ITV Racing Tips for Ascot and Hexham on Friday 6th November

Andy Clark
ITV Racing Tips

More ITV Racing is on the way this Friday, with eight races shown live, featuring the pick of the day’s action from Aintree and Hexham.

The Aintree card includes the rearranged Haldon Gold Cup, normally run at Exeter but abandoned there this year and rerouted to the Merseyside venue. Below are our selections for every race on the ITV coverage.

ITV Racing Selections at a Glance

  • 13:15 Aintree – Off The Jury
  • 13:35 Hexham – Defence Witness
  • 13:50 Aintree – Lyssenko
  • 14:10 Hexham – Ruby Island
  • 14:25 Aintree – Royal Infantry
  • 14:45 Hexham – Bobby Socks
  • 15:00 Aintree – Rubaud
  • 15:35 Aintree – Konfusion

13:15 Aintree: Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase

OFF THE JURY returns from almost five months off the track, but Mickey Bowen’s gelding can make a winning reappearance. The Jukebox Jury gelding has won his last two starts and boasts an unblemished record over fences, most recently successful at Worcester back in June – form the runner-up, now rated 130, has done no harm to it since. He steps up to a much longer trip here, but he has proved over hurdles that he stays, and he has a fair record fresh. A 4lb rise is the only concern, yet he may have more to come over fences and can strike in the TV opener.

13:35 Hexham: Handicap Chase

DEFENCE WITNESS won at Catterick back in January and, while the Court Cave gelding subsequently struggled, he is worth chancing here. Sam England’s gelding arrives off a run over course and distance that he may well have needed behind C’Mon So, beating only one home and crossing the line some 20 lengths adrift, though a bad mistake two out did not help. His sole chase win came on more testing ground, so rain would be welcome, but this is not the strongest race, and he has a sizeable pull at the weights with his last-time conqueror, so he could turn the tables.

13:50 Aintree: Handicap Hurdle

LYSSENKO has already looked a potentially smart sort with victories in France for Gab Leenders, and the Cokoriko gelding can make a winning debut for the Skeltons. His last win came at Pau, where he ran out a wide-margin victor over Lyre D’Oudairies, who has won twice since, and he is the type his top yard excels with. An opening mark of 125 could underestimate him ahead of his seasonal debut, and while the ground here is far less testing than he faced in France, he could still prove an excellent acquisition.

14:10 Hexham: Handicap Chase

RUBY ISLAND showed three miles to be no issue last time when chasing home the smart Apple Away at Perth in Listed company back in April, and Nicky Richards’ mare is worth chancing here. A two-time winner last term, including over this trip at Haydock, the Trans Island mare rounded off her season with that Perth runner-up effort and can give another good account. Two of her last three starts have come in Listed company, and she is back handicapping off a mark that asks a little more of her – but she won a bumper here earlier in her career, and if fit to go on her return she can post a big performance.

14:25 Aintree: ‘Future Stars’ Novices’ Chase

Only three runners, but ROYAL INFANTRY can give the Skeltons back-to-back TV winners, his fitness assured after a recent victory at Hexham. The Soldier Of Fortune gelding was making just his second start over fences, and his first of the campaign, when handing a seven-length beating to Jeriko Du Reponet. There could be better to come this term, and he has some very smart hurdling form that could make him tough to beat if he translates it to the larger obstacles. The longer trip should not faze him, having placed in a Listed hurdle over it last summer, and he should go close.

14:45 Hexham: Handicap Hurdle

Both of BOBBY SOCKS’ hurdle wins have come at this trip, although the last was more than two years ago – but in a poor race, the Kayf Tara gelding could go close. Lizzie Quinlan’s gelding had shown little in two starts over the summer before finishing third over two miles here last month, seemingly improved by first-time cheekpieces. The nine-year-old is relatively low-mileage and could have a little more to offer, and lurking on a workable mark in a fairly moderate contest, he can run well.

15:00 Aintree: BetMGM Haldon Gold Cup (Grade 2)

2025 Pendil winner RUBAUD is back over fences this campaign and, while he lost his way over the larger obstacles, he could go well in the day’s feature. The Air Chief Marshal gelding won his first two starts last term over hurdles and did not disgrace himself when failing to add to that tally, though a return to chasing for the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival did not see him cut much ice. He will strip fitter for his Carlisle return over hurdles last month, and there is a feeling he has more to offer as a chaser. If he recaptures the form of his Grade Two win at Kempton a couple of seasons ago, he can post a big run off 4lb lower than his last chase outing.

15:35 Aintree: Premier Handicap Chase

KONFUSION progressed well last term and can make a winning return, having done exactly that twelve months ago. James Parkinson’s gelding struck wins at Wetherby (twice) and Newcastle last term, and ran with plenty of credit in defeat – including here back in April, when third behind Mr Hope Street off this same mark. The Schiaparelli gelding has won on his seasonal chase debut in each of the last two seasons, and another big performance would be no surprise.

Selections are our opinion and not guaranteed – odds and runners are subject to change, so always check the card before betting. 18+. Please gamble responsibly. GambleAware.org · GamCare.org.uk.

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