Saturday sees more clues revealed for the Classics at Lingfield. There is also historic heritage handicap action at Ascot while the early summer jumps season includes Haydock‘s Swinton Handicap Hurdle.
In that jumps contest, and across Ascot and Lingfield, Matty Sutcliffe has four best bets to follow on Saturday.
Lingfield Racing Tips (Saturday 9 May)
Lingfield’s Classic trials for the Oaks and Derby take place on Saturday. However, Matty’s best bet runs in the opening handicap.
12:55 Lingfield – William Hill Epic Boosts Handicap (GBBPlus Race) (Class 4) (4yo+ 0-85) – Double Red 11/2 1pt WIN
Belardo gelding Double Red recorded a career best effort when comfortably winning a 0-75 here on the all-weather last month, returning from a 200-day layoff.
He raced in midfield early on, but Probert was keen to move him into a more prominent position out wide, joining the leader. He was travelling notably well in front and when Probert pressed the button, the response was fairly immediate to win eased down.
A 5lbs looks fair on that evidence, but he has threatened to look well handicapped in the past with similar performances. He landed a double at Nottingham this time last year in similar style, travelling strong on the outside before picking up well to win going away.
He went 0-3 thereafter, but he got back on track at Epsom when a well backed joint favourite despite it not looking likely throughout. He was outpaced early on, failing to latch on to the bridle, but he found a remarkable turn of foot just over a furlong out to come through the field and win going away by a length.
Belardos have a tendency to find their form later on in their career, and giving the dominance of his last appearance combined with what he’s threatened to promise before, I wouldn’t be surprised if he can make up into a solid performer for Henry Candy this season, with David Probert looking to make it 3-3 on him.
Haydock Racing Tips (Saturday 9 May)
Matty has tipped a big outsider for the Swinton handicap Hurdle, who could run well at 33/1.
1:15 Haydock – Pertemps Network Swinton Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) – Alnilam 33/1 1pt EW 5 places
Olly Murphy has won this twice since 2021 and has a fine record in course handicaps hurdles over the last five seasons, with five wins and eleven places from 28 starts (£23.50+) thus Alnilam is chanced dropping back over timber.
After looking promising over fences with two success at the start of the season, he went backwards thereafter albeit company in Grade 1s and Grade 2s. That said, his Wayward Lad fourth was franked by the third Mirabad, who bagged a Grade 1 at the Aintree festival.
He was pulled up behind Mirabad there having made a mistake and seeing his saddle slip, and this return to hurdles could see a return to form. His record in this sphere read 4171922125, with it reading a more respectable 22125 once equipped with a hood.
He’s just 4lbs above his length second in last season’s Morebattle Hurdle, and if he can rediscover his best form then this mark of 137 could underestimate him.
Ascot Racing Tips (Saturday 9 May)
The Victoria Cup at Ascot is one of the biggest flat handicaps away from the top festivals. Matty has a tip in that race and one other at Ascot.
1:45 Ascot – Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% British EBF Fillies’ Handicap (Class 2) (3yo+ 0-100) – Deedaydiva 15/2 1pt EW 3 places
Alan King hailed Deedaydiva as ‘the best two-year old-filly’ he’s ever trained after she landed a valuable Sandown maiden last August, which was justified having beaten Esna a comfortable two lengths. The second franked that form next time out when beating the now 111 rated Morshdi, and she hit the frame in the Prix Marcel Boussac after now rated 107.
She confirmed her promising debut there, and that form has worked out very well as the three-length winner subsequently landed the G2 Rockfel Stakes with the second winning next time out beating the subsequent Cheshire Oaks winner Amelia Earhart.
Deedaydiva shaped as if needing the run at Nottingham on reappearance last month, beaten five lengths into third having led two out, but the winner could be a very smart filly having won on debut and she holds a Coronation Cup entry.
A mark of 88 looks more than workable on her first two pieces of form for this handicap debut, and Sean Levey is a strong booking from a handy draw in stall four.
2:20 Ascot – Carey Group Victoria Cup (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (4yo+) – Hickory 12/1 1pt EW 6 places
While he is an eight-year-old on a career high mark, Hickory beat the subsequent Sussex Stakes winner Qirat in this contest last season and though he is 10lbs higher, his end of season form suggests a mark of 96 could still be workable.
He won a classified stakes over C&D in September, posting a career best RPR of 101 to pull over a length clear of a subsequent winner now rated 15lbs higher, giving him 4lbs. The third has also franked that form, winning three times since now rated 11lbs higher on 99.
Hickory backed that up when second in the Challenge Cup Handicap over C&D in October, beaten a length by one now rated 111 after his second in group three company last time out.
He’s never far away here with his form reading 230471312, beaten over two lengths just once in ten course starts. He’s proven to go well fresh in the past, and I suspect the yard will have him ready for this valuable handicap first time up.
Matty Sutcliffe’s Tips for Saturday 9 May
12:55 Lingfield – William Hill Epic Boosts Handicap (GBBPlus Race) (Class 4) (4yo+ 0-85) – Double Red 11/2 1pt WIN
1:15 Haydock – Pertemps Network Swinton Handicap Hurdle (Premier Handicap) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+) – Alnilam 33/1 1pt EW 5 places
1:45 Ascot – Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% British EBF Fillies’ Handicap (Class 2) (3yo+ 0-100) – Deedaydiva 15/2 1pt EW 3 places
2:20 Ascot – Carey Group Victoria Cup (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (4yo+) – Hickory 12/1 1pt EW 6 places
Matthew Sutcliffe’s Best Bets – Saturday 9 May
FAQs
What are today’s racing tips?
Matthew Sutcliffe provides his best bets at Lingfield, Haydock & Ascot on Saturday 9 May.
When were Matthew Sutcliffe’s tips published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s racing tips were published at 11.40am on Friday 8 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
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