It’s a busy day of action so check out our ITV Racing Lucky 15 tips for Saturday 18th April with selections and best bets coming from Ayr and Newbury.
NINE Races Live On ITV Racing This Saturday From Ayr & Newbury
It’s another busy Saturday for the ITV Racing schedule as racing fans in the UK are treated to NINE free-to-air races with five from Ayr and four from Newbury.
Coverage this Saturday starts with the Scotty Brand Handicap Chase at Ayr which has attracted nine runners.
And the final race on the card will also be from Ayr – and it’s the Scottish Grand National where 21 runners go to post.
For the rest of Saturday’s coverage, Ayr can be watched on Racing TV whilst Newbury will be live on Sky Sports Racing.
See the full Saturday 18th April ITV Racing schedule below.
- 1:10 Ayr – Scotty Brand Handicap Chase (Class 1, 2m 1/2f)
- 1:25 Newbury – Dubai Duty Free Stakes (Fred Darling) (Group 3, 7f)
- 1:45 Ayr – CPMS Novices’ Champion Handicap Chase (Class 2, 3m)
- 2:00 Newbury – Greenham Stakes (Group 3, 7f)
- 2:20 Ayr – Scottish Champion Hurdle (Grade 2, 2m)
- 2:35 Newbury – Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes (John Porter) (Group 3, 1m4f)
- 2:55 Ayr – Seafield Trophy Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 2, 3m 1/2f)
- 3:10 Newbury – Spring Cup Handicap (Class 2, 1m)
- 3:35 Ayr – Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase (Class 2, 4m)
See Andy Newton’s Scottish National tips for the big race at Ayr.
Saturday ITV Racing Lucky 15 Tips – Best Bets At Ayr & Newbury
On a busy day for ITV, I’ve got four selections with two from Ayr and two from Newbury.
With the four picks below, I’ll be playing a WIN Lucky 15 and level-stake singles.
2:00 Newbury – Greenham Stakes (Group 3, 7f): ALBERT EINSTEIN
ALBERT EINSTEIN didn’t fire on his return to action as a three-year-old a few weekends ago at the Curragh but that can be forgiven as it was his first run in 307 days. I think he’ll come on for that and he can take all of the beating here.
He’ll need supplementing for Newmarket next month after he was accidently scratched, but if he wins here then there’s a good chance we will see a shift in the 2000 Guineas betting odds.
He’s a quick horse and that reappearance sixth last time out (beaten just over 4l) shouldn’t be taken at face value. He’ll appreciate this return to good ground and he looks a solid bet.
2:20 Ayr – Scottish Champion Hurdle (Grade 2, 2m): TUTTI QUANTI @ 5/1
After winning two good races at Newbury earlier on in the season, TUTTI QUANTI was supplemented for the Champion Hurdle.
He never showed up at Cheltenham and finished eighth (of 9) behind Lossiemouth. I’m willing to forgive him for that and think he’s well worth backing down in grade here.
The form of his William Hill Hurdle win was well advised recently. He beat Wellington Arch by 15 lengths (further 18l back to 3rd) in a pure demolition job and that horse came out and won a hot handicap at Aintree.
With that strong formline behind him, I also think he’s got a class edge in this field and is easily the best horse. Strong selection.
2:35 Newbury – Surprise Stakes (John Porter) (Group 3, 1m4f): BELLUM JUSTUM @ 11/1
BELLUM JUSTUM looks overpriced to me in the John Porter. It’s a trappy race but I think he can win a contest of this nature and at the prices I think he’s the one to be with.
He was fifth in this race last year but returned to winning ways when taking the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket when seen next.
He did lose his way in higher grade races towards the end of last season but he got gelded in September and I’m hoping it can sharpen him back up again.
Oisin Murphy and Andrew Balding are going better than most trainer/jockey combinations and I think Bellum Justum can spark a revival. Drops in class and can go well.
3:35 Ayr – Scottish Grand National: ISAAC DES OBEAUX @ 9/1
I’m hoping it can be a ‘super Saturday’ up at Ayr for Paul Nicholls as I’m siding with ISAAC DES OBEAUX in the feature race.
The Scottish Grand National trends say that my selection has plenty going for him, so be sure to check them out.
Isaac Des Obeaux definitely stays after bolting up by eight lengths in the Midlands Grand National last time and he hit the line strongly, full of running.
The handicapper raised him 7lbs for that success but I don’t think that will be enough to stop him. He’s ran with credit on all four starts so far this season after having wind surgery and he can continue progressing.
A solid performance here could point him in the direction of the 2027 Grand National so I’m expecting him to go close. It’s worth noting that trainer Paul Nicholls has also won two of the last nine renewals.
That concludes our Saturday Lucky 15 tips for ITV Racing.
Saturday 18th April Lucky 15 Tips For ITV Racing
- 2:00 Newbury – Albert Einstein 3/1
- 2:20 Ayr – Tutti Quanti 5/1
- 2:35 Newbury – Bellum Justum 11/1
- 3:35 Ayr – Isaac Des Obeaux 9/1
Placing a £1 Lucky 15 (total £15) on our selections would return over £5,000 if all four horses win.
Also find Andy Newton’s ITV Racing best bets on Saturday with selections in ALL NINE races.
