ITV Racing Tips: Can Eqtidaar get up for the July Cup?

Preview and tips for Saturday racing

The ITV crew will have their work cut out this afternoon with no fewer than ten live races across the main channel and ITV3.

Ed Chamberlin and co. will be anchored at Newmarket for the Darley July Cup. But there’s also Group and Handicap action to get stuck into from both Ascot and York.

There won’t be a moment’s peace for prospective punters from 12:45pm until 3:40pm. So it’s down to the Coral News Team to try and find some winners.

Will Eqtidaar get up for the Cup?

The Coral News Team have previewed the contenders for the Darley July Cup here. And after much deliberation, it’s Eqtidaar who gets the nod.

Coral ambassador Jim Crowley will be on board once again after guiding the three-year-old to seriously impressive success in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot last time out. You can read his thoughts on the raider here. 

He’ll face a number of the same contenders again at Newmarket, all of whom have black marks against their name. Sir Michael Stoute’s charge keeps on progressing, and if he can get a lead early doors, could be on for back-to-back Group 1 successes. A high draw should also help his chances.

Follow up for Afaak? 

The John Smith’s Cup from York is one of the most open races of the entire day. As many as 22 runners are pencilled in to tackle the 1m 2f challenge, with Royal Hunt Cup second Afaak tipped to go one better on the Knavesmire.

He won here in May and connections clearly feel a slight step up in trip from his preferred distance is worth a shot. The Oasis Dream colt faired pretty well over 1m 1f last year, and after keeping on well then, the Coral News Team think he’s worth a go on each-way terms now.

Firmament an each-way play? 

Each-way is the order of the day in the big Handicaps, so we’re sticking with it for the 20-runner Bunbury Cup at Newmarket. Seven of the last ten winners of this renewal have come at a double-figure price, so it makes sense to look down the market.

Firmament is one that catches the eye. David O’Meara’s six-year-old is winless since 2016 but tends to go well in big field handicap contests like this. He’s back down to a workable rating after recent efforts and can do some damage at a nice price.

ITV Racing Tips:

12:45 Ascot – Tanasoq

1:05 Newmarket – Blown By Wind

1:20 Ascot – Lord Glitters

1:40 Newmarket – Firmament

1:55 York – Take Cover

2:15 Newmarket – Eqtidaar

2:35 York – Dal Harraild

3:10 York – Baraweez

3:20 Newmarket – Clubbable

3:40 York – Afaak

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing