A whirlwind Saturday of racing is in store this weekend, with eight meetings taking place across the UK and Ireland. Four tracks host Listed class races or higher.
Matty Sutcliffe’s tips for the Saturday racing come from three of those tracks in Ascot, Newmarket and York.
Ascot Racing Tips (Saturday 11 July 2026)
Ascot is one of four tracks hosting Listed and Group quality racing on Saturday. Matty’s selection runs in handicap company though, in the opening contest.
13:55 Ascot – Club 26 Heritage Handicap (Class 2) (3yo+) – Behike 15/2 1pt WIN
If Behike can cope with this step up against older horses then he could prove a handicap blot receiving a 4lbs weight for age allowance.
The Night Of Thunder colt made a promising debut the back end of last season when third to Raaheeb, who subsequently won the bet365 Classic Trial before finishing midfield in the Irish Derby.
He made a hugely impressive seasonal debut at Lingfield down in trip when comfortably making all to beat the 4/9F favourite by seven lengths, who won next time out. He backed that up again at Lingfield next time out albeit on turf, pulling clear of a 90 rated colt with ease.
It was a massive ask to pitch him into the King Charles III Stakes on just his fourth start and first at the trip, and while he did finish toward the rear end of the field, he was only beaten five length finishing third in his group of seven.
The two ahead of him in his group were the 112 rated Night Raider and the 104 rated Mgheera, both Group 2 winners.
Having not been disgraced in a Group 1 company on just his fourth start, it would be a surprise to see him not be bang there now dropping into a handicap with several exposed types, with his handy allowance.
Newmarket Racing Tips (Saturday 11 July 2026)
It is July Cup day at Newmarket on Saturday, with Matty’s selection running earlier on the card in the third race.
14:52 Newmarket – Weatherbys Handicap (Class 2) (3yo 0-100) – Tales Of Wisdom 12/1 1pt EW 3 places
Godolphin have won this in five of the last eight renewals, with Appleby and Buick responsible for three of the last five, so that boosts the claims of Tales of Wisdom despite a heavy defeat in the Britannia.
Interestingly, their winners of this race in 2024 and 2018 were also well beaten in the Britannia before landing this, which further suggests we can draw a line through his effort where he failed to fire on the far side.
Prior to that, he was a comfortable winner on the Rowley Mile, beating Bayaan three quarters of a length, who was a cosy albeit entitled winner next time out. The fifth also won next time out, and he’s evidently a useful type having won by 11 lengths on debut.
The yard are off the mark already at a meeting they generally tend to farm, and it’ll be no surprise should he bounce back to form given his previous promise.
York Racing Tips (Saturday 11 July 2026)
The historic John Smith’s Cup takes place at York on Saturday, with one of Matty’s two tips running in the race.
15:12 York – John Smith’s City Walls Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (3yo+) – Azure Angel 16/1 1pt EW 4 places
As mentioned when tipping her up for the Royal meeting, I’m of the opinion is a good bit better than what she’s achieved thus far and also believe she should’ve got a good bit closer in the King Charles III Stakes.
She was dropped out rank last under Danny Tudhope, following the eventual winner throughout. However, she was held on to for far too long, finishing with plenty of running with the second fastest finishing speed in the race only to the winner.
She overcame adversity to win a listed contest at Bath, coming right around runners to display a smart turn of foot. She wasn’t knocked out when bumped at the start in the Achilles Stakes, coming home largely under hands and heels behind Washington Heights. She clocked the quickest top speed and the second fastest finishing speed percentage in a strongly run race there, and along with her stride frequency she can be better suited to this sharper track.
She does have course form, finishing third here last season, but she’s recorded progressive RPR’s the last three times and I’d expect her to be thereabouts if backing up her promising Ascot run.
15:45 York – John Smith’s Cup (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race) (Class 2) (3yo+) – Quai De Bethune 14/1 1pt EW 6 places
Quai De Bethune ran creditably up to a point at Epsom when returning from a 349-day reappearance, and could still be better than this mark. The former Andrew Balding inmate made good headway, challenging two out. But Doyle dropped his whip, and his challenged quickly petered out on the soft ground behind the thrown in winner.
Last season, he caught the eye finishing third in the London Gold Cup behind the subsequent Tattersalls Gold Cup third Saddadd. He then backed that up to gamely win the Golden Gates Stakes Handicap at Royal Ascot, with the now 115 rated Best Secret in third.
He still remains somewhat unexposed with just three handicaps behind him, and if he can come on from that first run after his long lay off then he can fare well now back on a sounder surface.
Matthew Sutcliffe’s Tips for Saturday 11 July
13:55 Ascot – Club 26 Heritage Handicap (Class 2) (3yo+) – Behike 8/1 1pt WIN
14:52 Newmarket – Weatherbys Handicap (Class 2) (3yo 0-100) – Tales Of Wisdom 12/1 1pt EW 3 places
15:12 York – John Smith’s City Walls Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (3yo+) – Azure Angel 16/1 1pt EW 4 places
15:45 York – John Smith’s Cup (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race) (Class 2) (3yo+) – Quai De Bethune 14/1 1pt EW 6 places
FAQs
What are today’s racing tips?
Matthew Sutcliffe provides his best bets at Ascot, Newmarket & York meeting on Saturday 11 July.
When were Matthew Sutcliffe’s tips published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s racing tips were published at 10.15am on Friday 10 July.
Who is Matthew Sutcliffe?
Matthew Sutcliffe is GGs newest contributor, often providing a value angle for his tips. He writes weekly columns for the weekend’s racing, as well as taking aim at ante-post markets at the Cheltenham Festival. Follow him on X: @MattySutcliffe
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