ITV Racing’s cameras focus in on two of the biggest flat racing venues in the world on Friday. Both Newmarket and Ascot host significant races as the flat season picks up pace in the UK.
Matty Sutcliffe has selections at both tracks on the day. He has four tips for you to follow, including a 100/1 shot at Ascot.
Newmarket Racing Tips (Friday 1 May)
The Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes headlines Newmarket’s meeting on Friday. Matty has a tip for that race, as well as in two others on the Rowley Mile.
2:20 Newmarket – JCB Newmarket Stakes (Listed Race) (Colts & Geldings) (Class 1) (3yo) – My Love Is King 11/4 1pt WIN
Charlie Appleby has won this on five of the last the ten occasions, and three of the last four, s Poseidon’s Warrior has to be respected, but four of the winners were making their British seasonal debuts and Poseidon’s Warrior returns 16 days later after racing keenly when a strong favourite for the Fielden and he can be taking on in a first time hood.
John Gosden won this with Mishriff in 2020 and My Love Is King is the alternative to the favourite, who ran an excellent race on reappearance in very strong looking Newbury Novice. The Kingman colt looked smart when winning at Newcastle on debut in November when looking anything but professional in the closing stages, yet still won with authority.
He was un-fancied in the market at Newbury two weeks ago, but ran a good race to be beaten a neck by the 7/4 favourite and Dante/Derby entrant Maltese Cross. A blanket could’ve been thrown over the first six home, all of whom displayed strong promise as two year olds, and I suspect that race will work out nicely.
A full brother to a smart performer in America, from the family of connections’ 2012 Coronation Stakes winner Fallen For You, My Love Is King is bred to be smart and can build on that promise comeback run.
2:55 Newmarket – Betfred “The Classic Bookmaker” Handicap (Class 3) (3yo 0-90) – Lake Como 7/2 1pt WIN
Coolmore off-cast Lake Como was a big improver for George Boughey over the winter on the allweather, taking a Newcastle novice and a Southwell Handicap off 81 without Billy Loughnane ever getting serious in the saddle.
He returned from a 90-day break when an eye-catcher in a Kempton conditions stakes, coming from rear to be beaten three lengths by 2000 Guineas contender King’s Trail, giving him 3lbs.
He wasn’t given a hard time under Pat Cosgrave thereabout it was still a career best behind one allotted a mark of 101 thus this handicap turf debut off 89 could potentially underestimate his talents with Billy Loughnane back in the saddle.
3:30 Newmarket – Betfred Jockey Club Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (4yo+) – French Master 7/1 1pt WIN
Negatives can be made for plenty of these, not least Bay City Roller who’d arguably prefer softer ground and his seven length win at Munich last November looked to wildly flatter him. There are negatives for French Master, but excuses can be made for his defeats last season and a subsequent gelding operation could see him improve drastically this season.
He was last seen finishing second last in the Ebor at York, but he stopped quickly there having been slowly away and racing wide to lead three out, never finding a rhythm throughout off top-weight.
Prior to that, he was again slowly away when a beaten seventh in the Goodwod Cup, shaping as if a non-stayer at the trip. His best effort came when a two length winner in the Copper Horse Stakes at Royal Ascot, beating the subsequent Prix Cadran winner and now 114-rated Caballo De Mar.
The headgear has been left off for this reappearance, but if a gelding operation has allayed his coltish ways that mightn’t be an issue and he could be the type to make up into a group horse this season in a weak looking contest.
Ascot Racing Tips (Friday 1 May)
In Ascot’s Group 3 Sagaro Stakes, Matty has taken a flyer on a 100/1 shot to outstay all his rivals.
2:35 Ascot – Longines Sagaro Stakes (Group 3) (A Gold Cup Trial) (Class 1) (4yo+) – Deira Mile 100/1 0.5pt EW 3 places
Having left Owen Burrows for 16,000gns last October, the once very talented Deira Mile could either go one of two ways tomorrow. The probability is that there are underlying issues that have caused him to leave the yard for such a price, but, and the but is minimal, if that isn’t the case, then he could be a stellar bet at the prices tomorrow.
The son of Camelot hasn’t been seen since finishing down the field in the Sheema Classic last season, and has been subsequently gelded after switching to Jessica Bedi. Prior to that, his efforts include a two-length fourth in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes, and a fourth in each of the Derby and the St Leger. The latter effort suggested this two mile trip is worth exploring.
On his best form, he would be much further to the fore of the market here and I’m willing to take a chance that if he is well within himself, he can conjure up a strong performance on this layoff in a race he’d comfortably take on his best form.
Matty Sutcliffe’s Best Bets for Friday 1 May
2:20 Newmarket – JCB Newmarket Stakes (Listed Race) (Colts & Geldings) (Class 1) (3yo) – My Love Is King 11/4 1pt WIN
2:35 Ascot – Longines Sagaro Stakes (Group 3) (A Gold Cup Trial) (Class 1) (4yo+) – Deira Mile 100/1 0.5pt EW 3 places
2:55 Newmarket – Betfred “The Classic Bookmaker” Handicap (Class 3) (3yo 0-90) – Lake Como 7/2 1pt WIN
3:30 Newmarket – Betfred Jockey Club Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (4yo+) – French Master 7/1 1pt WIN
Matthew Sutcliffe’s Best Bets – Friday 1 May
FAQs
What are today’s racing tips?
Matthew Sutcliffe provides his best bets for the racing at Newmarket & Ascot on Friday 1 May.
When were Matthew Sutcliffe’s tips published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s racing tips were published at 4.13pm on Thursday 30 April.
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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