakes back at Ascot for the Royal Meeting on his next start and ran disappointingly. However, that was an odd race, and there were plenty of disappointments in it. I’m happy to draw a line through that. He was then last seen at Newmarket coming back to form, finishing a decent second at listed level. I still think there’s more to come and he looks overpriced in a wide open renewal.

1:40 Ascot

The first of two live races from Ascot is a tricky handicap over 7 furlongs.

It is ADDISON GREY (11/2) EW for me who looks pretty solid in here. The Clive Cox-trained 4-year-old is a really consistent sort who deservedly got his head in front last time out at Newbury. However, that was his first time over 7f, and he seemed to really enjoy seeing the trip out well. Up 4lb for that win looks more than fair and I’m hopeful he can continue the improvement over this trip and go close again.

1:55 Haydock

Next up is the Ascendant Stakes, a listed contest for the two-year-olds over the mile.

I’ve landed on ROCKET BOY (13/8) NB, who was an impressive winner on racecourse debut at Yarmouth back in July. Connections were obviously impressed too, as he was pitched into listed level on his second and latest start. He ran a cracker there, finishing a very close third, doing all his best work late on. That’s a decent level of form, and he looks a real genuine sort who can continue on an upward curve and get back in the winners’ enclosure here.

2:10 Ascot

Next from Ascot is a 3-year-old heritage handicap over 1m4f.

I do think HEYZOOM (11/8) brings a strong level of form into this handicap and you’d expect him to be tough to beat. A decent winner of a maiden at Newbury back in May, he then went to Royal Ascot and ran a cracker when finishing a close 4th in the competitive King George V Stakes. That’s a race that is always worth following, and the winner has since shown us that. Heyzoom can resume winning ways in this weaker handicap.

2:20 Kempton 

We head to Kempton next for the series final of the London Mile series.

I’ll chance POPMASTER (12/1) EW at a high price in this as I’m convinced he’s got a race in him off a current mark of 96. He ran well enough last time out at Ascot when finishing mid-division in a trappy Shergar Cup handicap. He now comes to Kempton, where he’s a previous course and distance winner with the bonus of Billy Loughnane back in the saddle. That’s enough to interest me in here.

2:30 Haydock

The 2:30 from Haydock is a handicap for three-year-olds over 1m6f.

I’d be happy to give MYTHICAL BAY (4/1) another chance here. He was well-backed in the competitive Melrose Handicap last time out at York, but he just ran too keen and didn’t get home. Although this is a strong handicap, it’s not at the level the Melrose was, and if he can settle better, I don’t see the trip as an issue. He looked a promising sort before that run, and the fact he was heavily punted last time out suggests to me the Balding yard thinks there is a lot of scope for this current mark of 92. I tend to agree, and he can hopefully justify that today.

3:40 Haydock

The final race at Haydock is the feature, the Group 1 Sprint Cup Stakes over 6 furlongs. 

I like MARVELMAN (5/1) in this. Last seen chasing home Group 1 superstar Notable Speech in the Lennon Stakes over 7f at Goodwood, he had the majority of his rivals in trouble 2f out. The trip did just appear to stretch him, and this drop back to 6f looks a great move. He was just under three lengths behind Notable Speech anyway, so that’s still a fine effort. I think Haydock will suit him well, and if he can get a nice prominent position, stand-side, that’s often the place to be.