Today’s FREE ITV racing tips: Newmarket, Haydock, Market Rasen, Ripon, Chester and Chelmsford – Steve Mullen’s betting preview for the racing this Saturday, September 29
Steve Mullen guides you through Saturday's racing at Newmarket, Haydock, Market Rasen, Ripon, Chester and Chelmsford
SHARJA BRIDGE won’t be crossed in the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket (3.40).
Roger Varian’s four-year-old is winner without a penalty after a massively unlucky fourth in hot company at York last time out.
He was cruising along and looked ready to scoot away from his rivals when tripping slightly entering the final furlong of the Knavesmire.
It was an excellent effort to keep going as well as he did to get fourth place, less than two lengths off the fortunate winner.
That race built on the good impression he gave as a three-year-old and earlier this season when he was second over this course and distance on his comeback. He’s been lightly raced since then and looks a Group horse — which you need to be for this historic handicap.
I thought Pivoine could conjure up a profit for the Wizard last week but he was a nonner when fancied for a hot race at Newbury.
That was with good reason too after he left a quality field for dust at York over 1m2f. The handicapper hasn’t gone mad with an 8lb rise for that and his high cruising speed should let him get into a good position today.
He’s another who should be aimed at Listed races or better after this, whatever happens.
Steve Mullen's top tips for Saturday
- 3.40 Newmarket - Sharja Bridge
- 2.05 Haydock - Mitchum Swagger
- 3.15 Haydock - Blue De Vega
There have been plenty of shock winners of this down the years — including 50-1 poke Dolphin Vista last season.
Mordin probably won’t be quite that price but he still looks excellent value. He has been knocking on the door this season with a run of seconds after a couple of wins. He has cheekpieces on for the first time here and those, along with the guaranteed fast pace, could coax a big run out of him.
There is some decent handicap action at Haydock where MITCHUM SWAGGER should go close in the 2.05.
He was last seen running an excellent third in the Lincoln at Doncaster where he just got a little tired in the bottomless ground.
It’s a slight concern that he’s been off for six months since but he’s gone well fresh before and has held his own in Group company.
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Trainer Ralph Beckett has his horses in good form and can land this nice prize.
Commentator’s nightmare Alemaratalyoum looks a danger after he enjoyed the soft ground in finishing second at Ayr last time out. There was a long way back to the third there so the form should hold up.
BLUE DE VEGA has slipped to his last winning mark which gives him every chance in Haydock’s 3.15.
He ran better than 13th place suggests at Doncaster last time and put in a solid effort on his last visit to Merseyside earlier this month.
The form that catches the eye is his victory at Ascot in July when he best some useful rivals to win going away. It’s a slight surprise that he hasn’t managed to follow up but the handicapper’s help could do the trick.
Michael Dods has two in this who can both be given every chance. Holmeswood ran a good race in the Portland at Doncaster last time where he was too far back.
Stablemate Dakota Gold finished a couple of places ahead of him on Town Moor despite pulling hard in the early exchanges. It will be interesting to see if the sharper pace over the minimum trip helps him on that score because he’s also close to his last winning mark.
Poyle Vinnie is another getting some help from the assessor and his best form would put him right in the picture.
NEWMARKET
1.50 Arthur Kitt
2.25 Pretty Pollyanna
3.00 Ten Sovereigns
3.40 Sharja Bridge
4.15 Imperial Charm
4.50 Muchly
5.25 Chaleur
5.55 Ripp Orf
HAYDOCK
1.30 Guroor
2.05 Mitchum Swagger
2.40 Cap Francais
3.15 Blue De Vega
3.50 Kenny The Captain
4.25 Garbanzo
5.00 Finniston Farm
CHESTER
2.00 Barristan The Bold
2.35 Intransigent
3.10 Princes Des Sables
3.45 Mr Top Hat
4.20 Alkhawaneej Boy
4.55 Bell Heather
5.30 Al Destoor
RIPON
1.55 Fastman
2.30 Riviera Nights
3.05 East Street Revue
3.35 Muscika
4.10 Multellie
4.45 Muatadel
5.20 Prabeni
MARKET RASEN
1.40 Kings Reste
2.15 Jack Regan
2.50 Elkstone
3.25 Not A Role Model
4.00 Linganno Felice
4.35 Gold Class
5.10 Get An Oscar
CHELMSFORD CITY
5.45 Emily Goldfinch
6.15 Mystic Meg
6.45 Secret Art
7.15 Straight Right
7.45 Maybe Today
8.15 Verne Castle
8.45 La Fortuna