Saturday brings a bumper nine-race ITV Racing broadcast headlined by the Group 1 Sprint Cup (3.35) and ably supported by an engrossing undercard featuring The Old Borough Cup (2.25) and Kempton’s Group 3 September Stakes (2.35).
Our best bets include selections in each of those contests plus a Kieran Burke runner that’s turned inside out since being consistently campaigned at what appears to be his ideal trip.
ITV Racing Tips – Saturday September 7
2.25 Haydock – Divine Comedy to win @ 6/1
2.35 Kempton – Hamish to win @ 15/8
3.15 Kempton – Whitcombe Rockstar @ 7/1
3.35 Haydock – Bucanero Fuerte to win (each-way) @ 12/1
Bet on the latest horse racing odds at Betzone
Eustace stayer is several lbs better at Haydock
DIVINE COMEDY splits Ebor Handicap third and fourth Oneforthegutter and Epic Poet at the top of the betting for the Old Borough Cup at the time of writing.
One glance at his form shows precisely why Harry Eustace may have considered swerving the riches of the York race for this prestigious handicap with his six-year-old.
The son of Le Havre bolted up on both his previous runs at Haydock, winning by five-and-a -half-lengths at this level (Class 2) over 2m on soft ground at the track back in May and bolting up over the Old Borough Cup course and distance by 10 lengths on good-to-firm last term.
As such he can be trusted to run well no matter which was the ground (currently good-to-soft) goes and should relish the trip having won three of his five tries at 1m6f.
Tip: 2.25 Haydock – Divine Comedy to win @ 6/1
Haggas gelding far enough clear to forgive last run
There will some punters keen to take on William Haggas’ HAMISH given he finished 15-and-a-half-lengths behind Giavellotto in a Newmarket Group 3 last time out since which no explanation has been forthcoming to explain that uncharacteristically poor showing.
However, at a price of 15/8 it’s worth forgiving that one run considering he’s 9lbs clear of the field on official ratings, had been second in a Group 1 on his previous start and won a Group 3 the time before that.
Tip: 2.35 Kempton – Hamish to win @ 15/8
Mile can continue to prove the making of Whitcombe Rockstar
It would be supremely fitting if WHITCOMBE ROCKSTAR were to take the Unibet London Mile Series Final Handicap (3.15) such has been his blossoming since being switched back to this trip.
Keiran Burke’s five-year-old was campaigned from distances of 1m2f up to 1m6f in 2023, but has climbed 19lbs in the handicap this term since reverting to a mile thanks to four wins in five runs.
Three of those wins came at Kempton on the standard-to-slow surface he’s expected to get here. Any fears that the handicapper may have his measure are assuaged by the fact that Plantadream (a neck second to him last time) was a short head second at Class 3 level on his next run.
Tip: 3.15 Kempton – Whitcombe Rockstar @ 7/1
Irish raider can start making up for lost time in Sprint Cup
Three year olds are sure to play a big part in this year’s Sprint Cup (3.35) with seven of the 16 declarations at the 48-hour stage representing the Classic generation, including likely market leader Inisherin and second-favourite Elite Status.
However, another three-year-old that appeals at the prices is BUCANERO FUERTE, who remains seven lbs clear of the field on official ratings yet can be backed at double-figure odds.
Much the best of those of his age group in this race during their juvenile campaign he seemed set to take high rank among the sprint division this term when beating the opposing Givemethebeatboys and My Mate Alfie in a Naas Group 3 on his return to action.
Forced to swerve the Commonwealth Stakes won by Inisherin having succumbed to travel sickness on the way to Royal Ascot, he can go close at a decent price having been given ample time to overcome that setback.
Tip: 3.35 Haydock – Bucanero Fuerte to win (each-way) @ 12/1
