Horse Racing tips: Matt Chapman’s 8 best bets for Sunday’s ITV coverage

I’m loving the Sunday racing on ITV and there’s a bumper show Sunday with eight races shown from a rare visit to Salisbury and Thirsk, plus Group 1 action from the Curragh.

Let’s get straight to it and start off with the fixture at Salisbury. Here’s what I fancy:

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13:40 Salisbury – Happy Power

A conditions race here for three-year-olds and above over 7 furlongs. It’s a gilt-edged opportunity for HAPPY POWER in a small field.

This trip is ideal for the Andrew Balding-trained colt and Silvestre de Sousa takes the ride for his retainer after a fair fourth at Haydock where the ground was a bit soft. His second on faster ground at Newmarket the time before was decent.

14:15 Salisbury – Well Done Fox

Now we have a sprint handicap over 5 furlongs and it’s wide open contest. WELL DONE FOX is my each-way hope here from a decent enough draw in stall 5.

He’s down in the ratings for Richard Hannon, but was not disgraced at Goodwood last time and might give Silvestre de Sousa a double. Have a few quid on each-way.

14:50 Salisbury – Salayel

Another handicap here, this time for fillies and mares over 1m. Hard not to be all over SALAYEL here for Jack Mitchell and Roger Varian.

My hope has to hump 10st, which is not ideal, but her second in the Silver Royal Hunt Cup was a great effort and she was third in Listed company last time.

15:25 Salisbury – Regal Reality

Lastly from Salisbury, it’s a Group 3 over 1m. Motakhayyel has looked a monster this season and can easily win this, I love him!

At the prices I am going to have a few quid each-way on REGAL REALITY, who is trained by Sir Michael Stoute and is a big ride once again for Richard Kingscote. He’s been running in races he can’t win a lot of the time, but he’s capable at best and was a good third in the Wolferton at Royal Ascot. Could run on for a place at least.

13:55 Thirsk – Mighty Spirit

The Thirsk action begins with a handicap over 5 furlongs and we have a tough event to call.

MIGHTY SPIRIT is very well handicapped for Richard Fahey. She has not shown much in two runs this season, but this is a big opportunity to bounce back with Megan Nicholls taking off 3lb.

14.30 Thirsk – Muscika

Next at Thirsk it’s a handicap over 6 furlongs and we’ve got ourselves another wide-open contest.

MUSCIKA is up in the weights after a decent win at York last time and two consistent runs before that.

That said, he is in great form and must have place claims at least for David O’Meara and Danny Tudhope.

15:10 Curragh – The Lir Jet

Classy stuff here with the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes for colts and fillies over 6 furlongs. There’s a huge chance for Ben Coen here on THE LIR JET with Oisin Murphy choosing not to go to Ireland with the Covid-19 rules.

The Royal Ascot winner was just touched off by re-opposing Ventura Tormenta in the Prix Robert Papin last time, but I have no doubt the Michael Bell inmate is a better horse and expect the form to be reversed.

15:40 Curragh – Millisle

Another decent race here with a Group 3 sprint over 6 furlongs. MILLISLE was impressive last time and sprinting is definitely her thing after starting off the season over a mile in the 1000 Guineas.

The Cheveley Park winner clearly still has a future and can take advantage of weight she gets from some of these for Jessica Harrington and Shane Foley.

So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?

* Prices on our snazzy new bet widget are bang up to date.

Matt Chapman’s tips summary:

13:40 Salisbury – Happy Power
14:15 Salisbury – Well Done Fox
14:50 Salisbury – Salayel
15:25 Salisbury – Regal Reality
13:55 Thirsk – Mighty Spirit
14.30 Thirsk – Muscika
15:10 Curragh – The Lir Jet
15:40 Curragh – Millisle