ITV Racing Preview: Who’s in the running this weekend?

We take a look at Saturday’s biggest televised races

While many punters will be looking ahead to Royal Ascot next week, this weekend still has plenty of action to offer.

ITV will be showing racing from Newbury and Sandown Park from 13:50 on Saturday afternoon and we look at our pick of the races, including the Group 3 Diomed Stakes and all three of the afternoon’s listed races.

Newbury

13:50 Handicap Stakes

14:25 Maggie Dickson Fillies’ Stakes (Listed Race)

15:00 Abingdon Fillies’ Stakes (Listed Race)

15:35 Diomed Stakes (Group 3)

Sandown Park

14:05 The Sutton Handicap Stakes

14:40 The Scurry Stakes (Listed Race)

15:15 The Claygate Handicap Stakes

Maggie Dickson Fillies’ Stakes – Newbury 14:25

Miss Celestial managed to consistently place in Listed race outings last year and her return at Haydock suggested there’s more to come. A drop in trip could suit Mubtasimah, who won her first three starts last season. Farzeen is yet to match her promise as a novice, but may be ready to make the step up as a four-year-old.

The Scurry Stakes – Sandown Park 14:40

Lazuli looked strong in a second-placed finish at Newmarket last week and had two wins in two races as a novice. The biggest challenge comes from Sunday Sovereign who held plenty of promise as a juvenile, though his last outing at the Norfolk stakes underwhelmed. Al Raya also possesses the consistent form to challenge here.

Abingdon Fillies’ Stakes – Newbury 15:00

Cabaletta impressed in a winning debut at Yarmouth last season, while Oriental Mystique may be ready to improve, after winning her second race at Kempton last November. Franconia is the other filly in with a good chance, losing narrowly in a novice outing at Chelmsford back in November.

Diomed Stakes – Newbury 15:35

King of Comedy may not be known for consistency, but has plenty of talent and going fresh into this could be just what he needs. Look out too for Marie’s Diamond, winner of the Paradise Stakes at Newmarket last week. Zaaki was victorious in this race last year, albeit at Epsom, and is another who may benefit from going in fresh.

View the latest horse racing odds.

All odds and markets correct as of date of publication