Check out our free horse racing selections and preview for today's action
Check out our free horse racing selections and preview for today's action

Free horse racing selections for Saturday September 22


Anita Chambers looks ahead to another busy Saturday and highlights her thoughts on the pick of the action from Ayr, Newbury and elsewhere.

Nap: Hit The Bid (3.30 Newbury)

Next Best: True Mason (2.55 Newbury)


Darren Bunyan's decision to pitch Hit The Bid quickly back into action can pay dividends in the Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes at Newbury.

The four-year-old is turning out six days after being beaten just over a length when fourth in the Group One Flying Five at the Curragh, when the good to yielding ground probably scuppered his chance of victory as he just failed to last home.

Quicker ground appears likely at Newbury at this stage, with the drop back down to Group Three company from the top level also a definite factor in this Exceed And Excel colt's favour.

While this is a quick turnaround, Hit The Bid will only be having his third run of the European season here and the conditions of the race put him a better position than some of his key rivals.

True Mason was ultimately well beaten in the Prix Morny last time, but compensations awaits in the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes.

Pretty Pollyanna and Signora Cabello made good use of the fillies' allowance to put Karl Burke's charge firmly in his place in third, but it was still a fine effort and a repeat of that performance should put him firmly in the mix.

Young Rascal disappointed in the Derby on his latest start back in June, so it will be interesting to see how he fares in the Dubai Duty Free Legacy Cup Stakes.

William Haggas has made no secret of the fact the Intello colt had a tough race at Epsom and has given him plenty of time to get over those exertions, with this Group Three race hopefully the springboard to a bigger autumn target.

Young Rascal looked full of promise when winning the Chester Vase back in May and a return to that kind of form could be good enough.

Son Of Rest has been all the rage for the William Hill Ayr Gold Cup, but another Irish raider in the shape of G Force could produce a surprise.

An Irish runner has yet to win the Scottish feature and it is easy to see why plenty have latched on to Son Of Rest following his narrow second in the Flying Five.

However, it could be dangerous to forget G Force, who was a Group One winner in his pomp and claimed a fine fourth in this race in 2016.

He failed to make any impression when switched back up to Pattern company against subsequent Ascot hero Merchant Navy on his latest start back in May, but given he seemingly saves his best for when there is an ease in the ground, conditions should be right up his street here.

G Force breezed home in a competitive heat at Naas earlier in the year and Adrian Keatley's charge is worth at least an each-way shout at generous odds.

Hyperfocus is another who will enjoy testing conditions and should not be ruled out of the Silver Cup.

Light My Fire had to settle for a narrow second at Chester after being forced to race widest of all, but should be able to reverse that verdict with the reopposing Glass Slippers in the William Hill Firth of Clyde Stakes.

Clever Cookie is sliding down the ratings now and could enjoy another moment in the spotlight in the Rewards4Racing Cesarewitch Trial Handicap at Newmarket.

His powers have clearly waned with his advancing years, but a mark of 98 should give him every chance over this two-and-a-quarter-mile trip.

Sporting Life selections

AYR: 1.25 Off Piste, 2.00 Dayking, 2.40 Hyperfocus, 3.15 Light My Fire, 3.50 G Force, 4.25 Collide, 4.55 Hajjam, 5.30 Fools And Kings.

CATTERICK: 1.50 Autumn Flight, 2.25 Rockshore, 3.00 Morning Beauty, 3.35 Jill Rose, 4.10 India, 4.45 Preacher Man, 5.20 Supreme Power, 5.50 Majdool.

CHELMSFORD: 1.40 Querelle, 2.15 War Glory, 2.50 Anasheed, 3.25 Fool For You, 4.00 La Fortuna, 4.35 Archimento, 5.05 Swordbill.

GOWRAN: 1.35 Casting Call, 2.05 I Am Superman, 2.35 Jaega, 3.10 North Face, 3.45 Best Not Argue, 4.20 Villa Maria, 4.50 Zarena, 5.25 War Diary.

NEWBURY: 1.15 London Eye, 1.45 Commander Cole, 2.20 Young Rascal, 2.55 True Mason, 3.30 HIT THE BID (NAP), 4.05 Solid Stone, 4.40 Seafarer, 5.15 Bertog.

NEWMARKET: 2.10 Ambling, 2.45 Game Player, 3.20 Forward Thinker, 3.55 Clever Cookie, 4.30 Bubble And Squeak, 5.00 Hameem, 5.35 Curious Fox.

WOLVERHAMPTON: 5.10 Essaka, 5.45 Alaskan Bay, 6.15 Queen Of Scheme, 6.45 Super Florence, 7.15 Dalileo, 7.45 Udogo, 8.15 Felix The Poet, 8.45 Brockey Rise.

DOUBLE: Hit The Bid and True Mason.


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