ITV Racing Tips: Back in tune Homeless Songs can take the Sun Chariot
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It’s a big weekend of international racing with the running of the Prix de ‘l’Arc de Triomphe, but the action on the TV is all domestic.
The Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket is the feature, a top-notch Group 1 which has attracted some of the best fillies and mares in Europe over a mile.
Royal Ascot winner Saffron Beach and Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Homeless Songs are the main draws in the Rowley Mile showpiece. It’s one of three races from Newmarket which shares the action with Ascot, which stages two Group races and a valuable handicap plus the Two-Year-Old Trophy at Redcar on an eight-race schedule.
It all kicks off at 1pm on ITV4 and we have previewed three of the day’s significant races in our ITV Racing Tips.
Saffron Beach returns for another crack at the race in which she secured her first Group 1 victory 12 months ago. On that occasion she defeated 1,000 Guineas winner Mother Earth. This time she meets Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Homeless Songs.
The pair clashed in the Matron Stakes three weeks ago at Leopardstown where Saffron Beach finished two and a half lengths in front of Homeless Songs. Homeless Songs ran well below her best on her first start since May. Soft ground may well have compromised her and as she is set to encounter quicker ground at Newmarket where she will be fitted with a tongue tie for the first time, a turnaround in form can be expected.
Ayr Gold Cup first and second Summerghand and Commanche Falls step out of handicaps for this Group 3 sprint.
Commanche Falls has the stronger claim on ratings but could have it to do against a horse like Rohaan, not only a track specialist but one who has acquitted himself well at the very highest level.
The two-time Wokingham winner finished third in the Haydock Park Sprint last time and before that was a fine fourth behind Highfield Princess in a Group 1 in France. He doesn’t win often but this looks his best chance in a while to get his head back in front.
There are plenty of old favourites in this valuable handicap for which Fresh is a deserved favourite. The James Fanshawe-trained runner has won his last two, both over course and distance.
Danny Tudhope, who is retained by Fresh’s owner is aboard again, so not available to ride for David O’Meara. O’Meara runs five, not one of which can be dismissed. Blue For You beat stablemate Escobar by a neck over a mile at York last time with Orbaan back in fourth. As they meet again, it is Escobar who offers the best value at likely odds of 16-1.
ITV Racing Schedule, Saturday, 1st October
13:31 Newmarket – 1m2f fillies’ handicap
13:51 Ascot – Rous Stakes
14:06 Newmarket– October Auction Stakes
14:25 Ascot – Cumberland Lodge Stakes
14:42 Newmarket – Sun Chariot Stakes
15:00 Ascot – Bengough Stakes
15:21 Redcar – Two-Year-Old Trophy
15:36 Ascot – Challenge Cup
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
