Introduction to ITV Racing
ITV Racing is back on Saturday, featuring races from Ascot, Newmarket, and Haydock. The event starts with a 5f handicap, where the best recent form is brought in by Toca Madera.
Matt Chapman’s Selections
Matt Chapman has made his selections for the day, picking his horses before knowing the jockeys to avoid getting bogged down in whether the riders will be a help or a hindrance.
13:35 Ascot – Toca Madera
Toca Madera brings in the best recent form in a fourth at this track behind Cover Up on July 26. The ground went against him when he was meant to run at Goodwood, and for a decent fourth, he’s been dropped 2lb. Brian Meehan trains Toca Madera.
14:10 Ascot – Dancing In Paris
Dancing In Paris is at the height of his handicap mark, but he’s a grand type for these races. Ian Williams trains the five-year-old, who is up to 94 after a decent second at Goodwood for Sam Hawkens.
14:25 Haydock – Protest
Protest might be an each-way price, and Matt Chapman will take her for Roger Varian and Silvestre de Sousa. This is a very odd race with horses with massively different current ratings, but Protest stays well and comes in off a decent success last time.
14:45 Ascot – Dream Harder
Dream Harder was second in this race last year and has every chance again off a mark of 87. A decent second at Epsom three runs ago, Dream Harder has been disappointing recently, but Matt Chapman suspects he will be bang in the mix here for Ian Williams.
15:00 Haydock – Okeechobee
Arguably the classiest race of the day is the Group 3 Rose of Lancaster for fillies and mares over an extended 1m2f. Okeechobee is over-priced after a flop behind the re-opposing Royal Dubai last time and has Kieran Shoemark on top.
15:20 Ascot – Zayer
Zayer is running well for Archie Watson and has an each-way chance in a tricky heat. His third to Prince of India at Newmarket last time was a fair performance, and he has run well off 96 the last two times now.
15:40 Newmarket – Dance To The Music
Youngsters with a future are featured in the Group 3 Sweet Solera over 7f. Dance To The Music won’t be much of a price for Charlie Appleby and Billy Loughnane, but she gives the young rider another chance to shine for Godolphin in a growing relationship.
15:55 Ascot – Tenability
Tenability will be seen as a good thing by many after his excellent win off 81 at this track last time, when defeating Criminal by over two lengths. He was well backed that day, and off 7lb higher, can follow up with a true test of stamina, likely to suit him even more.
16:30 Ascot – Ebts Guard
Ebts Guard is up 2lb for a second at Glorious Goodwood, and while a mark of 98 is high enough, he’s a rock-solid one-mile handicapper who can go on any ground. William Muir and Chris Grassick train the four-year-old, who was in decent shape at the Royal Meeting when seventh to My Club in the Hunt Cup.
Conclusion
Matt Chapman has made his selections for the ITV Racing event on Saturday, featuring races from Ascot, Newmarket, and Haydock. His picks include Toca Madera, Dancing In Paris, Protest, Dream Harder, Okeechobee, Zayer, Dance To The Music, Tenability, and Ebts Guard. With a mix of experienced horses and young talent, the event promises to be exciting, and Matt Chapman’s tips provide a good starting point for betting.
