ITV Saturday Preview - 08/06/2019

The opening race on our screens on saturday is the first live race from Beverley in ITV's history, which is the Dadie Oughtred Memorial Handicap over just shy of a mile.

Rebecca Bastiman's Elerfaan is a course and distance winner of a novice event in 2018, and finished a convincing close second at Chester last time out.

The form has been boosted from that contest with Gossiping bolting up at Epsom, so this five-year-old gelding should be seen to good effect here.

Even a 3lb rise still sees him better treated than others.

The first race of the day at Haydock is the Class 3 Heed Your Hunch Handicap over 1 mile 3 1/2 furlongs and we have gone for the Sir Michael Stoute trained Alhaazm.

This three year old colt looks to have a great chance if being much more comfortable after coming back for his seasonal reappearance where he finished a good second at Newbury.

That was also his handicap debut and had seemed to have matured over the winter break, this looks tougher today but he is bred to continue improving.

Rose Of Kildare is clearly the most experience filly in this line-up, and will look to make use of all her previous experience in the Hilary Needler Trophy Fillies Conditions Stakes over five furlongs.

Second on debut at Brighton in April, in the month of May she finished a decent fourth in better company at the Roodee, before two quick-fire victories at Redcar and Hamilton latest at short odds.

Most of these come off the back of one win from one start, but this two-year-old has every chance of landing the hat-trick under Franny Norton.

Jack's Point made a promising return to the racecourse setting at Goodwood, on what was his first start since a gelding operation, and looks a player in the July Course opener - the Bentley Cambridge Handicap.

His second to Beat Le Bon looks useful given his SP, and a 2lb rise certainly looks fair for that effort.

After victory in a Novice event in September at Chelmsford, he just lost his way a touch when venturing to France and Chantilly - but his third in Listed company at Deauville did make for good reading beforehand.

Last but one at Newmarket on return prompted the trainer to make a decision, and he might be much better for it now.

The Fillies feature of the day at Haydock is the Group 3 Pinnacle Stakes and in this hot contest we have sided with the favourite True Self who goes for Willie Mullins.

You have to take notice when Mullins has a flat horse and also when he brings them over to England and this mare looks a really smart middle distance runner.

She is unbeaten in her last four races with three of them coming in Listed company and one of them was a really smart performance at Newmarket.This Group 3 is certainly with in her grasp but she will have to be at her best in a strong field of runners.

A seventeen-strong field go for the Bernard Sunley Memorial Handicap over 1m6f, and we have narrowed it down to What A Welcome and Speedo Boy.

Patrick Chamings runner has been a huge improver in the last twelve months, with a record of 8-11 in handicaps, and 8-10 before this season actually started.

Loves Ascot, but Haydock represents a new challenge in a different direction, and we are hopeful this son of Nathaniel can better his close second from Goodwood last time out.

A real fan favourite, whereas Speedo Boy brings form from both the flat and over jumps to the setting.

This five-year-old has had several good efforts in handicaps in the last year, which suggests he is capable of being on the premises.

Ground probably got the better of him last time at Chester, and should learn to get a bit more prominent this time to not suffer from the kickback.

Both have very good chances.

The more it rains, the better for our next selection at Haydock in the Listed Achilles Stakes over five furlongs as we have gone for the Michael Dods trained Intense Romance.

This five year old mare loves the rain winning two Listed events last season on soft/heavy ground and has to be on the shortlist with the current conditions and forecast on the way.

Her seasonal debut was nothing special at Naas on firmer ground than she normally likes but now hopefully race fit she can get back to her best.

The penultimate race on ITV looks a cracker, and could have a strong say on some of the juvenile markets at Royal Ascot.

It's the Trucking By Brian Yeardley Two Year Old Trophy Conditions Stakes over five furlongs for the colts, and Oh Purple Reign can make good use of his second at Epsom last weekend for Richard Hannon.

A winner on debut at Nottingham - dispatching a very short price favourite, this two-year-old came home a strong second to Pinatubo at Epsom in the Woodcote.

Back out again quickly, should certainly be in the firing line if retaining his fitness.

The final race on ITV on Saturday is the Group Three John Of Gaunt Stakes, and we have gone for the William Haggas trained Mankib to land the highlight event.

This contest over seven furlongs sees a strong field of runners but Mankib is a very progressive five year old, who's highlight last year was a Listed win at Newbury on good to soft ground.

He should be able to handle the track conditions and made a decent return this season when second over course and distance in the Listed Spring Trophy.

He will have to reverse some form from that run but should be much fitter and holds a strong chance.