Three different tracks host live racing on ITV on Saturday. There is also Group 1 action at the Curragh on a busy day of racing.
Matty Sutcliffe has analysed all of the ITV cards this weekend. He has selections at Goodwood, Haydock and York for you to follow.
Goodwood Racing Tips (Saturday 23 May)
Goodwood’s Epsom Classic trials take place on Saturday, though his selection at the Sussex venue runs in the opening contest on the card.
13:25 Goodwood – Fitzdares Harroways Handicap (Class 2) (3yo) – Wechaad 17/2 1pt EW 5 places
On paper, the draw is the obvious concern for Wechaad who’ll have to come from stall 15 of 17. However, he’s going to be held up and likely switched out wide when making his challenge, which has been a successful method of taking this competitive contest in the past.
I’d be of the opinion that Wechaad may be the group horse in a handicap here. He failed to land a blow on debut last season at Leicester, but stepped up next time out to finish length third to the subsequent Mill Reef winner Words Of Truth at Ascot. He then stepped up to seven furlongs at Newbury, beaten a length into second by the now 102-rated Venetian Sun who fared well in the Craven Stakes.
He then bolted up in the manner of a smart one on nursery debut at Doncaster despite still looking unfurnished coming from rear, and he confirmed that strong performance was no fluke when a three length third in the Horris Hill Stakes.
That form has been franked in places this season, and he’s bred to improve himself as a three year old. His half-brother was 0-6 at two before improving 22lbs as a three-year-old, and their dam was a two time three year old winner having been unraced at two.
Haydock Racing Tips (Saturday 23 May)
One of Haydock’s biggest racedays on the flat takes place on Saturday. Matty has two tips in the Silver Bowl Handicap and the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes.
14:20 Haydock – William Hill Silver Bowl Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (3yo) – Langstone 10/1 1.5pt EW 5 places
Clive Cox has won this twice since 2018 and he has another strong chance with the progressive Langstone. It’s no surprise he didn’t make his debut until the 28th October, given what a physically imposing sort he is and how he behaved in the contest.
Gelded soon after, he’s evidently wintered well despite not looking the finished article when winning at Doncaster on his reappearance. He was pushed along early and took a while to get into stride, but once he did he gathered plenty of momentum and despite hanging left, he ran down the 6/4 favourite King Of Earth who backed that effort up when close in a 25 runner maiden at Newbury.
He then went to Kempton to carry a penalty and despite only winning by a length and a half, he was strong value for that margin as he was carried left across the track once the paced lifted, conceding plenty of ground. Once hitting top gear, he again strode away impressively to win comfortably. The fifth, who was also carrying a penalty, has won since with an RPR of 100 and I think an opening mark of 87 could widely underestimate this strong son of Mayson who despite not bred for it, should be suited to this step up to a mile given how strong he’s been at seven.
14:58 Haydock – William Hill Sandy Lane Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (3yo) – Five Ways 12/1 1pt EW 3 places
Three of these contested the Pavillion Stakes last time out with Coppull getting the better of Division, but in between that pair was a previously exposed two year who didn’t have the best of form at 66/1, and the fourth and fifth have failed to frank that form thus I’m not sure how strong that race is, if at all.
Five Ways was behind Brussels and Coppull when not looking all that in love with the track in the Middle Park last season, but he was only beaten two lengths, and he might prove the bet at the prices.
He quietly stayed on over an inadequate five furlongs in the Palace House Stakes last time, which smacked of a fitness outing. Balding ran a three year old in the race last season who was down the field before winning a listed contest next time out, and I suspect this will have been the plan with Five Ways providing they return to prominent tactics.
York Racing Tips (Saturday 23 May)
In a competitive 5f handicap, Matty has a confident win-only tip for York’s Saturday card.
14:40 York – William Hill Epic Boost Handicap (Class 2) (3yo+ 0-105) – Fortification 6/1 1pt WIN
A potentially unfavourable draw has prevented me from making this a stronger selection, but it might not matter regardless for Fortification who overcame adversity and a track bias when winning on yard debut here last week.
The Mehmas gelding was bought from 350,000gns as a Breeze Up for Wathnan and Archie Watson, but he proved wholly disappointing last season with just a Wolverhampton Novice to his name.
He was subsequently purchased for 26,000gns last month, and made an immediate impact for Brian Ellison. Despite being sent off 40/1, he travelled strongly throughout toward the middle/ farside part of the track. Ben Robinson switched him to the outer after not getting room, with several overtaking him, but he produced a wild turn of foot down the wrong part of the track to comfortably win going away.
His effort can be further upgraded, as the pace held up off the front end with the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th all racing prominently, and Fortification was the only to clock a 100%+ finishing speed, with an electric 12.04 second final furlong.
A 5lbs rise certainly underestimates how impressive that was, and if this once highly regarded Breeze Up horse has clicked in to gear, a mark of 85 will be long gone come the end of the season.
Matty Sutcliffe’s Tips for Saturday 23 May
13:25 Goodwood – Fitzdares Harroways Handicap (Class 2) (3yo) – Wechaad 17/2 1pt EW 5 places
14:20 Haydock – William Hill Silver Bowl Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (3yo) – Langstone 10/1 1.5pt EW 5 places
14:40 York – William Hill Epic Boost Handicap (Class 2) (3yo+ 0-105) – Fortification 6/1 1pt WIN
14:58 Haydock – William Hill Sandy Lane Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (3yo) – Five Ways 12/1 1pt EW 3 places
FAQs
What are today’s racing tips?
Matthew Sutcliffe provides his best bets at Goodwood, Haydock & York on Saturday 23 May.
When were Matthew Sutcliffe’s tips published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s racing tips were published at 4.40pm on Thursday 21 May.
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
Commercial notice: This article on GG.co.uk contains affiliate links. The offers we promote come from operators that we trust and our experts have first-hand experience dealing with. If you open an account through one of these affiliate links then GG will earn revenue. However, we ensure that the money earned goes back into improving and enhancing our coverage of horse racing and other sports, as we look to provide an excellent service to our growing audience.