- Andy Newton gives his 1-2-3 ITV Racing tips from Haydock, York and Goodwood
- Plus key horse racing stats for all Saturday’s ITV races
- Temple Stakes and Irish 2000 Guineas the big weekend highlights
See Andy Newton’s Saturday ITV Horse Racing tips on 23rd May – including 1-2-3 best bets and key stats for the main races.
This Saturday will see TEN LIVE ITV Racing scheduled races across four tracks – Haydock, York, Goodwood and the Curragh.
At Haydock, the Temple Stakes (3:30pm) is their big highlight as the Ed Walker-trained Mgheera looks to back up last year’s win.
While over in Ireland the Irish 2000 Guineas takes centre as Aidan O’Brien eyes a record-extending 13th win – with the British Guineas runner-up Gstaad his big hope.
Andy Newton’s ITV Horse Racing Tips: Saturday 23rd May 2026
- 1:25 Goodwood – GOODWOOD GALAXY (e/w)
- 1:45 Haydock – SPARKS FLY
- 2:00 Goodwood – SAXON STREET
- 2:20 Haydock – BLUE COURVOISIER (e/w)
- 2:40 York – LETHAL NYMPH (e/w)
- 2:58 Haydock – DIVISION
- 3:15 York – DANIELLE
- 3:30 Haydock – SHAGRAAN
- 3:40 Curragh – GSTAAD
- 4:05 Haydock – POLE STAR
PLUS – you can 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.
And catch Kyle Curran’s Saturday Trixie tips here – with three fancies at Haydock.
Join BetTOM this weekend to claim a £25 free bet, plus take advantage of their BEST ODDS GUARANTEED offer (from 10am) Ts&C’s apply.
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Haydock Saturday ITV Horse Racing Tips: Shagraan To Strike In Temple Stakes
1:45 Haydock – William Hill Epic Boost British EBF Hedge Of Oak Stakes (Listed Race) Cl1 (4yo+) 1m2½f ITV
Friendly Soul would be winning this with ease if back to her best – having last been seen winning the G1 Prix de l’Opera at Longchamp – but that came in October 2024 and needs to bounce back from a 594-day break.
The Ed Bethell yard are not going the best at the mo, so that would raise concerns over recent Musselburgh winner Noche Clasica.
So, a chance is taken on SPARKS FLY to ignite into form.
She’s won 12 of her 22 starts on the turf and returned last time with a fine 4th in the Huxley Stakes at Chester – beaten only 2 lengths by last year’s Derby winner Lambourn.
This David Loughnane runner is also a proven course winner here at Haydock and jockey Laura Pearson knows the horse inside out – having ridden her in 19 of her last 20 races.
🥇SPARKS FLY
🥈Friendly Soul
🥉Noche Clasica
Key Stats 📈
- 9/9 – Aged 4 or 5
- 8/9 – Didn’t win last time out
- 7/9 – Won over 1m2f before
- 6/9 – Finished 4th or worse last time
- 6/9 – 3/1 or shorter
- 6/9 – Ran in the last 4 weeks
- 6/9 – Favourites
- 3/9 – Stall 1
- 3/9 – Ran at Kempton last time
- Note: Was staged at Ayr from 2024
2:20 Haydock – William Hill Silver Bowl Handicap (Heritage Handicap) Cl2 (3yo) 1m ITV
Another race that a lot of horses will have many fans – notably recent winners Princling, Crest Of Fire, Laureate Crown and Lightning Thunder for the Gosden yard who have a fair record in this race.
But another yard that has done well in this contest is Clive Cox – winning 2 of the last 7.
They run LANGSTONE, who is still unexposed with only three runs and heads here into a handicap and up to 1m for the first time on a three timer.
Plus, Cox also has BLUE COURVOISIER in the race and with only 8st 7lbs and Lauren Young’s 5lb claim too this 3yold looks interesting.
He ran Dante winner Item to 3 1/2 lengths at Bath back in September and has returned this season with fair runs at Newmarket (2nd) and Ascot (4th).
The 5th in that last Ascot race – Spirit Of Saxony – also franked the form to win at Kempton on Wednesday night. While the 6th in his Newmarket race – We’re Goosers – has since bolted up to further frank this Cox runners form.
I’ll take Courvoisier to make it a ‘blue’ day for the bookies.
🥇BLUE COURVOISIER (e/w)
🥈Langstone
🥉Lightning Thunder
Key Stats 📈
- 21/22 – Had won between 1-3 times before
- 21/22 – Had raced within the last 4 weeks
- 20/22 – Had won over 7f or 1m before
- 20/22 – Returned 15/2 or shorter in the betting
- 20/22 – Came from the top 3 in the betting
- 18/22 – Winning distance – 2 lengths or less
- 18/22 – Placed last time out
- 17/22 – Carried 9-2 or less
- 15/22 – Drawn in stall 8 or lower
- 14/22 – Favourites that finished in the top 4
- 11/22 – Won last time out
- 8/22 – Winning favourites
- 4/22 – Ran at Newmarket last time out
- 3/22 – Trained by Richard Fahey
- 2/22 – Trained by the Gosden yard (2 of the last 6)
- 2/22 – Trained by Clive Cox (2 of the last 7)
- 2/22 – Trained by the Johnston yard (2 of last 12)
- Roger Varian has trained 2 of the last 5 winners
- David Probert has ridden 3 of the last 15 winners
- The average winning SP in the last 10 years is 13/2
2:58 Haydock – William Hill Sandy Lane Stakes (Group 2) Cl1 (3yo) 6f ITV
After not staying the 1m trip in the 1000 Guineas, then Venetian Sun back to 6f will be a very popular pick to shine.
Oh, and 4 of the last 9 winners came from gate 3 – which Venetian Sun has.
Coppull was a nice winner of the Commonwealth Cup Trial at Ascot last time and is noted too.
But the pick here is for DIVISION to rise up the ranks and overturn that Ascot form (3rd) with Coppull.
This William Haggas runner was only beaten 1/2 a length that day but ran a blinder considering he fluffed the start by rearing out the gates.
While last season he was a fair 5th to Mission Central at Ascot and that form has been bolstered since with that O’Brien horse winning twice at Naas.
Of the rest, FIVE WAYS I think is overpriced too – as he likely needed the run the last day and before that was 4th in the G1 Middle Park.
I’ll probably be following Five Ways off a cliff this season, till he wins!
🥇DIVISION
🥈Five Ways
🥉Venetian Sun
Key Stats 📈
- 19/20 – Returned 8/1 or shorter in the betting
- 19/20 – Raced in the last 7 weeks
- 18/20 – Had won over 6f before
- 16/20 – Finished in the top 3 last time out
- 16/20 – Returned 5/1 or shorter in the betting
- 14/20 – From stall 5 or higher
- 14/20 – Had won between 1-3 times before
- 10/20 – Winning favourites
- 6/20 – Came from stall 8 or 9
- 4/20 – Raced at Newbury last time out
- 2/20 – Raced at York last time
- 2/20 – Trained by William Haggas
- 2/20 – Trained by Karl Burke (2 of the last 8)
- 10 of the last 12 winners came from stalls 9 or lower
- 4 of the last 9 winners from stalls 3
- The average winning SP in the last 9 years is 13/2
- Trainer William Haggas won the race in 2009 and 2015
- Kevin Ryan won the race in 2019 and 2024
3:30 Haydock – William Hill Temple Stakes (Group 2) Cl1 (3yo+) 5f ITV
The sprint wheel of madness is back in action here – with this division throwing up different winners month after month.
Therefore, I certainly wouldn’t put you off anything!
Last year’s winner Mgheera is back for more – having run in the same prep race at Longchamp as she did before taking this 12 months ago.
Jackajaro was a good winner of a York Handicap last time, but is 0-10 in Listed or Group company.
While Jm Jungle often runs well here at Haydock and returned with a fair 4th in the Palace House Stakes.
But we’ve also the winner and third in the this year’s Palace House Stakes – Night Raider and SHAGRAAN.
The former was winning for the first time on the turf (from 11) and that was his first run since being gelded so could progress on the grass now he’s ‘lighter’!
However, I’ll take a chance on the consistent Shagraan, who has 3 lengths to find with Night Raider but should improve for that last run (first since Oct).
He’s also 1-3 in recent runs at Haydock and the Cox team have a good record in the Temple Stakes – with 3 wins in the last 10.
🥇SHAGRAAN
🥈Mgheera
🥉Night Raider
Key Stats 📈
- 22/23 – Trained in the UK
- 21/23 – Had won over 5f before
- 20/23 – Won by a horse aged 5 or younger
- 15/23 – Placed third or better last time out
- 15/23 – Raced within the last 2 months
- 14/23 – Favourites that were placed
- 14/23 – Had won a Group race before
- 10/23 – Raced at Newmarket last time out
- 9/23 – Winning favourites
- 6/23 – Won their latest race
- 2/23 – Owned by Qatar Racing (2 of last 11 runnings)
- 3/23 – Trained by Clive Cox (3 of last 10 runnings)
- 2/23 – Trained by Charles Hills (2 of the last 7 runnings)
- 2/23 – Trained by Henry Candy
- 2/23 – Ridden by Ryan Moore
- The average winning SP in the last 20 years is 6/1
- 4 of the last 8 winners came from stalls 2 or 6 (2 each)
- 10 of the last 16 winners came from stalls 6 or lower
- Just 3 of the last 21 winners aged 3
🇬🇧 Palace House Stakes @NewmarketRace
Newmarket – Groupe 3 – 3 ans et plus – 1005m – 14 Pts – 98 451 £🏆Night Raider (h5) (Ire) 🏇James Doyle
📖(Dark Angel (Ire) @YeomanstownStud – Dorraar (Ire) par Shamardal (Usa))🕶️K R Burke @karl_burke
🎩Wathnan… pic.twitter.com/DMavVhzmaf— French and International Horse Racing (@Vincenzo0612) May 2, 2026
4:05 Haydock – William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Cl2 (4yo 0-100) 2m ITV
Yet another tricky race to unravel but with Blazeon Five, Hermetic and the consistent Humble Spark all shortlisted.
While I think the George Scott runner PRYDWEN, with Oisin Murphy booked to ride catches the eye too.
He was a nice winner at Ripon two runs ago over 1m4f and certainly wasn’t disgraced in a G2 in Germany over 2m last time (2 3/4 lengths).
But it’s also hard to get away from the Charlie Johnston runner POLE STAR here – after two fair runs since being gelded.
However, the key to him could be the return to Haydock – where he’s 2-from-3 at this venue and also only 2lbs higher than his last win, which came at Yarmouth in July 25.
🥇POLE STAR
🥈Prydwen
🥉Blazeon Five
Key Stats 📈
- 11/11 – Didn’t win last time out
- 11/11 – Returned 10/1 or shorter in the betting
- 10/11 – Winners aged 4 or 5
- 10/11 – Had raced in the last 5 weeks
- 9/11 – Came from stalls 2-8 (inc)
- 9/11 – Winners carried 8-13 or more
- 9/11 – Winning distance 2 lengths or less
- 9/11 – Rated between 89-98
- 9/11 – Finished in the top 6 last time out
- 6/11 – Unplaced favourites
- 2/11 – Trained by the Johnston yard
- 4/11 – Winning favourites (joint)
- 8 of the last 9 winners came from stalls 8 or lower
- Trainers George Scott, Harry Eustace, John Quinn, William Haggas, Mark Johnston (2), Tim Easterby, Brian Ellison, Lucy Wadham & Andrew Balding were previous winners of the race
Goodwood Horse Racing Tips: All Roads Lead To Saxon Street
Goodwood Races
1:25 Goodwood – Fitzdares Harroways Handicap Cl2 (3yo) 7f ITV
A very open race with a lot sure to be popular, including the hat-trick-seeking Startled, plus Reciprocated and Wechaad.
But a chance is take on the David Menuiser runner GOODWOOD GALAXY (e/w).
He would have needed his return run at Sandown last month – but that also came over a mile and has shown slightly better form at 7f, which he’s over today.
Dropped 3lbs for that run too and don’t forget he ran 4th in the G2 Vintage Stakes here last season (see below) – beaten only 2 1/4 lengths to Zavateri.
Add in that the yard also boast a 24% SR with their 3yolds here, then that gives us a bit more hope to cling to.
Galaxy looks way overpriced to me and could just be a ‘rocket’ of a bet here.
🥇GOODWOOD GALAXY (e/w)
🥈Wechaad
🥉Startled
Key Stats 📈
- 12/12 – Carried 9-0 or less in weight
- 11/12 – Placed in the top 3 last time out
- 10/12 – Raced in the last 3 weeks
- 10/12 – Came from stalls 2-6 (inc)
- 10/12 – returned between 9/2 to 12/1
- 7/12 – carried between 8-0 and 8-6
- 7/12 – Won just once before
- 6/12 – Winners from stall 2 or 3
- 4/12 – Winners from stall 3
- 3/12 – Rated between 77-81
- 3/12 – Trained by the Johnston yard
- 2/12 – Trained by Richard Hannon
- 2/12 – Winning favourites (none in last 6)
- 8 of the last 10 winners between stalls 2-6 (inc)
- Emma Lavelle, David O’Meara, William Haggas, Richard Hannon (2), Johnston (3), Andrew Balding, William Muir, Ralph Beckett and Mick Channon are the past winning yards
- The average SP in the last 9 runnings is 8/1
2:00 Goodwood – British Stallion Studs EBF Cocked Hat Stakes (Listed Race) Cl1 (3yo) 1m3f ITV
This looks a bit of a three-horse battle, with Golden Story and Del Maro both running fair races at Chester last time.
But despite having to give 3lbs away, the Gosden runner SAXON STREET might still be hard to beat.
I was impressed with is win at Epsom in the Blue Ribband Trial last month – winning by 2 1/2 lengths.
And the 3rd that day Balzac has since some out to run well (3rd) in the Lingfield Derby Trial behind Derby fancy Maltese Cross.
So all ‘roads’ point to Derby entry (20/1) Saxon Street here to remain unbeaten
🥇SAXON STREET
🥈Golden Story
🥉Del Maro
Key Stats 📈
- 9/10 – Stalls 3-7
- 9/10 – Won between 1-3 times
- 9/10 – Ran in the last 4 weeks
- 9/10 – Top 3 finish last time out
- 8/10 – 7/2 or shorter
- 7/10 – Won over 1m2f before
- 5/10 – Won last time out
- 4/10 – Had won at Goodwood before
- 3/10 – Won by the Gosden yard
- 3/10 – Favourites
York Horse Racing Tips: Nymph Could Be ‘Lethal’ In Competitive Handicap
York Races
2:40 York – William Hill Extra Place Races Daily Handicap Cl2 (3yo+ 0-105) 5f ITV
Fortification landed a touch for readers last week at York – winning at 40/1 – when coming with a top late run to get up.
With that only his third career run on the grass there could be a lot more to come from this Brian Ellison runner, who is up 5lbs.
The old boy Spoof was 4th in this race in 2024 and is noted as that came off 90 and is now rated only 78 – has only 8-9 to carry and heads here having won last time out at Donny.
But at a price, a chance is taken on the Paul Midgley runner LETHAL NYMPH (e/w) – who was 2nd in this race in 2024 and is back 2lbs lower.
He ran a blinder last time to be 4th to Jakajaro, who goes in the Temple Stakes at Haydock – beaten only three lengths.
Yes, this 5f trip might be a tad on the sharp side these days, but based on his last nine runs, he’s never too far away in his races.
So, at a price, Lethal Nymph is the e/w call in yet another race with stacks of chances.
🥇LETHAL NYMPH (e/w)
🥈Fortification
🥉Spoof
Key Stats 📈
- 9/11 – Aged 5 or younger
- 8/11 – Winning distance ¾ length or less
- 8/11 – Raced in the last 3 weeks
- 8/11 – Didn’t win last time out
- 6/11 – Drawn in stalls 5-9 (inc)
- 4/11 – Aged 3 or 4 years-old
- 3/11 – Ridden by a claiming jockey
- 3/11 – Returned between 5/1 and 9/1 in the betting
- 3/11 – Winning favourites
- 2/11 – Aged 4 years-old
- The average SP in the last 9 runnings is 13/1
3:15 York – William Hill Bronte Cup Fillies’ Stakes (Group 3) Cl1 (4yo+) 1m6f ITV
Will the ground be soft enough for DANIELLE?
I’m not so sure – but her class might see her through still in what doesn’t look the best of renewals.
She still brings the best form into the race – notably when winning the Listed Gillies Stakes at Doncaster last November by 9 lengths.
Yes, both her career wins have been with give in the ground, but she’s still run well on faster surfaces – including when 3rd in the Lingfield Oaks Trial in 2024 on good.
Of the rest, if the Gosden horse does get found out by the underfoot conditions, then Miss Alpilles and Lava Steam look the most likely to take advantage.
🥇DANIELLE
🥈Miss Alpilles
🥉Lava Stream
Key Stats 📈
- Just 7 previous runnings
- 7/7 – Aged 4 or 5 years-old
- 7/7 – Drawn in stalls 5 or lower
- 7/7 – Returned 10/1 or shorter in the betting
- 2/7- Winning favourites
- Trainers Ed Walker, Ralph Beckett, Andrew Balding, Roger Varian, John Gosden and William Haggas have won the race in the past
Curragh Horse Racing Tips: Gstaad To Give O’Brien 13th Irish 2000 Guineas
3:40 Curragh – Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas (Group 1) (3yo) 1m ITV
English 2000 Guineas 3rd Distant Storm will be looking to go one better here, but it will be a shock if he can overturn the second in that Newmarket race – GSTAAD.
This Aidan O’Brien runner was still 8 lengths ahead of the Godolphin horse when the pair saw the back of Bow Echo at HQ earlier this month.
The Irish 2000 Guineas has also seen the English Guineas runner-up win this Curragh Classic for the last two seasons (Field Of Gold and Rosallion) and so more of the same looks on the cards.
With 3 of the last 7 winners also hailing from stall 1, then Thesecretadversary has this decent stat in his corner.
While Greenham winner Alparslan, who has won here at the Curragh before too, could certainly have more to offer.
But really it will be a shock if Gstaad isn’t giving O’Brien a 13th win in the Irish 2000 Guineas.
🥇GSTAAD
🥈Thesecretadversary
🥉Alparslan
Key Stats 📈
- 22/24 – Had run within the last 4 weeks
- 20/24 – Had won over either 7f or 1m before
- 19/24 – Had won between 1-4 times before
- 18/24 – Favourites that finished in the top two
- 18/24 – Returned 5/1 or shorter in the betting
- 18/24 – Came from the top 3 in the betting
- 17/24 – Ran at Newmarket last time out
- 16/24 – Drawn in stall 4 or lower
- 16/24 – Irish bred
- 15/24 – Had run at the Curragh before
- 15/24 – Winning distance – 2 lengths or less
- 12/24 – Winning favourites
- 11/24 – Had won a Group 1 race before
- 11/24 – Trained by a UK-based stable
- 9/24 – Unplaced last time out
- 9/24 – Trained by Aidan O’Brien (12 wins in total)
- 9/24 – Won last time out
- 5/24 – Won the 2,000 Guineas (Newmarket) that season
- 4 of the last 12 winners came from stall 1
- 11 of the last 13 winners came from stalls 6 or lower
- The average winning SP in the last 24 years is 4/1
- Rock of Gibraltar (2002), Cockney Rebel (2007), Henrythenavigator (2008), Gleneagles (2015) & Churchill (2017) – all did the English/Irish 2,000 Guineas double
