ITV Racing Tips: Saturday Bets for Virgin Bet Big Day Out at Kempton

The most interesting runner, who has been overlooked in the market, is Jack Channon’s ARKHALIA FLYNN (best price 14/1), who could find the requisite improvement to make an impact. 

This three-year-old was sent off as an unprovoked 16/1 chance in what was a seriously hot novice stakes race on his debut at Newbury, but he emerged from that race with a zest of credit. 

Despite pulling hard for much of the race and having to race on the flank of the field, he travelled into the race with plenty of purpose to challenge for the lead two furlongs out. 

Those early excursions took their toll, but there was a lot to like about his effort in defeat, and the form has been well documented since, as the runner-up was last seen going close in a Group 3 race. 

David Probert is booked to ride, and the switch to an all-weather track over this shorter trip should bring about significant improvement. He’s drawn well in stall 5 and makes plenty of each-way appeal. 

The Virgin Bet Daily Price Boosts Snowdrop Fillies' Stakes has a competitive look to it, but JULIA AUGUSTA (best price 8/1) warrants interest, and she is fancied to uphold her solid record at this course. 

Roger Varian’s mare has not won since winning her first couple of starts, but she’s run well in defeat several times and has the form and ability in her locker to beat these with James Doyle in the saddle. 

Having won over course and distance on her debut, she looked a touch unlucky not to make it two from two here in November when narrowly denied by Choisya. She meets that rival on 4Ib worse terms now, but has more to offer. 

She’s drawn well in stall 1, she is well suited to this course, and her handler has been among the winners in recent weeks. Given her record here and a clutch of other positives to draw upon, she’s worth another chance. 

Mystic Pearl came under close consideration, but marginal preference is for Joseph O’Brien’s ADELAISE (best price 11/2). This mare is a course winner, and while she’s only won once so far in her career, she’s been extremely consistent in defeat in most of her other outings. 

She caught the eye when she finished her race with a flourish to take fourth in the Kensington Palace Fillies' Handicap at Royal Ascot last year and went very close on her return last year in a big-field handicap at the Curragh when third of 20, so her fitness will not be of concern. 

It’s interesting to see William Buick booked to do the steering, and she’s drawn in stall 4. I think her strong-finishing style of running will really come into effect in what should be a strongly-run contest, so she earns the vote to deservedly get her head in front. Her trainer and jockey are in good form. 

In the Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money Back Rosebery Handicap, I’m keen to have a nibble at Jim Goldie’s LONDONER (best price 25/1), who could exceed market expectations on his stable debut for the Scottish-based handler. 

This is a fair old journey from Glasgow to Kempton with his solo runner on the card. Jim Crowley rides this course effectively, and he’s required to do the steering, which is his only ride on the card as well. Another interesting pointer. 

This four-year-old did a decent job for former boss Aidan O’Brien and adapted to Dundalk’s course with a win and a second from three starts, so there’s optimism about him relishing the polytrack here, with a good draw in stall 4. 

Deemed good enough to contest the Golden Gates Handicap at Royal Ascot last year, where he travelled well under a big weight, he’s 4Ib lower for this assignment. With four places generally available, I can see him running well.

YOUTHFUL KING (best price 10/1) is another one I really like in this competitive contest. This five-year-old has finished his last couple of races with an exceptional late burst of speed to make the frame from an unfavourable track position. 

Without being too critical, he’s been given an awful lot to do, but I feel as though this horse is seen at his best when faced with a strong pace, and despite this being tougher than last time, his mark remains unchanged. Off a low weight, he should be thereabouts, with four places on offer. 

The feature race in Ireland is the Group 3 Tote.ie Alleged Stakes, and although CRYPTO FORCE (best price 10/1) has an absence of 560 days to overcome, this four-year-old has the form and ability to run a big race. 

Unbeaten in two starts at this course, he could only finish seventh in the Chesham at Royal Ascot but resumed winning ways with an emphatic Group 2 victory in the Beresford Stakes when defeating Irish Derby runner-up Adelaide River by nearly three lengths. 

In his debut victory, he beat English and Irish Derby winner Auguste Rodin by a comfortable two and a quarter lengths, and that is the best form in this field, let alone his other win here when last spotted, which is another quality piece of form for context. 

The fact that connections are letting him take his chance on this ground over this longer trip does indicate that he’s ready to roll. If he’s anywhere near his best, I think he’s a major competitor against these. Whether he wins or not, his price remains too attractive. 

Andrew Balding’s SPIRIT MIXER (best price 9/1) appears to have been laid out for this race and should come on plenty from his comeback run at Lingfield, which ought to have blown away the cobwebs to some extent. 

While it’s worth pointing out that he’s had his issues, his second in the 2022 Northumberland Plate, when he made the high-class Trueshan pull out all of the stops, is top-quality form, and he can now find himself 1Ib lower for this race. 

The six-year-old could hardly be drawn better in stall 2, and Oisin Murphy takes over the reigns this time around. He is very well treated, with a mark of 96, and there’s no reason why he can’t go close if he’s able to perform to his best. 

Four places are generally available and advised.