Be sure to tune in to ITV3 for this afternoon’s racing coverage, as it’s not on the usual main channel. Football is airing on ITV’s primary station, and ITV4 is dedicated to darts today.
The Ayr Gold Cup Festival wraps up today, showcasing its signature race—one of the most fiercely contested handicaps of the season. Alongside my top pick for that event, I’ve got betting tips for the other eight races featured on ITV. My standout selection, or “nap,” is a promising filly running at Newbury in a race that holds special significance for her trainer.
Here are my top three recommendations, with odds from Sky Bet valid at the time of publication:
RON WOOD’S PICKS (odds via Sky Bet)
- 1.02pm Newbury: Aspect Island ⭐⭐⭐ at 14/1
- 2.12pm Newbury: Jolivette (nap) ⭐⭐⭐ at 2/1
- 2.47pm Newbury: Balzac ⭐⭐⭐ at 11/2
At 1.02pm at Newbury, Aspect Island, a large horse with potential as a sprinter, has been underwhelming this season but may improve after being gelded following his last run seven weeks ago. His trainer James Owen, known for consistent success, is optimistic for a turnaround.
The 1.20pm Ayr Class 2 Handicap sees McMurray, who last ran in May when he won over 7½ furlongs at Chester. Having been gelded since, this George Boughey-trained three-year-old—winner of four of six starts—should handle the step up in distance and softer ground conditions.
Primo Lara competes in the 1.37pm Newbury Autumn Cup Handicap over 1 mile 5½ furlongs and comes off three wins in his last four handicap runs. Though untested beyond 1 mile 4 furlongs, the five-year-old trained by Jane Chapple-Hyam looks well suited to this trip and is expected to continue his winning streak.
Sea Scout, trained by Simon and Ed Crisford, is fancied in the 1.55pm Ayr Listed Doonside Cup. This race appears less demanding than the Listed event where he finished fifth recently, and he showed strong form, placing second in a 1m 2f Group 3 at Haydock earlier in the season.
The 2.12pm Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury honors the legendary Ian Balding’s horse Mill Reef, with this year’s race dedicated to Balding himself. Andrew Balding’s filly Jolivette (nap) is a solid contender, having placed third in the fillies-only Lowther Stakes (Group 2) last time. She now faces male rivals but benefits from weight allowances that improve her chances.
In the Ayr Silver Cup Handicap at 2.30pm, Uncle Don is a tentative pick despite a modest career record. This speedy four-year-old may excel back at the shorter 5-furlong trip and returns with jockey Marco Ghiani, who has previously ridden him close to victory.
Balzac, another Jane Chapple-Hyam runner, enters the 2.47pm Newbury Class 2 Handicap coming off a strong second-place finish in a Class 3 at Ascot following a 77-day break during which he was gelded. Ryan Moore now takes the reins, and Balzac looks poised for a big run.
Ruby Moon is the choice for the 3.05pm Ayr Group 3 Firth of Clyde Stakes for juvenile fillies. With promising form including a notable fourth placing in a Newmarket Group 2 earlier this season, plus the stable’s recent history of success, she’s expected to deliver a good performance.
Finally, in the 3.40pm Ayr Gold Cup Heritage Handicap—a fiercely competitive sprint—Volterra is the selection. Although he struggled in a 7-furlong Group 2 at Doncaster last weekend after a long layoff and gelding, dropping back to 6 furlongs should suit this strong-traveling five-year-old, especially on slow ground.
In summary, today’s recommended tips are:
- 1.02pm Newbury – Aspect Island
- 1.20pm Ayr – McMurray
- 1.37pm Newbury – Primo Lara
- 1.55pm Ayr – Sea Scout
- 2.12pm Newbury – Jolivette (nap)
- 2.30pm Ayr – Uncle Don
- 2.47pm Newbury – Balzac
- 3.05pm Ayr – Ruby Moon
- 3.40pm Ayr – Volterra
Saturday September 19 features races across key UK tracks including Newbury, Newmarket, Ayr, Chester, Gowran, and Newcastle, with jumps action at Navan. Free-to-air coverage includes The Opening Show on ITV4 from 9:30-10:30am and live Ayr and Newbury racing on ITV3 between 12:45 and 4:00pm.
Star ratings convey confidence levels—from three stars for fair claims to five stars for confident picks—to help guide betting choices.
Fan Take:
This coverage highlights some of the season’s most thrilling handicaps and up-and-coming horses, offering fans a chance to witness emerging talents and seasoned competitors in prime form. It keeps the spirit of competitive racing alive, fostering excitement and engagement that are vital to the sport’s ongoing popularity.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
