Today’s FREE ITV racing tips: Ascot, Haydock and Kempton – Steve Mullen’s betting preview for the racing this Saturday, September 9
CAPE BYRON can sail away with the Cunard Handicap at Ascot (2.45).
Roger Varian’s flyer almost managed to win from an impossible draw at Goodwood last time out.
He was marooned out in stall 18 over the 7f trip and had to use up plenty of petrol with a big sweeping move around the outside.
To finish second — more than three lengths clear of anything else drawn high — was a major achievement in the circumstances.
Even then he was running on at the finish and seemed to have something left in the tank. Today’s race is no tougher than that and, while he hasn’t got the pick of the draw, it’s nothing like the handicap he faced at Goodwood.
He’s just 1lb higher in the weights than that run and still has the makings of a Group horse.
ANGEL OF THE NORTH Your in depth preview to Saturday's Sprint Cup at Haydock
The consistent Ripp Orf loves it here and won’t mind the big field either having won the Victoria Cup over this trip in May.
He is still 10lb higher in the weights than that but continues in good form and is a must for the shortlist.
You can find a reason why most of these could win, including Gilgamesh. He has been running better than his finishing positions would suggest and is only 2lb higher than when winning at York in May.
He was seventh in the Wokingham on his last visit to Ascot but this longer distance seems to suit better.
If Harry Angel is back to his very best he should defend his Haydock Sprint Cup title at 4.15.
He has been given a long break since his defeat at Royal Ascot, which was mainly caused by getting upset in the stalls and knocking himself. Trainer Clive Cox knows what he’s doing but there has to be a slight question mark about how he will handle the start this time after that episode.
And he does have to bring his best form because there are other proven Group 1 performers to beat — including THE TIN MAN.
Steve Mullen's top tips for Saturday
2.45 Ascot - Cape Byron: 'Ran a huge race from an impossible draw last time and has the makings of a Group horse'
3.55 Ascot - First Eleven: 'Unlucky not to win at Royal Ascot and looks primed for this'
4.15 Haydock - The Tin Man: 'The most likely to cash in if the favourite doesn't run his race'
James Fanshawe’s star has to be worth a bet at the prices given how solid his form has been this season.
He ran a cracker in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes to be beaten a length despite being blocked at a crucial stage.
His effort at Deauville last time was fair enough too with the longer trip not ideal along with being drawn on the wrong side of the track.
He’s had a relatively light campaign and would be the one to cash in should the favourite not run his race.
Eqtidaar is another who knows what it takes to win at this level after winning the Commonwealth Cup at the Royal meeting.
He wasn’t able to follow up in the July Cup but he’s proven with some give in the ground and could easily make the podium.
FIRST ELEVEN can wake up and smell the coffee in Ascot’s Lavazza Stakes at 3.55.
It’s tempting to say this will be a bit of a grind but John Gosden looks to be brewing up another Saturday winner with this son of Frankel.
He didn’t get going in a Newmarket Group 3 last time but was massively unlucky not to win the King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot two starts ago.
He handled this course and distance well but was blocked off passing the 2f pole and then hampered again when he tried to make his winning run.
To finish just over a neck off the lead in third place was an excellent effort given all that drama and he can gain compensation today.
Another Frankel colt in the same colours, Midi, could be a big threat stepping up in class for Sir Michael Stoute. He won well at Newcastle last time and will appreciate this longer trip too.
Ghostwatch is up 6lb for winning at York last time but stays well and will try to stretch them out.
ASCOT
1.35 Production
2.10 Shambolic
2.45 Cape Byron
3.20 Bella Regazza
3.55 First Eleven
4.30 Rebel Streak
5.05 Open Wide
HAYDOCK
1.50 Mekong
2.25 Regal Reality
3.00 Beatboxer
3.35 Hochfield
4.15 The Tin Man
4.50 Poyle Vinnie
5.25 Exhort
KEMPTON
2.05 Enable
2.40 Water Diviner
3.15 Honey Man
3.50 Daafr
4.25 Quiet Endeavour
5.00 Art Of Swing
5.35 Margub
STRATFORD
2.20 Competition
2.55 Golden Birthday
3.30 Take A Break
4.05 Cusheen Bridge
4.40 Mister Universum
5.15 Ink Master
5.50 Itchy Feet
THIRSK
2.00 Castle Quarter
2.35 Jungle Juice
3.10 Armandihan
3.45 Florenza
4.20 Red Pike
4.55 Knighted
5.30 Airglow
WOLVERHAMPTON
5.45 Celtic Artisan
6.15 Tigerwolf
6.45 Fizzy Feet
7.15 Aurag
7.45 Hibernicus
8.15 Sbrasse
8.45 Mrs Burbidge
9.15 Spiced