TV TIPS (SATURDAY)

Saturday's ITV Racing comes from Newmarket, York and Ascot, featuring the July Cup, competitive handicaps and several high-class performers. Pundit Rory Paddock has analysed every televised race this Saturday. If you're looking for the best horse racing tips today and in-depth race-by-race analysis before placing your bets, you'll find everything you need below. 13:40 NEWMARKET

It would be foolish to dismiss any Godolphin runner on home soil and Al Wathba commands plenty of respect, but racecourse experience could prove decisive and preference is for Haffner.

Aidan O'Brien's colt shaped with considerable promise when finishing second on debut at the Curragh last month and the form already looks particularly strong. The winner, stablemate Abraham Lincoln, holds several Group race entries, including one later on this card, and any juvenile capable of finishing close to him is likely to possess plenty of ability.

Subscription represents another powerful yard and is worthy of close consideration, especially if attracting market support, while Walkin On The Moon could appeal to each-way punters at bigger odds.

HAFFNER (WIN)

13:55 ASCOT

The first of Ascot's two live ITV contests pitches progressive three-year-olds against battle-hardened older sprinters.

Havana Hurricane and handicap debutant Behike take on experienced campaigners including Annaf and Glamorous Breeze. Former course and distance winner Havana Hurricane receives the vote after an encouraging third on his handicap debut. He was denied a clear passage at a crucial stage that day and looks capable of taking another step forward back at Ascot.

Annaf also catches the eye after returning to form on Newcastle's all-weather. Racing from a workable mark at a track where he has already tasted success, he looks another solid each-way proposition.

King Of Light commands respect after a dominant Windsor victory despite an 8lb rise, while Adrestia could improve with Colin Keane taking over in the saddle and already has useful Ascot form to her name.

ANNAF (E/W) HAVANA HURRICANE (E/W)

14:15 NEWMARKET

Former course and distance winner True Test caught the eye at Royal Ascot, where he was denied a clear run in the closing stages. Dropping back to seven furlongs looks a positive move and he appears capable of making the frame once again.

Machadadorp brings an unbeaten record into handicap company after edging home by a nose at Wetherby. Further improvement looks likely, although this represents a sterner examination.

Just A Girl produced a career-best effort when runner-up in Listed company but now returns to handicap company carrying a higher mark, which could make life tougher.

Preference is for former course winner Shallow, who has finished placed on each of her last four starts. Already proven on the July Course and now back below her last winning mark, she makes plenty of appeal.

SHALLOW (E/W)

14:27 ASCOT

More Thunder went agonisingly close to landing the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot and a repeat of that performance should see him take plenty of beating. With only two starts under his belt this season, William Haggas' charge arrives fresher than most and boasts the strongest recent form in the field.

Zeus Olympios also contested the Queen Anne, finishing just behind More Thunder, but appears unlikely to reverse the placings.

Docklands remains capable of producing high-class performances on his day, while French challenger No Lunch arrives seeking a remarkable seventh consecutive victory, although further improvement will be required at this level.

MORE THUNDER (WIN)

14:39 YORK

Cerulean Bay may not have won since October but has been knocking firmly on the door and confirmed his wellbeing with an excellent fifth in the 28-runner Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot. This looks an easier assignment and a repeat of that effort should see him go very close.

Kevin Ryan-trained runners always warrant respect on the Knavesmire and Apiarist would have major claims at his best. However, the likely fast ground appears against him.

Checkandchallenge is no longer the force of old but retains enough ability to sneak into the frame and could appeal at rewarding odds.

CERULEAN BAY (WIN)

14:52 NEWMARKET

Britannia Stakes winner Moonfall returns following his Royal Ascot triumph and looks capable of another bold showing, although a 7lb rise asks a significant question. George Boughey and Billy Loughnane have enjoyed an excellent campaign together and another victory would come as no surprise, but his current odds leave little margin for error.

Handicap newcomers Eklleem and Alfaraz both arrive on the back of impressive victories and look open to considerable improvement. William Haggas' Eklleem commands obvious respect, but course-and-distance winner Alfaraz receives the vote.

Wechaad has yet to fire this season but the booking of Ryan Moore suggests a much-improved effort could be forthcoming.

ALFARAZ (E/W)

15:12 YORK

Heavenly Heather attracted strong support at Newcastle before being withdrawn and now returns to a venue where she produced her best turf effort when runner-up in a competitive handicap. This looks another demanding contest but she remains capable of making the frame.

American Affair landed Group 1 honours at Royal Ascot last year but has failed to reproduce that level in three starts this season. While a revival cannot be dismissed entirely, others make greater appeal.

Washington Heights landed this contest 12 months ago and signalled a return to form with victory last time. His York record is solid and he represents a stable that traditionally excels here.

At bigger odds, Starlust is another to note. His York figures read 2-1-1-3, including victory in this race two years ago, and he's worth another each-way chance.

Military Code, Dickension and Katie Scott's pair Luna A Inbhir Nis and Naana's Shadow also warrant respect.

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS (E/W) STARLUST (E/W)

15:25 NEWMARKET

The historic Bunbury Cup is one of Saturday's highlights and, as ever, a fiercely competitive handicap.

Aalto was narrowly denied by More Thunder in this race 12 months ago and arrives in similar form following a recent runner-up effort. Racing from 5lb lower than last year, he looks to hold major claims.

Course winner Elarak also arrives after an excellent second in the Buckingham Palace Stakes and, despite a higher mark, remains capable of another big performance.

Great Acclaim finished just behind Elarak at Ascot and has enjoyed a consistent campaign. Runner-up on his only previous visit over this course and distance, another bold effort looks likely.

Two Tribes and Nostrum appeal most at bigger odds.

ELARAK (E/W) GREAT ACCLAIM (E/W)

15:45 YORK

The King's Warrant Holder and William Haggas' progressive Yabher both deserve their positions towards the head of the betting and should feature prominently. However, in a 22-runner handicap, bigger-priced alternatives make greater appeal.

Raammee has shaped as though stepping up to 1m2f will suit perfectly. Roger Varian's lightly raced four-year-old was an encouraging second at Sandown and still has significant scope for improvement.

At much bigger odds, Irish challenger Iron Fist appeals after an excellent third in a competitive 20-runner Curragh handicap. More is required, but his current odds underestimate his chance.

RAAMMEE (E/W) IRON FIST (E/W)

16:00 NEWMARKET

Abraham Lincoln is clearly held in the highest regard by Aidan O'Brien and justified that reputation with an impressive debut success at the Curragh. He looked value for more than the winning margin and the form could receive another boost earlier on the card if runner-up Haffner performs well.

Al Hudaiba commands enormous respect after winning both completed starts, including over this course. Although his latest victory came by only a narrow margin, he always looked in control and remains the chief threat.

With only seven runners declared there is little scope for an each-way alternative, although Notable Dream appeals most of the remainder.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN (WIN)

16:35 NEWMARKET

The July Cup promises to be one of the races of the season, with four Royal Ascot winners locking horns in a mouthwatering renewal.

Commonwealth Cup heroine Venetian Sun heads the market and benefits enormously from the weight-for-age and fillies' allowance, receiving 9lb from several of her chief rivals. Combined with proven course-and-distance form, that could prove decisive.

Almeraq narrowly denied Satono Reve in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes and the Japanese challenger will be seeking revenge. Both demand the utmost respect despite conceding weight.

Mission Central has won all three starts this season, culminating in Group 1 success in the King's Charles III Stakes, although today's extra furlong presents a fresh challenge.

Double Rush also arrives unbeaten this season following Wokingham glory but faces a substantial rise in class.

The allowances afforded to Venetian Sun may just prove enough to establish her as one of the leading sprinting fillies in training.

VENETIAN SUN (WIN)

16:55 YORK

The concluding Group 3 is something of a puzzle. Remarkably, the four market leaders have accumulated 33 starts between them since any last visited the winner's enclosure, with none tasting success since July 2025.

While each has run with credit on numerous occasions, none make overwhelming appeal and caution is advised.

Slight preference is for former course-and-distance winner Tabletalk and William Haggas' Arabian Force, with the pair taken to dominate the finish.

ARABIAN FORCE – TABLETALK (REV FCAST) written by Rory Paddock