See Andy Newton’s Saturday ITV Horse Racing tips on 16th May – including 1-2-3 best bets and key stats for the main races.
Hot on the heels of the midweek York Dante Meeting, there are SEVEN more LIVE ITV Racing scheduled races on Saturday from Newbury and Newmarket.
With the Group One Lockinge Stakes the big highlight and a must-see clash between Zeus Olympios, Notable Speech and Damysus.
Fortication (1st 40/1) and Love a Giggle (1st 9/1) were top winners for Andy in his York tips on Friday.
Andy Newton’s ITV Horse Racing Tips: Saturday 16th May 2026
- 1:25 Newbury – KALPANA
- 1:42 Newmarket – STERLING KNIGHT (e/w)
- 2:00 Newbury – SACRED GROUND
- 2:35 Newbury – ZEUS OLYMPIOS
- 2:50 Newmarket – SILVER GHOST (e/w)
- 3:10 Newbury – ROYAL FIXATION
- 3:45 Newbury – SAHARA KING (e/w)
PLUS – also catch me this week (and every week) on the popular FINAL FURLONG PODCAST, with host Emmet Kennedy as we look at the best of the weekend action.
Newbury Saturday ITV Horse Racing Tips: Zeus Olympios To Be Lockinge King
1:25 Newbury – Sky Sports Racing Aston Park Stakes (Group 3) Cl1 (4yo+) 1m4f ITV
With only five runners here it’s hard to see past the Andrew Balding classy mare KALPANA.
Yes, she’s back from a 210-day break so fitness has to be taken on trust, but she was a facile winner of the G1 Fillies and Mares on Champions Day at Ascot last time and you feel even 80% of that effort will be good enough here.
Especially as also dropped into a Group 3 here. In short, if you are looking to take on Kalpana, and many will want to – it’s just hard to make strong, strong cases for any of the others.
That said, West Wind Blows is actually 1lb well-in with Kalpana on the revised terms and ran the classy Calandagan to 3/4 of a length in the Sheema Classic.
But he’s also a hard horse to catch right with only 1 win in 12 and seemed a bit flattered to get that close to the French-trained horse, with the winner eased up.
So, Great Voltigeur third Arabian Force and Royal Ascot scorer from last season French Master are taken to do best of the rest and can follow home Kalpana.
🥇KALPANA
🥈Arabian Force
🥉French Master
Key Stats 📈
- 20/22 – Returned 7/1 or shorter in the betting
- 18/22 – Came from the top 3 in the betting
- 18/22 – Won over at least 1m4f
- 17/22 – Had won at Listed or Group class
- 17/22 – Drawn 5 or lower
- 14/22 – Raced at Newbury
- 13/22 – Placed favourites
- 13/22 – Had raced within the last 7 weeks
- 13/22 – Won between 1-3 times
- 12/22 – Irish bred
- 11/22 – Aged 4 years-old
- 7/22 – Winning favourites
- 4/22 – Ran at Newmarket last time out
- 5/22 – Won last time out
- 3/22 – Ridden by Ryan Moore
- 2/22 – Trained by William Haggas (2 of the last 5)
- 3 of the last 17 winners were Godolphin-owned
- Oisin Murphy has ridden the last 2 winners
2:00 Newbury – Childwickbury Stud Fillies’ Trial Stakes (Listed Race) Cl1 (3yo) 1m2f ITV
The Royal runner Golden Orbit will be popular after nice win on debut (7f) and the second Ottoman Empress has franked the form to win since.
And we’ve seen a few winners from the King this week too.
She’s 25/1 in the Epsom Oaks betting odds market and breeding (Sea The Stars) suggests the longer trip today will be a plus.
But I think SACRED GROUND will be a tough opponent – having pulled the last day at Newmarket but still finished well to be second in the Listed Pretty Polly Stakes.
Of course, she’ll need to settle better this time but could have just been lit up a bit with that being her first run since November.
William Buick rides again.
While of those at longer odds – the William Haggas entry FRACTIONAL could be over-priced.
This Frankel mare is another that could improve for the longer trip having run over 7f and 1m so far.
She was also only 3 1/2 behind the already mentioned Ottoman Empress at Yarmouth last time – so has form tied in, albeit with ground to make up, with Golden Orbit – who beat that same horse on debut.
But it’s interesting the Haggas team, who have a 25% SR with their 3yolds here, are pitching her in at this level.
So I’d not be shocked to see Fractional put up some better numbers today.
🥇SACRED GROUND
🥈Fractional
🥉Golden Orbit
Key Stats 📈
- 9/9 – Top 3 finish last time out
- 8/9 – Raced in the last 4 weeks
- 7/9 – Returned 7/2 or shorter
- 7/9 – Placed favourites
- 6/9 – Between stalls 4-7
- 6/9 – Won over 1m
- 5/9 – Irish Bred
- 5/9 – Won over 1m
- 4/9 – Won last time out
- 2/9 – Favourites
- 2/9 – Ridden by Ryan Moore
2:35 Newbury – Boyle Sports Lockinge Stakes (Group 1) Cl1 (4yo+) 1m ITV
Dancing Gemini was a close 2nd in this last season and could outrun his odds at 20/1 – as he does seem to like Newbury (1-2 here).
One time Derby fancy The Lion In Winter finally won again last time at Leopardstown, but that was only a Listed race and is still just 1-from-9 in his recent outings.
But much of the focus here will be around the top three in the market – Damysus, Notable Speech and Zeus Olympios.
Of these, Damysus has won his last three and is respected, but I’m not convinced about the drop back in trip (first try 1m).
While the form of that last run doesn’t look super-strong to me – with King’s Gambit well back in the Huxley next time. Gosden will be looking for a 6th Lockinge with him.
Notable Speech is the top-rated and a four-time G1 winner, but was only 4th in this last year and the form of the Charlie Appleby yard is the worry.
So that leaves ZEUS OLYMPIOS as the main pick – to give trainer Karl Burke his first Lockinge.
He had a fantastic season last term with four wins and wasn’t disgraced on his first run back, when 3rd at Sandown in the bet365 Mile.
It looked like he just needed that run, so will strip fitter here and Clifford Lee, who is 3-from-3 on the horse, is back in the plate.
Of the others, I’d not be shocked to see MORE THUNDER run well too.
He won first time out last season, plus is a course winner here at Newbury when landing the Hungerford Stakes last August impressively.
Haggas won this in 2022 with Baaeed and his 5yold only has 3lbs to find with Zeus.
🥇ZEUS OLYMPIOS
🥈More Thunder
🥉Damysus
Key Stats 📈
- 21/22 – Won over a mile before
- 17/22 – Came from the top 3 in the betting
- 17/22 – Drawn between stalls 3-7 (inc)
- 16/22 – 4/1 or shorter in the betting
- 16/22 – Had won a Group One race
- 16/22 – Aged 4 years-old
- 15/22 – Won at least 4 times
- 14/22 – Favourites
- 12/22 – Having their first run of the season
- 12/22 – Unplaced last time out
- 6/22 – Godolphin owned (9 in total)
- 5/22 – Ran at Newmarket last time out
- 4/22 – Won by the Richard Hannon yard (Has won the race 5 times in all)
- 4/22 – Won by a mare
- 4/22 – Won by a Cheveley Park stud-owned horse (won it 5 times in all)
- 4/22 – Trained by John Gosden (5 in total and last 2)
- 1/22 – Winners from stall 1 or 2
- 5 of the last 8 winners from stalls 3 (2) or 5 (3)
3:10 Newbury – Highclere Castle Gin Carnarvon Stakes (Listed Race) Cl1 (3yo) 6f ITV
Last season’s Middle Park winner Wise Approach is the top-rated here (115) and will be fitter for a recent 5th in the Commonwealth Cup Trial at Ascot.
Charlie Appleby has also won 2 of the last 5, but the form of their yard is the question mark for me.
Albert Einstein will be popular back in trip after seemingly not seeing out 7f the last twice. He’s 2-2 over 6f and looks likes he’s now being aimed at the sprinting trips.
Aidan O’Brien has never won this race – but, in his defence, I’m not sure now many runners he’s had.
So the call is to side with last season’s Lowther winner ROYAL FIXATION, who was last seen running third in the Cheveley Park.
That form has been boosted since with the winner True Love landing the 1000 Guineas and see also gets the fillies’ allowance here.
Meaning this Karl Burke runner gets 10lbs off Wise Approach and 5lbs off Albert Einstein.
Burke won this in 2024 too with Elite Status and on what will be her first run for the yard (former Ed Walker) can collect in the Carnarvon again.
🥇ROYAL FIXATION
🥈Albert Einstein
🥉Wise Approach
Key Stats 📈
- 19/21 – Had won over 6f before
- 18/21 – Drawn in stall 5 or lower
- 17/21 – Between 1-3 previous wins
- 16/21 – Raced in the last 5 weeks
- 15/21 – 9/2 or shorter in the betting
- 15/21 – Favourites that finished in the top 3
- 13/21 – Placed 1st or 2nd last time out
- 9/21 – Raced at Newmarket last time out
- 7/21 – Favourites
- 6/21 – Won last time out
- 3/21 – Drawn in stall 3
- 3/21 – Trained by Richard Hannon
- 2/21 – Trained by William Haggas (2 of the last 11)
- 9 of the last 12 winners came from stalls 2-5 (inc)
- Charlie Appleby has won 2 of the last 5
- 5 of the last 6 winners from stalls 2 (3) or 5 (2)
3:45 Newbury – Trade Nation London Gold Cup Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race) Cl2 (3yo) 1m2f ITV
Port Of Spain will be popular for Aidan O’Brien eased in grade to a handicap and with Ryan Moore booked. But as a result does have to give a fair bit of weight away to some possible improvers.
My Love Is King has been second the last twice at Newmarket and Newbury, with the form of that Newbury run bolstered with the winner Maltese Cross winning the Derby Trial at Linfield last weekend.
Al Azd is a player too as he comes from the Roger Varian yard that have a good record in this race – winning the pot last year and twice in the last eight.
He won well at Doncaster last time and is up 7lbs for that.
But a chance is taken on SAHARA KING, who seems to be going the right way after an improved second at HQ last time.
That came over today’s 1m2f trip and despite doing down by 3 3/4 lengths pulled clear of the third.
Before that he’s another that has form linked in with Maltese Cross – when 5th and only beaten a length to that Haggas runner at here at Newbury last month.
My Love Is King was 2nd, but the Hannon-trained Sahara King is a pound better this time and has run well again since.
🥇SAHARA KING (e/w)
🥈Al Azd
🥉My Love Is King
Key Stats 📈
- 21/22 – Won between 1-2 times
- 19/22 – Finished in the top 3 last time out
- 19/22 – Carried 8-10 or more
- 17/22 – Had raced within the last 5 weeks
- 16/22 – Winners from stall 8 or lower
- 16/22 – Returned 7/1 or shorter in the betting
- 15/22 – Rated 90 or lower
- 13/22 – Came from the top 3 in the betting
- 9/22 – Won last time out
- 9/22 – Had won over 1m2f
- 9/22 – Irish bred
- 8/22 – Raced at Newbury before (3 won here)
- 8/22 – Winning favourites
- 5/22 – Trained by the Charlton stable
- 4/22 – Ridden by Ryan Moore (4 of the last 11)
- 3/22 – Trained by Mark Johnston
- Roger Varian has won 2 of the last 8
Newmarket Saturday ITV Horse Racing Tips: Two Big Handicaps To Unravel
Newmarket racecourse
1:42 Newmarket – Daily Profit Boosts At BetMGM Handicap Cl4 (4yo+ 0-85) 1m ITV
The Fitri Hay colours had a good time of it at the York Dante Festival in midweek and they could carry that on here with the likely favourite Twisting Physics, who will be better for a recent 6th at Newbury.
However, at slightly better value I think the Ed Dunlop runner STERLING KNIGHT is interesting here.
This 7yold was second on this card last season in the day’s other ITV race at 2:50pm and is back rated a pound lower.
He comes here off a good third (of 13) over this CD earlier this month so looks to be running into form and is also eased in grade.
Having run in Class 2 and 3 races in his last 34 races he’s eased into a Class 4 and the last time he ventured this low – he won.
Cieren Fallon rides and the last time Sterling Knight won, he was also on his back.
Of the rest, I think the consistent Helm Rock is another that should be in the mix.
🥇STERLING KNIGHT (e/w)
🥈Twisting Physics
🥉Helm Rock
Key Stats 📈
- 12/12 – Won over 1m (or further)
- 11/12 – Carried 8-10 or more
10/12 – 15/2 or shorter in the betting - 10/12 – Unplaced last time out
- 10/12 – Aged 4 or 5 years-old
- 9/12 – Didn’t win last time out
- 9/12 – Drawn 7 or lower
- 8/12 – Won between 1-3 times
- 8/12 – Raced in the last 4 weeks
- 7/12 – Rated between 80-89
- 7/12 – Had run at Newmarket before (Rowley)
- 6/12 – Unplaced last time out
- 3/12– Ridden by a claiming jockey
- 2/12 – Trained by Saeed Bin Suroor
- 2/12– Favourites
2:50 Newmarket – Read Meg Nicholls’ Blog At betmgm.co.uk Handicap Cl3 (4yo+ 0-95) 7f ITV
Golden Redemption will draw the eye here after a string of placed runs – including a decent second over this CD last time out.
However, is up another 2lbs this time.
Forty Years and Son are others with consistent profiles
The market will guide us to the chances of Shah, who is back from 585 days away – but is represented by the 2000 Guineas heroes of Billy Loughnane and George Boughey.
However, a chance is taken on the Emma Lavelle runner SILVER GHOST.
This 4yold was third over this trip last time and is dropped a pound from that effort too.
Is also a CD winner, when landing a C4 Handicap here last May and despite being 10lbs higher I think she’s progressed since.
Backed up by winning off 87 (only 4lbs lower than today) by 2 1/2 lengths at Goodwood in late May.
While, of the rest, Dark Tornado won this in 2025 and is back rated just 4lbs higher, so could be a bit over-priced at 33/1.
But I’ll take Silver Ghost to scare off her rivals here.
🥇SILVER GHOST (e/w)
🥈Golden Redemption
🥉Dark Tornado
Key Stats 📈
- 9/9 – Won over at least 7f
- 9/9 – Carried 8-12 or more in weight
- 8/9 – Placed favourites
- 8/9 – Won 2+ times before
- 8/9 – Drawn between stalls 1-7 (inc)
- 7/9 – Aged 4 or 6 years old
- 6/9 – Didn’t win last time out
- 6/9 – Rated between 85-91
- 4/9 – Raced at Newmarket (Rowley)
- 2/9 – Trained by William Haggas (2 of the last 5)
- 2/9 – Ridden by William Buick
- 2/9 – Favourites
- Dark Tornado won the race last season
