ITV Racing Tips: Curragh, Market Rasen, Newbury
(Flat unless stated)
Curragh 1.30-5.25 (Racing TV)
Market Rasen (jumps) 1.35-5.00 (Racing TV)
Cartmel (jumps) 1.40-5.10 (Racing TV)
Newbury 1.50-5.20 (Sky Sports Racing)
Ripon 2.10-5.38 (Sky Sports Racing)
Newmarket 4.20-7.38 (Racing TV)
Doncaster 5.15-8.45 (Sky Sports Racing)
Haydock 6.25-9.00 (Racing TV)
Free-to-view racing coverage
ITV4 – 9am-10am: The Opening Show
ITV1 – 1.30pm-4pm: Live racing from the Curragh, Market Rasen and Newbury
Ron Wood's selections
Nap:
Ballysax Hank (3.12, Market Rasen) 1pt win @ 9/2 with Betfred ⭐⭐⭐
Next best:
Kind Of Blue (2.57, Newbury) 1pt win @ 15/2 with Betfred ⭐⭐⭐
Others:
Ancient Wisdom (1.50, Newbury) 1pt win @ 9/2 with Betfred ⭐⭐
Mostly Sunny (2.05, Market Rasen) 1pt win @ 9/2 with Betfred ⭐⭐
Contacto (2.25, Newbury) 1pt win @ 11/2 with Betfred ⭐⭐
Cavern Club (2.40, Market Rasen) 1pt win @ 8/1 with Betfred ⭐⭐
Havana Hurricane (3.30, Newbury) 1pt win @ 11/8 with Betfred ⭐⭐⭐
Minnie Hauk (3,40, Curragh) 1pt win @ 2/9 with Betfred ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Odds provided by Betfred and correct at the time of writing. Stars denote strength of selection (maximum five).
If you already have a Betfred account and are looking for a new bookmaker to use for this week's racing, check out more free bets from the best betting sites, reviewed by our experts.
1.50, Newbury – Steventon Stakes (Listed, 1m 2f; ITV1 and Racing TV)
Maybe this open contest can go to ANCIENT WISDOM. Charlie Appleby's four-year-old has developed an inconsistent profile, but he was a Group 1 winner as a two-year-old and landed a Group 3 last term.
That latest success came over 1m 5f, but he was second in the 1m 2f Group 3 Gordon Richards at Sandown earlier this season.
Ancient Wisdom was below form in the Group 1 Coronation Cup at Epsom on his latest outing, and he could do with some rain getting into the ground, but this son of Dubawi has since been gelded and this is a big class drop.
2.05, Market Rasen – Class 3 Handicap Hurdle (2m 4½f; ITV1 and Racing TV)
It is hard to know what the ground is going to do at the Lincolnshire course, as it was officially given as good on Friday (warm and dry), but rain is forecast for race day.
MOSTLY SUNNY won at Plumpton in April and has been running creditably in defeat in some competitive events since then. This race does not look as deep as those recent outings, so it seems a fair opportunity for Dan Skelton's charge.
2.25, Newbury – Class 2 Handicap (2m ½f; ITV1 and Racing TV)
There is probably still more to come from CONTACTO for trainer Andrew Balding, and some rain could help his cause.
This four-year-old struggled to make a telling impression in a competitive race at Newcastle last time, but that was a muddling affair and he was earlier progressive, not looking fully exposed as a stayer.
2.40, Market Rasen – Summer Handicap Hurdle (Class 2 2m ½f; ITV1 and Racing TV)
A James Owen five-year-old, Too Friendly, won this race in 2023 and the trainer is back with another runner of the same age who has fair-looking claims, CAVERN CLUB.
The selection is still relatively unexposed over jumps, having had only six starts as a hurdler, winning twice – including the most recent at Doncaster in March under Gavin Sheehan, who is again in the saddle.
Cavern Club comes into this in form, having won his latest outing on the Flat, and he should not mind what the weather does.
2.57, Newbury – Hackwood Stakes (Group 3, 6f; ITV1 and Racing TV)
This features last year's winner Elite Status as well as Regional, who won the 2023 Group 1 Haydock Sprint Cup. However, preference is for KIND OF BLUE, who won last season's Group 1 Champions Sprint at Ascot.
Our pick was only third in this in 2024, but that was just his fourth start – and while it has been a disappointing campaign for him this time around, he has had excuses for both his starts in 2025.
James Fanshawe's runner blew the start in a 5f race on his reappearance. And most recently, he had an unfavourable track position on the all-weather at Newcastle, and a 7lb penalty.
Kind Of Blue should be happier back on turf and he is unpenalised now.
3.12, Market Rasen – Summer Plate Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap, 2m 5½f; ITV1 and Racing TV)
The Irish-trained BALLYSAX HANK looks to have fair-looking claims. He is a strong traveller who should be better for his recent Bellewstown spin over hurdles, when he was returning from a two-month break, and his usual hood is now refitted.
Our nap has had just three starts over fences, so still has potential, and Harry Cobden, who has ridden the previous two winners of this race, including Sure Touch last year, takes the mount on Gavin Cromwell's charge.
3.30, Newbury – Super Sprint (Class 2, 5f; ITV1 and Racing TV)
This dash for two-year-olds is worth £250,000 and the form runner is the Eve Johnson Houghton-trained HAVANA HURRICANE, who won the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot. Charles Bishop continues in the saddle.
3.40, Curragh – Group 1 Irish Oaks (1m 4f; ITV1 and Racing TV)
This contest seems like an open-and-shut case. MINNIE HAUK has much the best form and anything other than a win for her will be a surprise, although she is priced accordingly – so it is not like there is a lot to be gained from supporting her.
Minnie Hauk did not appear to be one of Aidan O'Brien's top prospects last year, even having cost €1.85m as a yearling. But she won the Cheshire Oaks on her reappearance and then landed the Group 1 Oaks at Epsom, defeating her stablemate Whirl, who then won the Group 1 Pretty Polly at the Curragh.
This daughter of Frankel has quickly progressed into a high-class three-year-old and she potentially has further improvement in her.
Does Aidan O'Brien have any other runners on Saturday?
Just a few – the Ballydoyle maestro is fielding 13 charges, all at the Curragh, including True Love, who takes on the boys in the Group 2 Railway Stakes (2.35). This filly was last seen landing the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot.
Where is Ryan Moore riding on Saturday?
Of course Moore is at the Curragh, where he will be bidding to win the Irish Oaks for the fourth time. And of course he is on hot favourite Minnie Hauk.
Where is William Buick riding on Saturday?
Buick is at Newbury and his mounts include Ancient Wisdom, our selection in the opener.
When is the next big racing festival?
The week-long Galway Festival kicks off in Ireland on Monday July 28, followed a day later by Glorious Goodwood. Check out the latest Glorious Goodwood free bets and betting offers ahead of the West Sussex showdown.
The latter is a five-day fixture and is set to feature the Kingman colt Field Of Gold, possibly the best horse in the world, in the Sussex Stakes on July 30, one of three Group 1s at the meeting.
What does nap mean?
Nap is a word used in betting circles to describe a prediction that a tipster thinks has a particularly strong chance of winning.
Many horse racing tipsters pick out a 'nap of the day', which is their favoured selection from all the races across the different meetings.
The term nap derives from the French card game Napoleon. When players of this game thought they had a particularly strong hand that they would win with, they would shout 'Napoleon'.
Ron Wood 2025 horse racing profit/loss
Star ratings explained
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - confident selection
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - strong fancy
⭐⭐⭐ - fair claims
⭐⭐ - tentative choice
⭐ - minimum confidence
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
8 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Eddie Howe breaks silence on Alexander Isak's future after Liverpool target told hierarchy he wants to leave the club this summer
Eddie Howe has revealed that Newcastle have a 'decision to make' on the future of want-away Alexander Isak - but says it must be for the best of the club. Mail Sport revealed on Thursday that the striker has told the hierarchy he wants to leave this summer, with Liverpool preparing a British record offer. Isak is not here with the squad in Singapore - he reported a thigh injury on Monday - and after Howe's comments at the team hotel on Saturday afternoon, it would appear far from certain that he will still be at the club beyond this transfer window. When asked if he wanted a quick resolution, the Newcastle boss said: 'I wouldn't put a timescale on it. I think with these situations it has to be right for the football club, and everything then is taken into context below that. 'But the club will make the right decision with all the information that it has, and ultimately to try and move the club forward in whatever way that is. Then it's up to us to make good decisions the other way and try and improve the squad as best we can. That's what we're trying to do, regardless of Alex's situation. 'But I think there's a wider picture here. There's a whole football club that has to make the decision. The ownership, together with the board of directors, especially with the money involved in modern day transfers. The manager of course has an opinion, but ultimately the decision will rest with the board.' Howe added: 'Of course there's things going on behind the scenes (with Alex). He will be aware he's in the news every day, and I'm sure that's not easy for anyone in that situation. Conversations that happen between Alex and the club or Alex and myself will stay private for obvious reasons. We do share a really good relationship with him. 'He's been magnificent for us and he's very popular in the dressing room. We'd love him to continue his journey at Newcastle. I certainly hope he stays. And I said (last weekend) I was confident that he'd stay. I don't see anything that's going to change that opinion of mine at the moment, but it's football and who knows what the future may bring. 'All I would say on the broader picture is whatever happens has to be right for Newcastle. We're in a very strong position financially. We're determined to be successful. We are ambitious. We've got a great season ahead of us. We need to add to the squad and continue to improve, and the journey can continue in an upward trajectory.' Howe also revealed that no contract talks are taking place with Isak. 'As far as I'm aware, I don't think there are any contract talks taking place at the moment,' he said. 'That'll be for a later date potentially. I think for now, with the situation as it is and the state of the window, in the sense that it's hurtling towards the end of the window very quickly, from our perspective, there's still so much that could happen.' Of Isak's injury situation, Howe said: 'I've got no major update on that. He first mentioned his thigh just before the Celtic game. We assumed it would be a very minimal injury, nothing too serious. And then on the Monday after the Celtic game, he went in from training very early and didn't feel right. 'So he's now in Newcastle getting that injury assessed and hopefully he'll be back soon and playing in the black-and-white shirt. That's what we all want to see.'
BBC News
8 minutes ago
- BBC News
Warwickshire towns proud of local Lionesses ahead of final
Friends and fans in the Warwickshire hometowns of football stars Jess Carter and Hannah Hampton have spoken of their pride at the Lioness' took her first steps in football with Warwick Juniors as a six-year-old and those who watched it happen said she stood out instantly."She just shone, she had to play against the quality players of West Bromwich Albion, and Coventry City FC and was superb, " said Dean Brandrick, a coach for Warwick added: "At the end of her career with us she won the county cup, she was just above anybody at that time." Mr Brandrick coached Carter until she left for Birmingham City and they have remained in contact. He described how seeing her being presented with a cap to mark her 50th appearance was a proud moment."Tremendous achievement for her, from being a grassroots footballer for so long, she's achieved everything I think possible," the coach Studley, where goalkeeper Hampton grew up, pride is evident as specially knitted postbox toppers have lined the Smith, of Spotty Pots Pottery Painting, told the BBC: "She came from Studley, she's played here, she's part of the fabric of this little village. "There's a lot of buzz around, we've got lots of flags in shops, people are talking about it and we are just so proud of them all and so excited to see what happens on Sunday."England will face Spain in Sunday's final at 17:00 BST. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Daily Mail
8 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Luke Littler plants kiss on girlfriend before dramatic World Matchplay Darts quarter-final win
Luke Littler was spotted planting a kiss on his girlfriend prior to his World Matchplay Darts quarter-final clash with Andrew Gilding on Friday. After dispatching both Ryan Searle and Jermaine Wattimena in previous rounds, the 18-year-old battled former UK Open winner Gilding for a place in the last four. As Pitbull's Greenlight played out across the speakers at Blackpool 's Winter Gardens, Littler made his way to the oche, but not before taking a momentary diversion that set social media alight. Before getting the action underway, Littler walked over to his girlfriend, Faith Miller, and planted a kiss on the 19-year-old. The moment ultimately proved to be something of a good luck charm for Littler, who held off a late surge from Gilding to secure the 16-14 win and reach the World Matchplay semi-finals for the first time. In doing so, The Nuke set a new Matchplay record by hitting 18 maximums to set up a semi-final showdown with World No 17 Josh Rock. He said: 'That last leg I just had to stay focused and get over the line. 'He won a few on the bounce when I was sat on 15 legs but I just had to do a professional job in the end. 'I didn't really panic. Andrew started to win a few legs, but that last leg against the darts as well, I just had to get over the line. 'Andrews does what he does. He never goes out of rhythm. It's the same throw by throw and try and match him.' Littler and Miller have been together for several months. The pair were first pictured together in May when Littler shared a photo of them together to his 1.9million followers on Instagram. Millar comes from Wigan, just 15 miles from Luke's home in Warrington, Cheshire. Littler previously dated beauty consultant Eloise Milburn, who watched on at the 2024 World Darts Championship as an unknown Littler became an instant sensation by reaching the final. However, Littler reportedly ended the relationship in July of last year after his hectic schedule made it difficult for the pair to spend time together.
