Horse Racing tips: Mick Fitzgerald’s 7 super selections for Saturday’s ITV races

It's King George VI Stakes day and top tellybox pundit Mick Fitz has TV picks for Saturday's action at Ascot and York.

Mick Fitzgerald

By / Horse Racing Tips / 3 years ago

* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

It seems like a tale of two cities this weekend with ITV’s coverage of King George VI Stakes day at Ascot where there is a lot of rain forecast while York looks like it will be baking hot.

With that in mind, my Ascot selections will feature those who can cope in slower conditions as well as good ground to give us an edge.

Ascot 13:50 – Nymphadora

System heads the market on the back of a win at Newmarket in a Listed race beating another one of today’s rivals, Desert Dreamer. Richard Hannon’s runner didn’t get the clearest of runs and like a lot of that trainer’s runners, she took a big step forward from her first start and could progress again from her last run.

Nymphadora won the Marygate Stakes at York over 5f easily having finished sixth to Desert Dreamer on debut, after trouble in running. She is a smart filly who may be under the radar having finished mid division in the Queen Mary at the Royal meeting. I’m willing to give her a chance over this 6 furlong trip and think she represents really good value at the price.

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York 14:05 – Soul Seeker

David O’Meara teamed up with Tom Scudamore to win at Market Rasen last weekend and they have a big chance of landing the 5f jump jockeys race with Soul Seeker. He’s proven at the track on quick ground and the trainer loves having winners at his local course. It’s quite a novelty event for the National Hunt jockeys to ride this fast 5f. I wish I had the chance to do it when I was riding!

Ascot 14:25 – Mystery Smiles

When you consider that Andrew Balding’s runner Mystery Smiles finished third in the Craven Stakes he looks a big price in this contest. He got slightly hampered late on in the run there too. He’s the stable’s second string on jockey bookings with William Carver claiming 5lb off him.

He never got into the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket last time but on this course, he can sit handy with plenty of room around him. Latest Generation was the alternative as he is beautifully bred and is highly thought of by connections.

York 14:40 – Golden Apollo

Tim Easterby’s runner Golden Apollo was second is this contest last year off a 3lb higher mark and can win it for us this year. David Allan rides this track brilliantly too. Mondammej is a lively sort who goes down early and has run some very good races this season and has every chance again.

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Ascot 15:00 – Aldaary

Jockey Dane O’Neill had a tough choice to make with Shadwell Estate’s retained rider, Jim Crowley, in action at York. He rides Motakhayyel who won the Banbury Cup easily at Newmarket two weeks ago, but he has a 3lb penalty for that success. He would’ve won with that extra weight the last time anyway and is well in off this mark.

Danyah ran really well at Royal Ascot and this son of Invincible Spirit will handle conditions if it turns soft. Aldaary is the outsider of the three Shadwell Estate owned runners and ran well at Royal Ascot in the Buckingham Palace Stakes when fifth to Highland Princess. He’s proven on slow ground and at the track so I’ll take a punt on him with rain in the weather forecast.

York 15:15 – Mohaafeth

William Haggas’ runner Mohaafeth is unbeaten this season and I was really impressed with this son of Frankel at Royal Ascot. They took him out of the Epsom Derby at the last minute because of the soft ground but won very nicely in the Hampton Court Stakes. This will be tougher though.

Montatham will act as a pacemaker and should set it up lovely for him. Armory ran a nice race behind Love at the Royal meeting but has to give the selection 12lbs. Juan Elcano responded well to a gelding and wind operation when winning at Ascot last time, but this is tougher. Mohaafeth to win.

Ascot 15:35 – Love

It is fantastic to have an all-age clash all of the ages in the featured King George VI Chase with Epsom Derby winner Adayar taking on last year’s Epsom 1,000 Guineas and Oaks winner Love. Aidan O’Brien’s filly sets a very high standard and won the Prince of Wales Stakes at Royal Ascot last month on her first run of this season too. She is proven at the highest level, but if we get a lot of rain I am not sure she is as potent on slow ground as she is on a quick surface.

Adayar was given the perfect ride to win the Derby at Epsom and will handle slow conditions but is unproven on fast ground. That doesn’t mean he won’t be able to handle and as a three-year-old will get weight off Love. Mishriff has apparently improved from his run in the Eclipse at Sandown where he was a good second to St Mark’s Basilica. He also won the Sheema Classic at Meydan and handles slow ground. Wonderful Tonight is an exceptional filly on soft ground and trainer David Menuisier will be hoping the heavens open overnight. Love should be too good for them but watch the forecast and the going!

Mick Fitzgerald’s picks for Saturday’s races:

Ascot 13:50 – Nymphadora
York 14:05 – Soul Seeker
Ascot 14:25 – Mystery Smiles
York 14:40 – Golden Apollo
Ascot 15:00 – Aldaary
York 15:15 – Mohaafeth
Ascot 15:35 – Love

* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

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