Saturday’s horse racing action comes from Ascot, Haydock Park, Kempton Park, Stratford, Thirsk and Wolverhampton. There is also racing in Ireland from Leopardstown. The major races of the day take place at Haydock Park where they are staging two Group 1 Betfred Sprint Cup. With the Paralympics continuing this week, Channel 4 Racing moves to More4, Sky Channel 138, and will be broadcasting a selection of the races from Ascot, Haydock and Kempton, with plenty of action for armchair punters to enjoy.

2.15 Haydock

Haydock stages some cracking racing today and this Betfred ‘The Bonus King’ Be Friendly Handicap is certainly one of the most interesting races of the day. This is a class 2 handicap for horses aged three years and upwards and there is £12,938 on offer to the winning connections.

The 15 runners are headed in the betting by the Tim Barron trained Long Awaited. This four year old won well at Epsom last time out and although up 5lbs in the weights, could make it back to back wins under Richard Hughes. The horse looks to be on an upward curve and is a worthy favourite. I personally like the chances of the Dandy Nicholls runner Tax Free.

Now a ten year old, Tax Free really rolled back the years when winning a very competitive event at York last time out and even though up 3lbs off the back of that, he has won from a lot higher in the weights in years gone by. It would be no surprise to see the old boy gain his second victory of the campaign here.

Back Tax Free @ 5/1 with bet365

3.25pm Haydock

A Group 1 British Champions Series event here, the Betfred Sprint Cup is open to horses aged three years and older and is run over a trip of six furlongs. There is a huge first prize of £127,598 and 15 runners go to post.

Bet365 make Australian raider Ortensia their 9/4 market leader. William Buick has partnered this horse to win his last two starts, firstly the King George Stakes at Goodwood, followed by the Nunthorpe Stakes at York. Ortensia’s win in the Nunthorpe was particularly impressive, as was the ride given by Buick.

The only question mark will be whether this mare can put up another performance of that calibre just two weeks on but she’s definitely the one they all have to beat. Although he’s not managed the sort of heights Ortensia has reached this season, I feel it could well be Strong Suit’s time today. Richard Hannon’s runner has been given a strange campaign in arguably unsuitable races, but came back to form last time to finish second at Newbury. I feel the horse will be able to come off the strong pace and register his first Group 1 success.

Back Strong Suit @ 11/2 with bet365

Channel 4 Selections

bet365 have a great free bet offer for races televised live on Channel 4;

Back any single winner at 4/1 or more on a UK or Irish race televised live on Channel 4 and you can have a free bet to the same stake on the next live Channel 4 race. If your free bet also wins at odds of 4/1 or more, you qualify for a free bet on the next live Channel 4 race. Keep backing those winners and bet365 will keep giving you free bets!

Here are our fancies for Saturday’s live races:

2.00 Ascot – Music Chart

2.15 Haydock – Tax Free

2.30 Kempton – Mijhaar

2.50 Haydock – Thistle Bird

3.05 Kempton – Verse Of Love

3.25 Haydock – Strong Suit

3.45 Ascot – Bannock

4.10 Kempton – Intibaah

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