ITV Racing Tips: Saturday Double for Coral-Eclipse Day at Sandown

Regal Jubilee, 1pt E/W, 11/2

Clove Hitch is improving at a rate of knots and gained a breakthrough win by eight lengths at Newbury three weeks ago. She must be respected, as should Sandringham winner Soprano, but don’t rule out REGAL JUBILEE (best price 11/2), who has the ability to give the pair a lot to think about. 

This daughter of Frankel won two of her three starts last year, including a Listed race, and went very close to making a winning return when finishing a neck-second to Folgaria in a Group 3 race at Newbury. That form is top-class given she had 1000 Guineas winner Elmalka back in third. 

She wasn’t able to confirm the placings when behind that rival at Newmarket, but bounced back to form with a fine second last time out and would have won without being short of room two furlongs from the finish. Form-wise, she should be the favourite, so anything bigger makes her a definite play against the field.

Epic Poet, 1pt E/W, 8/1, 5 places 

A Listed winner in France, with form figures in that region reading 1131322, EPIC POET (best price 9/1) has taken a while to get the hang of things in the UK. However, he arrives on the back of a superb runner-up effort in the Duke Of Edinburgh at Royal Ascot on just his second start for David O’Meara and is fancied to go one better off only a 3lb higher mark. 

Considering how far back he was in that race, the ground he covered in the home straight was nothing short of incredible, only finding Crystal Black too strong who had first run on him. He was evidently well suited to a strong pace, and he’s likely to get that here. His connections won this two years ago with Get Shirty, and evidence points to this horse being more talented. 

That latest outing was just his second start for this stable, and there’s plenty of room for improvement in the handicap ranks. The five-year-old will have no issue with the draw, given he’s likely to be held up like last time. With places on offer, I’ll be surprised if he’s not heavily involved in the outcome. His unexposed profile screams a potential winner of this valuable pot.

Twilight Calls, 1pt WIN, 4/1

Live In The Dream would have outstanding claims if he’s able to rediscover the sort of form that saw him land last year’s Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes. However, the betting has him priced up plenty short enough after finishing a well-beaten fifth at Haydock last time and can be opposed once more. 

Preference is for Henry Candy’s TWILIGHT CALLS (best price 4/1), who finished second, fourth, and sixth in the last three renewals of the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot. There were positives to glean from his recent sixth-place finish, which bodes well for his chances here. 

He was held up at the back of the far side of the group under Ryan Moore and was one of the last horses off the bridle. Despite not being able to quicken up like we know he can do once the button was pressed, he was tentatively handled in the closing stages, suggesting he could take another step forward. 

This is a fair drop in grade for him, and the addition of headgear is an interesting move. Ultimately, he will need plenty to fall right in order to be seen at his best, but this is likely to be run at a true pace. If that’s the case, this classy sprinter might be able to provide his handler with an overdue success.

Align The Stars, 1pt E/W, 15/2

ALIGN THE STARS (best price 15/2) showed distinct improvement to emphatically open his account at Thirsk last time out, and despite being hit with a 7lb higher mark, Charlie Johnston’s charge can make his presence felt at this higher level stepping up in trip.

The stable has a pretty good record in this contest, and his one-length second to the 100+ rated London City at York. His penultimate third at Hamilton was a little disappointing, but again, he was strong at the finish before winning with plenty to spare last time out. 

This son of Sea The Stars now has form figures on the turf that read 222231, and the manner in which he settled matters last time out is a clear indication that he’s improving and a horse that could still be ahead of the handicapper. With four places generally available, it makes perfect sense to keep him on side.

Cicero’s Gift, 0.5 pts E/W, 9/1

CICERO’S GIFT (best price 9/1) has not been seen since competing in last year’s St James’s Palace Stakes and has to concede match fitness whilst shouldered with top weight, but there’s no disputing his talent and he may be ready to run a big race on handicap debut. 

Charlie Hills’ four-year-old made rapid progress last year, winning three on the bounce before having his sights set on Group 1 company at the Royal meeting. The way he travelled into the race indicated that he’s bordering on being a Group 2 horse at least. 

He was denied a clear run on multiple occasions and could finish no better than seventh, but I’m convinced he would have finished much closer, possibly even in the frame. His previous victory at Goodwood reads well, having beaten the 103-rated Kolsoi by five lengths, who finished a close-up third in the Group 3 Betfred Diomed Stakes next time out. 

Last season’s reappearance saw him easily beat Docklands by one and a half lengths. That is the best piece of form on offer, as the latter went on to land the Britannia Stakes and was last seen finishing second in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes. Based on that performance, I don’t think he’s harshly treated off a mark of 107 here. 

Billy Loughnane has been booked to ride, and this highly regarded son of Muhaarer clearly goes well first-time out, having won on his debut in 2022 and on his return last year. He’s been handed a nice slot in stall 1, and I doubt we have seen the best of him after just four starts, so he could be primed to make a serious impact. 

Holloway Boy, 1pt E/W, 15/2

I cannot help but give another chance to HOLLOWAY BOY (best price 15/2), who was one of the biggest eye-catchers at Royal Ascot when a fast-finishing fifth in the Hunt Cup. Karl Burke’s charge was unlucky not to finish closer, maybe even win, due to being denied a clear run at a crucial stage, and the assessor has given him a serious chance off the same mark. 

He’s yet to add to his debut Chesham victory in 2022, but he’s produced some sterling efforts in defeat since, including at the highest level, and conditions here will be right up his street. The ground will suit, and this will be just his second start in handicap company. Should he encounter clear daylight this time, I can see him being heavily competitive, with every chance of making amends.

Sweet Memories, 0.5 pts E/W, 12/1

Tiffany has undoubtedly turned into a winning machine and was impressive when taking a Group 3 contest at Newcastle last week. She is the correct favourite, but this is a quick turnaround, and I’ll instead take a chance on the returning SWEET MEMORIES (best price 12/1).

After shaping with promise when fourth on her debut at Wolverhampton, she won back-to-back starts last year when switched to the turf, including a Listed race before finishing second in Group 3 company on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket. 

That form has worked out well with the third, Running Lion, recently winning the Group 2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot. She was below form in a Group 1 race when last seen, but has been given plenty of time since and will find this less demanding. 

This isn’t the easiest of races to make her return, but her connections are happy to let her take her chance. John Gosden has an incredible record in the race, winning it no fewer than nine times, including six of the last 13 renewals, and their filly could offer some decent value at the odds.

L’astronome, 0.5 pts E/W, 50/1, 5 places 

The bookmakers might have missed a trick here in overlooking Hugo Palmer’s L’ASTRONOME (best price 50/1), who was also a smart performer in France, and a reproduction of his third in a Listed race at Chester last September would surely see him exceed market expectations. 

This five-year-old has been campaigned sparingly since joining the yard, having only had four starts for Hugo. He wasn’t able to make a splash on handicap seasonal debut two starts ago, but he is open to improvement, and this former Group 2 winner has stamina in abundance, with fitness assured after two outings this season. 

I’m assuming his latest run in the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes was utilised as a preparatory run. Furthermore, Jason Hart retains the ride, and this presents a significant ease in grade. A mark of 100, which is 5lb lower than his return, is very handy, and with the five places available, I’m optimistic he can outrun his ludicrous price tag.