ITV horse racing tips: Saturday – Chester, Sandown and York

Telegraph

17 hours ago

It's the weekend before Royal Ascot but there's still some good, competitive racing, including seven races on ITV4 on Saturday (1.30-4pm). Our resident expert has a verdict for each of them.
Ron Wood's selections:
Odds provided by William Hill and correct at the time of writing. Stars denote strength of selection (maximum five).
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1.50 York – Class 3 Handicap (7f)
AALTO hasn't been seen since September but he went close to winning on his reappearance last season and he later won the Bunbury Cup, a competitive handicap at Newmarket. He came home two lengths clear that day and the runner-up subsequently won the Ayr Gold Cup.
The selection resumes only 4lb higher than for that success and he has run well at York. He could also cope if there's a bit of rain – and the weather forecast is unsettled – so he seems to have a few things going for him.
Selection: Aalto @ 9/1 with William Hill
2.05 Sandown – Class 2 Handicap (1m)
There's still better to come from the well-bred CLASSIC, who has run respectably in defeat in both starts this year at Newbury, most recently in a race that didn't unfold to suit.
Richard Hannon's horse has won at this venue and Ryan Moore rides him for the first time. As with York, the weather at Sandown looks a bit unsettled but Classic can cope with most conditions.
2.25 York – Class 3 Handicap (1m 4f)
There's also still better to come from the lightly raced MY DREAM WORLD, judging by the way he stayed on when fifth at Ascot on his recent return from a 10-month absence.
He raced off the pace in a slowly run race, didn't get a clear run and was not given a hard ride. Only the winner finished faster than him and he looked good value for finishing second.
The selection is probably going to need further before long, but he should be better for that return effort and he appeals as worth siding with.
2.40 Sandown – Scurry Stakes (Listed, 5f)
TOWN AND COUNTRY is still improving and this looks to be a good opportunity for her. She finished well to take second in a fillies' Listed race at Cork on her latest start and this stiff track should suit.
The form of that Cork contest has worked out well since, with the winner finishing a close third at Group 2 level and the fourth winning a Group 3 prize at Newbury.
Irish champion jockey Colin Keane, newly appointed as retained rider to Juddmonte, takes over in the saddle for the first time, which is no bad thing.
Selection: Town And Country @ 4/1 with William Hill
3.00 York – Grand Cup (Listed, 1m 6f)
On the face of it, ABSURDE was a little disappointing when selected on these pages for the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes at Chester last month, finishing third, one place behind the re-opposing Al Qareem.
However, the ground was slower than expected, which blunted the turn of foot that is his main asset, and the winner that day, Illinois, is favourite for next week's Ascot Gold Cup.
This Willie Mullins runner will want the rain to stay away, but he won the 2023 Ebor over this trip on his only previous start at York. He also won a Chester Listed race the only other time he was ridden by today's jockey Daniel Tudhope, whose quiet style suits him.
3.20 Chester – Class 2 Handicap (7½f)
JOUNCY, highly tried last year including when finishing second in a Group 3 race on the all-weather at Kempton, hasn't progressed this season but he has plenty going for him now.
On his latest outing, he found 6f against older rivals in a Listed contest at Salisbury asked too much of him, but now he steps up in trip and down in class for his handicap debut, plus he's back against his own age group.
Consider also that the visor he wore when runner-up in that Group 3 race is fitted for the first time in this campaign, and he is drawn low around this sharp circuit. The booking of Hollie Doyle appeals as a good one for this course too.
3.35 York – Class 2 Handicap (6f)
This extremely good three-year-old sprint handicap could hardly be any more competitive, so it's not one for a confident punt, but DOUBLE RUSH may still be underestimated by the official assessor.
He won on his handicap debut at Newmarket when looking well in at the weights and his form is working out, so a 5lb rise doesn't seem excessive.
It might be that the selection could ideally do with at least a bit of rain.
Selection: Double Rush @ 11/2 with William Hill
Today's racing
(Flat unless stated)
Bath 1.23-4.50
Sandown 1.30-5.35
Chester 1.35-5.05
Downpatrick (NH) 1.40-5.10
York 1.50-5.20
Hexham (NH) 4.20-7.28
Uttoxeter (NH) 5.40-8.40
Leicester 6.20-8.50
Ron Wood 2025 horse racing P/L
(up to and including Thursday June 12)
Star ratings explained
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - confident selection
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - strong fancy
⭐⭐⭐ - fair claims
⭐⭐ - tentative choice
⭐ - minimum confidence
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