Saturday 23 May serves up a cracking afternoon of Flat racing on ITV, with cards from Goodwood, Haydock and York in Britain plus the Group 1 Irish 2000 Guineas from the Curragh.
Below are my selections for all nine televised races, including handicap picks, listed contenders and a value play for the Irish Classic.
For more daily racing, see our ITV Racing tips hub, plus NAP of the Day, Lucky 15 tips and each-way bet of the day.
1:25 Goodwood — Wechaad (Each-Way)
We start with a very competitive 7f handicap for the three-year-olds at Goodwood.
The horse I like is Wechaad (10/1) on an each-way basis. A progressive two-year-old last season, he won his only handicap start decisively at Doncaster before running well at Group 3 level in the Horris Hill at Newbury to end his campaign. He comes from a powerful yard and I am sure more is expected this season. I think he can kick on again, starting here.
1:45 Haydock — Wemighttakedlongway
The first race from Haydock is the Listed Hedge of Oak Stakes over the extended 1m2f.
The selection here is Wemighttakedlongway (10/3). She had a brilliant three-year-old campaign last season, finishing a good second in the Irish Oaks before a great run at Longchamp on Arc weekend when finishing fourth in the Prix de l’Opera. The seasonal reappearance at Cork was disappointing, but it looked too bad to be true. If she can bounce back in first-time cheekpieces, she is the one to beat.
2:00 Goodwood — Saxon Street
The 2:00 is the Cocked Hat Stakes, a Listed race over 1m3f.
Connections will be disappointed if Saxon Street (8/11) isn’t good enough to win this. The Derby contender is two from two, including a good victory last time out at Epsom in their Derby trial. That is the best form on offer, and the fact he handled Epsom so well suggests Goodwood should hold no fears. He can remain unbeaten and win this before bigger targets await.
2:20 Haydock — Crest of Fire (Each-Way)
The Silver Bowl Handicap comes up at 2:20 — another competitive handicap, this time over the mile.
The one for me here is Crest of Fire (7/1) each-way. A consistent two-year-old who was unlucky on several occasions last season, and despite not winning, I wouldn’t consider him anything but genuine. His final start was a fine second behind an improving sort who went on to win his next two starts after that. He has returned to action, winning an easy race at Southwell by 10 lengths. Despite beating nothing, that won’t have done his confidence any harm, and off the same mark, he can run well again here.
2:40 York — Vantheman (Each-Way)
At 2:40 we head to York for a 5f handicap.
Low numbers are favoured in sprints at York, and it’s stall 1 for me here with Vantheman (9/1) each-way. Last seen winning well at Hamilton on Sunday, showing plenty of speed and staying on strongly, if he is in the same mood under a 5lb penalty on a track that will again suit that style, I see no reason why he can’t hit the frame at the very least.
2:58 Haydock — Coppull (NAP)
The Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes over 6f comes up at 2:58, and this is my NAP of the day.
I think Coppull (9/2) is overpriced to confirm the form with Division here. Last seen beating that rival at Group 3 level at Ascot, he looked to have beaten him pretty comfortably that day. He was well-backed, suggesting he was ready to go, and it also helps confirm he has trained on this season. The yard excels with sprinters of this sort, and there is no reason he can’t continue improving.
3:15 York — Miss Alpilles
The 3:15 from York is the Bronte Cup Fillies’ Stakes, a Group 3 contest over 1m6f.
I think odds-on favourite Danielle is worth taking on here on her seasonal return. The one I like is Miss Alpilles (9/2). She was an eye-catching third last time out behind Group 1-level stayer Sweet William at Ascot. She now returns against her own sex and drops in class. She has fitness on her side and could definitely give the favourite plenty to think about.
3:30 Haydock — Night Raider
It’s back to Haydock for the Group 2 Temple Stakes over 5 furlongs.
I think Night Raider (11/2) is the one to be with here. An impressive winner last time out at Newmarket on his first start since being gelded, he was fast away as usual that day, but on that occasion, he simply wasn’t for catching. This is another fast 5f track, and they may struggle to peg him back again.
3:40 Curragh — Power Blue (Each-Way)
The feature race comes from Ireland — the Group 1 Irish 2000 Guineas over the mile.
At the prices, I think Power Blue (33/1) can hit the frame each-way. He doesn’t lack for speed, as he showed last season when beating 1000 Guineas heroine True Love over 6f. His two runs this season have had enough promise to suggest he has trained on. He was a good second behind Thesecretadvisary before finishing midfield in the 2000 Guineas. He faded late on there, and there’s a good chance the trip stretched him. However, this is an easier mile and I’d expect it to be more slowly run, so I’m hopeful he can see it out and hit the frame at a decent price. The favourite will take a lot of beating on home soil.
Henry Gibbs’ Saturday 23 May Selections — At a Glance
| Time | Course | Selection | Bet Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1:25 | Goodwood | Wechaad | Each-Way |
| 1:45 | Haydock | Wemighttakedlongway | Win |
| 2:00 | Goodwood | Saxon Street | Win |
| 2:20 | Haydock | Crest of Fire | Each-Way |
| 2:40 | York | Vantheman | Each-Way |
| 2:58 | Haydock | Coppull | Win (NAP) |
| 3:15 | York | Miss Alpilles | Win |
| 3:30 | Haydock | Night Raider | Win |
| 3:40 | Curragh | Power Blue | Each-Way |
Best Bookmakers for ITV Racing on Saturday
With nine televised races across four courses, Saturday is an ideal day to make use of Best Odds Guaranteed and extra places promotions. A few of the strongest options for racing punters:
- Betfred — Bet £10 Get £50 in Free Bets, code BETFRED50, with Best Odds Guaranteed from 7am, the earliest of any UK bookmaker
- bet365 — Bet £10 Get £30 in Bet Credits, no code required
- Coral — Bet £5 Get £30 in Free Bets, no code required
For more on Best Odds Guaranteed and which bookmakers offer it, see our Best Odds Guaranteed guide. Several bookmakers also run extra places promotions on the bigger Saturday handicaps — worth checking on the morning of racing, particularly for the each-way selections above.
18+. New UK customers only. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org.
How to Watch ITV Racing on Saturday 23 May
ITV Racing broadcasts live coverage from Goodwood, Haydock, York and the Curragh on Saturday 23 May. The featured terrestrial coverage is free-to-air on ITV1 and ITV4, with the schedule built around the bigger races including the Group 2 contests at Haydock and the Group 1 Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh.
All races are also available to stream via the ITVX app, and most UK bookmaker apps stream the action for customers with a funded account or a qualifying bet.
ITV Racing Tips FAQs
What is Henry Gibbs’ NAP for Saturday 23 May?
Henry Gibbs’ NAP for Saturday 23 May is Coppull in the 2:58 Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock.
What races are on ITV Racing on Saturday 23 May?
ITV Racing on Saturday 23 May features coverage from Goodwood, Haydock and York in Britain, plus the Group 1 Irish 2000 Guineas from the Curragh in Ireland.
What time is the Irish 2000 Guineas 2026?
The Irish 2000 Guineas is run at 3:40 on Saturday 23 May 2026 at the Curragh. It is a Group 1 contest over one mile.
How many selections does Henry Gibbs have for Saturday?
Henry Gibbs has nine selections for Saturday 23 May, one for each televised race across Goodwood, Haydock, York and the Curragh.
Which Henry Gibbs selections are each-way?
Four of Henry’s nine Saturday selections are each-way bets: Wechaad (1:25 Goodwood), Crest of Fire (2:20 Haydock), Vantheman (2:40 York) and Power Blue (3:40 Curragh).
More Racing Tips from Henry Gibbs
- ITV Racing Tips Hub — daily ITV Racing selections
- NAP of the Day — Henry Gibbs’ single best bet
- Lucky 15 Tips — four-selection Lucky 15 picks
- Each-Way Bet of the Day — daily each-way selection
- Best Odds Guaranteed Guide — which bookmakers offer BOG
- Horse Racing Tips Hub — all racing content
Tips are the opinion of Henry Gibbs and provided for entertainment. Odds and prices change — always check with the bookmaker before betting. Past performance is not a guide to future results. 18+. Please gamble responsibly. BeGambleAware.org | GamCare.org.uk
Henry covers both flat and National Hunt racing at thatsagoal.com. Producing a daily NAP, each-way bet and lucky 15 tip throughout the year.