ITV Racing covers a cracking Saturday card split between York’s Ebor Festival finale and Chester, and our NAP is Zavateri to win the Group 1 City of York Stakes — with Klassleader our next best in the Ebor itself. There’s a selection for every televised race across the two meetings. Below are our tips in full.
ITV Racing Saturday Tips: Our Selections
| Time | Course | Race | Our Selection |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13:50 | York | Strensall Stakes (Group 3) | Hankelow |
| 14:05 | Chester | 7f Handicap | Asuka |
| 14:25 | York | Melrose Handicap | Infraad |
| 14:40 | Chester | Chester Stakes (Listed) | Lazy Griff |
| 15:00 | York | City of York Stakes (Group 1) | Zavateri (NAP) |
| 15:35 | York | Ebor Handicap | Klassleader (NB) |
| 16:10 | York | Constantine Handicap | Air Force One |
Our NAP is Zavateri in the 15:00; our next best (NB) is Klassleader in the Ebor. Tips are the opinion of the author and not guaranteed. 18+. GambleAware.org.
13:50 York – Strensall Stakes (Group 3): Hankelow
We start at York with Hankelow for the Karl Burke yard over 1m1f. A useful two-year-old last season, winning two of his three starts, he returned this year with a good third in the French 2000 Guineas. He was then stretched by the step up to 1m2f for the French Derby, but freshened up since and back to an ideal 1m1f, this previous York winner can make a bold bid.
14:05 Chester – 7f Handicap: Asuka
The first of two live races from the Roodee, and Asuka looks better than a handicapper who can defy a mark of 92 for the George Boughey yard. A winner of three of his four starts, including his last two, he’s the one to beat. Stall 12 makes it tricky, but softer ground eases the usual Chester draw bias, and Billy Loughnane — who defied a tough draw to win on Libertango at York earlier in the week — takes the ride.
14:25 York – Melrose Handicap: Infraad
The always-competitive Melrose Handicap for the three-year-olds looks ideal for Infraad, who should be well suited by the track and trip. The long home straight will help a horse who takes a while to hit top gear. He bolted up on his return at Pontefract, then looked raw when a never-nearer third at Chester, before showing that experience had helped with a good win at Glorious Goodwood last time. That should have him spot on for this.
14:40 Chester – Chester Stakes (Listed): Lazy Griff
Lazy Griff could be tough to peg back from the front in this Listed 1m6f contest. A decent winner at Sandown two starts back, he ran no race at Goodwood behind Scandinavian, but the ground looked too quick that day and he deserves another chance. Stall 3 should let him get to the front, where he’s at his best, and in a weaker race, on a going day, he’s the most likely winner.
15:00 York – City of York Stakes (Group 1): Zavateri (NAP)
Group 1 action, and Zavateri is our NAP in the only UK Group 1 over 7f — arriving much fresher than most. One of last season’s leading two-year-olds, he returned with an encouraging runner-up in the Greenham that looked set to line him up for the 2000 Guineas before a setback ruled him out. He showed plenty when chasing home Bow Echo in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood, beaten not far, and that run should bring him on. Seven furlongs is ideal, the soft ground is no issue, and he looks sure to go close.
15:35 York – Ebor Handicap: Klassleader (NB)
The big handicap of the week, the Ebor over 1m6f, and Klassleader is our next best. It was hard not to be taken by his impressive win here two starts back, coming from last to first with a real turn of foot. His Haydock effort last time can be forgiven — the ground looked too quick and the race didn’t suit his closing style. Back at York with dig in the ground, a career-best looks on the cards, and off a mark of 98 he should be bang there in an open handicap.
16:10 York – Constantine Handicap: Air Force One
The final ITV race, over 6f, and Air Force One can complete a big-race double after taking the opening race of the festival earlier in the week. Proven over 6f, he again has a decent draw in stall 3 and will get a good pace to aim at — and a 5lb penalty might not be enough to stop him going in again.
Our Saturday NAP: Zavateri
Our strongest bet of the day is Zavateri in the City of York Stakes (15:00) — a lightly-raced, high-class miler dropping to a perfect 7f trip, fresh and with soft ground in his favour. Our next best is Klassleader in the Ebor (15:35). As always, these are tips based on form and profile, not guarantees.
Where to Bet on ITV Racing
Most of the day’s races are covered by Best Odds Guaranteed, so you’ll be paid at the SP if your selection drifts. See our guide to Best Odds Guaranteed and our full ITV Racing tips for more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NAP for ITV Racing on Saturday? Our NAP is Zavateri in the 15:00 City of York Stakes at York — the strongest bet on Saturday’s card, with Klassleader in the Ebor our next best.
What are the ITV Racing tips for Saturday? Our selections are Hankelow (1:50 York), Asuka (2:05 Chester), Infraad (2:25 York), Lazy Griff (2:40 Chester), Zavateri (3:00 York NAP), Klassleader (3:35 York NB) and Air Force One (4:10 York).
What time is the City of York Stakes? The Group 1 City of York Stakes is off at 3:00pm at York on Saturday, live on ITV — the only UK Group 1 run over seven furlongs.
What time is the Ebor? The Ebor Handicap, the big 1m6f handicap of the meeting, is off at 3:35pm at York on Saturday.
Which courses are on ITV Racing on Saturday? ITV shows racing from York’s Ebor Festival finale and from Chester, with seven races televised across the two meetings.
More racing tips: York Ebor Festival Day 1 tips · Day 2 tips · Day 3 tips · Best Odds Guaranteed
Tips are the opinion of the author and are not guaranteed. Odds and selections were correct at the time of writing and are subject to change. 18+. Please gamble responsibly. Never bet more than you can afford to lose. GambleAware.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.
