ITV Racing Tips and Previews (Saturday 18th April 2026)

ITV Racing on Saturday is a proper mix of Flat and jumps with Ayr and Newbury both putting on some cracking races.

You’ve got Classic clues on the line at Newbury with the Fred Darling and Greenham Stakes, while up at Ayr it’s all about stamina with the Scottish Grand National taking centre stage alongside a strong supporting card.

The Fred Darling and Greenham are always worth paying close attention to as Guineas trials, especially with a few unexposed types lining up, while the Scottish National is one of the toughest staying handicaps of the season and never easy to solve. Throw in the Scottish Champion Hurdle as well and there’s plenty to get stuck into.

Here are my ITV Racing tips and best bets for Saturday afternoon.

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ITV Racing (Saturday) tips

• Ayr 1.10 Le Nez Creux – 6/1 each way with Ladbrokes
• Newbury 1.25 Touleen – 15/8 with Ladbrokes NAP
• Ayr 1.45 Kdeux Saint Fray – 7/1 each way with bet365
• Newbury 2.00 Zavateri – 15/8 with bet365 NEXT BEST
• Ayr 2.20 Captain Hugo – 5/1 each way with Paddy Power
• Newbury 2.35 Pride Of Arras – 3/1 with Coral
• Ayr 2.55 Twistthenightaway – 10/3 with bet365
• Newbury 3.10 Shout – 10/1 each way with bet365
• Ayr 3.35 Montregard – 17/2 each way with Betfred

Joe’s best horse racing betting tips for ITV Racing on Saturday (18th April)

Find my top tips for Saturday 18th April 2026 racing with odds from the best horse racing bookies below:

Ayr 1.10 Scotty Brand Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (Class 1) 2m1/2f

Sans Bruit will likely be popular here after running such a big race at Cheltenham but this comes soon enough and that would have took quite a bit out of him.

French recruit LE NEZ CREUX looks better value on debut for Gavin Cromwell. He does well with these types and she comes here fresh having not run since November last year. She is the dark horse in the race and I fancy her to go close under Conor Stone-Walsh.

Palacio impressed winning by 5 lengths at Newbury last month and despite a 6lb rise could be the danger. At a bigger price Moudan won at Navan and then bumped into one at Fairyhouse so could get competitive as well.

Bet on LE NEZ CREUX each way at 6/1 with Ladbrokes

Newbury 1.25 Dubai Duty Free Stakes (Fred Darling Stakes) (Fillies’ Group 3) (Class 1) 7f

I’m looking forward to seeing TOULEEN out again for Owen Burrows. I know things didn’t go to plan at Newmarket but I’d be confident she is a lot better than that and she had previously beaten Zanthos which is a good indicator.

She has been given plenty of time and definitely still has potential so could prove a class apart on return.

No Nay Never filly Catching The Moon kept improving with experience as a 2yo winning her last two and she looks the type to improve again this term so I think she’ll give the favourite most to think about.

New Bay filly K Sarra impressed winning on debut and is another one to note.

Bet on TOULEEN to win at 15/8 with Ladbrokes

Ayr 1.45 CPMS Novices’ Champion Handicap Chase (Class 2) 3m20y

This is wide open as you’d expect and a chance is taken on KDEUX SAINT FRAY for Anthony Honeyball.

This 6yo is lightly raced and is better than he managed to show behind Meetmebythesea at the Cheltenham Festival last month. His third to Lookaway at Kempton prior to that was much better and he also beat Kim Roque earlier in the season which is strong form.

He should bounce back and run a big race here.

Diamond Dealer has been backed into favouritism and impressed winning at Kelso last month. His prep has been spot on and he should run well. Just Over Land was only beaten 4 lengths at Sandown and if bringing his best could land a blow in this too.

Bet on KDEUX SAINT FRAY each way at 7/1 with bet365

Newbury 2.00 Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) 7f

A lot of potential lining up for the Greenham as you’d expect and I’m sticking with ZAVATERI who went from strength to strength last season winning his first four starts before fourth behind Gewan in the Dewhurst.

He could do even better this season and this looks a good starting point for him. I know connections are bullish and he looks the one to side with.

Albert Einstein let backers down in Ireland on return but did shape like he’d improve for the run. He still has potential to be a very nice horse so looks the danger with a run under his belt. Title Role is another one going the right way and commands respect as well.

Bet on ZAVATERI to win at 15/8 with bet365

Ayr 2.20 Coral Scottish Champion Hurdle (Limited Handicap) (Grade 2) (Class 1) 2m

The way CAPTAIN HUGO travelled before knuckling down well to win the Morebattle Hurdle when last seen was impressive. He has won 3 from 5 over hurdles now and arrives here firmly on the upgrade. He is up 6lb but was value for more than the winning margin at Kelso and is a horse to keep on side for now.

Tellherthename is the gamble for the Skelton team and while she was down the field in the County it would be no surprise to see her bounce back with a big run here sporting a first-time hood. Tutti Quanti will appreciate these calmer waters and is another one expected to be on the premises.

Bet on CAPTAIN HUGO each way at 5/1 with Paddy Power

Newbury 2.35 Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes (John Porter Stakes) (Group 3) (Class 1) 1m4f

It is a shame we won’t see Constitution Hill but the ground could be rattling fast so you can understand why they are cautious about him running. It is wide open as a result and PRIDE OF ARRAS is the one I want to side with for Ralph Beckett.

He looked a horse going places beating Carmers in the Great Voltigeur and while he was held in Bahrain when last seen he still has potential to do better again.

Convergent will likely go off favourite for Karl Burke and having won his last two is definitely the form horse. Al Aasy is a 9yo now but still has plenty of class and is another one who could get competitive.

Bet on PRIDE OF ARRAS to win at 3/1 with Coral

Ayr 2.55 Jordan Electrics Ltd Seafield Trophy Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (Class 2) 3m1/2f

World Of Fortunes impressed winning in good style at Kelso when last seen but main rival Hollygrove Cha Cha stopped quickly on that occasion so I think the race cutup somewhat.

I prefer TWISTTHENIGHTAWAY here for Dan Skelton. She is eyeing up a hat-trick and has been targeted at this race so looks worth siding with.

Of the rest Love Of Neymore has been freshened up and if rediscovering her best form could get involved. Game Colours blew out at Sandown behind Mondo Man but did impress winning at Exeter prior to that so is another one to note.

Bet on TWISTTHENIGHTAWAY to win at 10/3 with bet365

Newbury 3.10 Win Unique Experiences At OLBG Prizes Spring Cup Handicap (Class 2) 1m (Str)

I can see SHOUT running well here at a double-figure price. He was given a lot to do in the Lincoln and was only beaten four lengths at the line. If he comes on physically from that he could definitely play a part in this.

The way he won at Ascot last season suggests there is plenty more to come from him this term.

Rogue Diplomat was only denied a nose in the Lincoln and had won four in a row previously so is definitely one to note in this. Classic also makes appeal at a big price as he has run well at this track in the past and is off an unchanged mark.

Bet on SHOUT each way at 10/1 with bet365

Ayr 3.35 Coral Scottish Grand National Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap) (Class 1) 3m7f176y

Time for the big one now and while Kim Roque is obvious I do think there could be some value in opposing. MONTREGARD catches the eye for Tom Lacey.

This 7yo has been huge progressive this season winning two of his four starts and he stayed on strongly to get back to winning ways at Ascot when last seen. I loved the way he travelled into that and he went through the line hard suggesting he can handle this trip as long as it doesn’t get too testing.

King Of Answers has also won two of his last four and ran a big race at the Cheltenham Festival last month so looks the danger.

Road To Home was only denied a neck to Ask Brewster last time out and is another one I couldn’t put you off siding with.

Bet on MONTREGARD each way at 17/2 with Betfred

My top tip for ITV Racing on Saturday

Another Super Saturday ahead and while the action is great over jumps at Ayr I’m sticking on the Flat at Newbury for the double with TOULEEN a strong fancy in the Fred Darling and ZAVATERI expected to make a winning return in the Greenham.

Bet a win double on TOULEEN and ZAVATERI at 7/1 with bet365

About the author

Joe Norris

I’m Joe Norris, co-founder and Director of GetYourTipsOut (GYTO), which I launched in 2009 to provide daily sports betting tips, with the main focus on horse racing. Over the years, I’ve earned a reputation for offering reliable and profitable tips, which led to being named “Best Sports Betting Tipster” in 2023. Alongside my work at GYTO, I also contribute predictions to platforms like Oddschecker, allowing me to share my insights with a wide community of sports enthusiasts and bettors.

Find Joe on X: @JoeNorrisGYTO

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