Four separate courses will have races shown on ITV this Saturday, with ten races broadcast live from the channel. GG tipster Joe Napier has tips for you in half of those, with plenty of value to be had across the cards.
1.50 Haydock – Betfred Silver Bowl Handicap
Potential is a natural obstacle to overcome in a three-year-old’s handicap, with any number of the runners in Haydock’s Silver Bowl likely to have something up their sleeve. One who might be missed on that front due to a recent run at Chester though is SEX ON FIRE, for whom a mark of 89 could still be an underrating.
The son of Dark Angel was a 25/1 shot when returning to turf over course and distance in April, but belied those odds to score comfortably in a first-time visor. The 7lb rise for that victory was fair and he was only beaten a little over a length at Chester last time despite missing the break.
Not only did he have to challenge from the back, but he also did so on what proved the slowest part of the straight that week. He shapes as though there is more to offer and the return to haydock can be seen as a plus.
2.45 Beverley – bet365 Two Year Old Trophy EBF Conditions Stakes
Karl Burke won this with a Wathnan-owned newcomer last year, making the installation of Naval Light as the early favourite look ominous. Nevertheless, three horses have already won races and while they incur a 5lb penalty for that, the experience earned could tell if Naval Light is even the slightest bit green.
The form of Ice Cold Alex’s debut success has worked out well, but TROPICAL DREAMER may just have the edge. He won a restricted novice event over course and distance on his career bow, ultimately racing very professionally and picking up well to score. The third and sixth have both won since, the fourth was second to a very promising type last time out, and the runner-up is deemed talented enough to race in the Hillary Needler for fillies earlier on this Beverley card.
The conditions of that race ensured the selection was conceding weight to the four directly behind him too and he did not look to have been asked for his full capacity by Tom Eaves. He is a full brother to two talented sprinters too, so looks a genuine contender for winning honours again.
3.00 Haydock – Betfred Sandy Lane Stakes (Group 2)
Symbol Of Honour returns just a week after winning in good style at Newbury and the step up from Listed to Group 2 level does not look a daunting one for him. However, he certainly faces tougher rivals here, most notably ARIZONA BLAZE, who is the highest-rated and now looks to face his optimum conditions.
The Amo Racing three-year-old is a bigger price than Big Mojo here despite beating that rival at the Breeders’ Cup from a far worse track position. That came over 5f, but Adrian Murray’s charge looks far more at home at this 6f sprint distance instead.
He finished only a length behind French 2000 Guineas winner Henri Matisse over 7f in March, with that trip likely stretching him at the very end. He regrouped with an easy Group 3 victory over 5½f in France though and should go well again here.
3.15 Goodwood – BetGoodwin Height Of Fashion Stakes (Listed)
She may not have a Classic entry, but VICTORIA HARBOUR could be among the most promising fillies in this Listed contest and further Pattern races may be within her reach later in the season.
Five of her eight siblings recorded RPRs of 90+, with full-sister Zabeel Queen placing in Group 2 company. The selection is also a Frankel half-sister to the very talented Royal Rhyme, who was third in the Group 1 Champion Stakes last season. There is precedent in her pedigree to be fairly useful.
That looked the case when she toughed out a novice success at Wetherby over this distance. A further step forward is obviously needed in this company, but plenty of her rivals require something similar and she looks as likely as any to find it.
3.30 Haydock – Betfred Temple Stakes (Group 2)
Rumstar got his 2025 season off to a cracking start at Newmarket recently, but his only start at Haydock left plenty to be desired and the similarly hat-trick chasing AMERICAN AFFAIR may be about to progress into the big time from handicaps.
Jim Goldie’s five-year-old was regularly thereabouts in good contests last term, progressing 24lb through the handicap in 2024. That included a win in the Portland Handicap at Doncaster, though he has returned in even better shape this term, scoring at Musselburgh, then defeating 16 rivals at York off a career high mark of 98.
He has earned his place at this level, with that York victory from the rear of the field particularly impressive given his track position. He should more than hold his own on his first start in Group company on that evidence, and he may not have stopped improving yet.
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