We have something for everyone on the ITV Racing schedule this Saturday afternoon as the team heads to Cheltenham, Doncaster, and Newbury for a mix of quality National Hunt and flat racing action.
We look forward to seeing many of the jumps stars return at Prestbury Park, but here, we turn our attention to the quintet of intriguing flat events on offer – headlined by the final Group 1 of the domestic season in the William Hill Futurity Trophy.
1:30 Doncaster, William Hill Prospect Stakes, 6f, Listed
There’s a strong juvenile flavour to the events on the level, kicking off with this quality Listed sprint contest. The ground at Doncaster is currently soft, with a mixed forecast for the remainder of the week.
There are plenty of likeable sorts in this year’s field, including Diego Ventura, who is a perfect two from two over this trip and ran well for third in a 7f Group 3 last time. Arctic Voyage is another to note, having taken a big step forward to score on his second start, whilst La Bellota and Francisco’s Piece bring rock-solid placed form to the table.
However, our eye is drawn to the Aidan O’Brien-trained Bounty. By No Nay Never and out of a dam in Rosdhu Queen who scored in Group 1 company over this trip, he could scarcely be more suited to the task at hand on paper. Having finished a promising second on debut, he made no mistake next time out at Naas when travelling like a dream before quickening up smartly to put the race to bed. This demands more, but we wouldn’t be surprised if he is up to the task.
Recommended Bet: Bounty to win at 10/3 with BetVictor
2:05 Doncaster, Join Century Racing Club Today Handicap, 5f, Class 2
Gemma Tutty’s Blue Storm heads the betting in the only flat handicap on the TV card, having landed a solid event at Haydock at the back end of September. That effort showed he handles soft ground well, but he’s up 5lb for a head success, which makes life tougher.
Course and distance winner Venture Capital makes the shortlist for Kevin Ryan, having hit the frame in his last four starts. However, he’s 6lb higher than for his most recent success and is yet to win on anything slower than good.
Overall, we see this going the same way as in 2023 and will be lending our support to the defending champ, Aberama Gold. Now seven years old, he may be slightly past his best but is fully 11lbs lower this time and suggested his turn may be near when staying on well for fourth at Catterick last time. Back on a more galloping track, he can get on top late in the piece.
Recommended Bet: Aberama Gold to win at 7/1 with bet365
2:40 Doncaster, William Hill Futurity Trophy Stakes, 1m, Group 1
Eight go to the post in the feature in a race which landed by subsequent Classic heroes Auguste Rodin, Kameko, Magna Grecia, and Saxon Warrior in the last ten years. Three of that quartet hailed from the yard of Aidan O’Brien, and the Ballydoyle maestro has another likely sort on his hands this year in the beautifully bred Delacroix. By Dubawi and out of the US wonder mare, Tepin, he makes stacks of appeal on paper and arrives on the back of a win in the Group 3 Autumn Stakes at Newmarket.
The mount of Ryan Moore boasts obvious claims, as does Royal Lodge winner Wimbledon Hawkeye from the James Owen operation, whilst Anno Domini, Detain, and Nebras all arrive with unbeaten records.
Royal Playwright and Seaplane can’t be dismissed, but the one who looks overpriced in a wide-open heat is the Jessica Harrington representative Hotazhell. Making his sixth career start here, this one has been busier than most and arrives with Group 3 and Group 2 wins under his belt. The best of those efforts came when stepped up to this trip for the first time last time out in the Beresford Stakes - a race which saw him come with a relentless late run down the outside for a ¾l success. Looking a strong stayer at the trip and possessing an admirable attitude, the 6/1 odds underestimate his chance.
Recommended Bet: Hotazhell to win at 6/1 with BetVictor
3:10 Newbury, BetVictor Horris Hill Stakes, 7f, Group 3
With the ground currently described as heavy and spells of rain in the forecast, it seems safe to assume that conditions will be pretty testing for the two televised events from Newbury. The youngsters are first up in this competitive Group 3 affair.
The William Haggas-trained Yarroogh heads the market, having registered his fourth win in five starts in a heavy-ground Listed event at Chantilly last time. It’s hard to knock that form, and he shouldn’t be far away.
Others to note include the unbeaten duo of Make You Smile and Mirabeau, who arrives seeking a hattrick, but the one to get our vote is Benevento, from the Raphael Freire operation.
Last sighted landing a Listed event at Doncaster, the form of that race looks solid, with the fourth home, Mr Chaplin, previously landing a hot handicap at York, and the third, The Waco Kid, winning the Group 3 Tattersalls Stakes next time. Benevento's Listed win came on good ground, but sire Wootton Bassett won his Group 1 in near bottomless conditions, whilst dam Pollyanna was a Group 2 winner on soft.
Recommended Bet: Benevento to win at 3/1 with BetVictor
3:45 Newbury, BetVictor St. Simon Stakes, 1m4f, Group 3
The likeable Al Aasy is a short-priced favourite for this Group 3 affair and should prove too good, having previously won six times in this grade. His most recent successes have come on good to firm, but he’s a dual winner on soft and was undone by tactics rather than conditions when second in the Cumberland Lodge Stakes last time. Boasting a four-from-six record at this track - and with Al Qareem not taking up this engagement - it’s hard to fault his claims.
John & Thady Gosden’s Danielle is the most viable alternative, having easily won her only previous outing on soft, but has questions to answer following a 13l defeat in a fillies-only Listed event last time.
Those seeking an each-way punt may wish to consider heavy ground course and distance winner Max Vega at a double-figure price, but he has been out of sorts of late. With only two places to play for, we will keep things simple and side with the jolly.
Recommended Bet: Al Aasy to win 5/4 with bet365
Paul Harrison
Falling in love with racing at a young age, Paul’s passion for sports and betting took him to Salford University, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Economics with Gambling Studies. Having spent ten years in the employment of a leading bookmaker, Paul opted to go it alone and pursue his dream job as a freelance writer.
 (1).webp)
