ITV Racing Tips: So Perfect day for Aidan O’Brien at Newbury?

It’s a busy afternoon of racing on ITV this Saturday with nine contests from Newbury and Ayr, including the 2019 Scottish Grand National.

There’s also the Scottish Champion Hurdle and a pair of Group 3 contests on the flat, where Aidan O’Brien’s 1,000 Guineas entry So Perfect will go up against Dancing Vega in a mouthwatering clash.

Get set for a fantastic few hours of top quality equine entertainment with our ITV Racing Tips.

NAP – So Perfect – 2:10 Newbury

This Group 3 contest looks like a straightforward fight between Dancing Vega and So Perfect. There’s not a great deal to split the pair, although O’Brien’s charge does boast a great deal more experience.

It’s useful experience too. The Scat Daddy filly was placed twice in Group 1 contests over 6f last term and also hit the frame when third behind the impressive American-trained Bulletin in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint.

That form is the strongest on offer, and on the basis that she should appreciate the step up to 7f for the first time, So Perfect is our tip in the second race of the day at Newbury.

NB – Mohaather – 2:40 Newbury

We think Mohaather might be better than the odds suggest. Marcus Tregoning’s raider has run consistently well in all three career starts and showed his Nottingham win was no fluke when first at 33/1 in the Group 3 Horris Hill in October.

That run came over course and distance and there’s no reason to suggest he won’t have matured and found more improvement over the winter in order to challenge here.

The trainer is confident, and with the combination of Jim Crowley on board and no Too Darn Hot to worry about, our tip has nothing to fear in what is essentially a trial for the 2,000 Guineas.

Lively Longshot – Crosshue Boy – 3:35 Ayr

We couldn’t go through this tips column without having a poke at the 2019 Coral Scottish Grand National. There are a number who could challenge for the win – 30 of them in fact – but it’s Crosshue Boy who we’re falling down on.

Sean Thomas Doyle’s charge has plenty going for him. Not only has he enjoyed two nice spins over hurdles to get him prepared for the National, he also won at this meeting last year when edging market principal Dingo Dollars.

The nine-year-old also conforms to a number of the key form trends, and with connections targeting this race for the best part of 12 months, there’s every reason to be confident about the Brian Boru gelding hitting the frame.

ITV Racing tips:

1:25 Ayr – Forest Bihan

1:40 Newbury – Defoe

1:55 Ayr – Molly The Dolly

2:10 Newbury – So Perfect (NAP)

2:25 Ayr – Mister Fisher

2:40 Newbury – Mohaather (NB)

3:00 Ayr – Ballywood

3:15 Newbury – Red Starlight

3:35 Ayr – Crosshue Boy (Lively Longshot, each-way)

View the latest Horse Racing odds.