ITV Racing Lucky 15: Best Bets from Goodwood, Haydock, and the Curragh

Saturday afternoon sees the ITV crew split their resources between Goodwood, Haydock, York, and the Curragh for a bumper afternoon of live action. A total of ten races feature on the menu, including six events rated at Listed level or above, headlined by the Group 1 Irish 2,000 Guineas.

There are a few short price favourites in the mix, but, for better or worse, we are prepared to take them on in this week’s Lucky 15. Here at NewBettingSites.uk, we pick out our best bets in four of the feature events, including the opening Classic of the Irish season.

Best Betting Sites for ITV Racing

There are many betting sites out there, but not all are created equal when it comes to the quality of their horse racing product. When selecting a site for our ITV Racing bets, the following all come close to the top of our list, in terms of value and features, and offer a rewarding sign-up bonus for good measure.

• Bet St George - Bet £10 to get £20 in Free Bets – Exclusive offer for Newbettingsites.uk readers, Use Code: B10G20
• Midnite - Bet £10 to get £30 in Free Bets
• Tote - Bet £10 to get £30 in Free Bets
• BetMGM - Bet £10 to Get £40 in Free Bets
• VirginBet - Bet £10 to get £30 in Free Bets

See the relevant sites for the full terms and conditions of all offers.

Saturday 2:00 Goodwood – British Stallion Studs EBF Cocked Hat Stakes

We kick things off in a race named in honour of an age-old event in which the jockeys were required to wear an assortment of military hats. Sadly, it will be standard jockey’s caps on show in a race which serves as the final trial ahead of the Epsom Derby. Not since Troy in 1979 has the winner gone on to win the Derby, but connections of this year’s contenders will hope that long wait comes to an end in 2026.

The unbeaten Saxon Street is the standout on this season’s form, having claimed the Listed Blue Riband Trial Stakes at Epsom last time out, but he is priced accordingly at a general 8/11. That was a fair effort, particularly as he ran as though he might improve for the outing. However, three of those who finished behind have done little to boost the form in their subsequent outings. An each-way punt on Del Maro makes more appeal. This one boasts rock-solid juvenile form, including a head second to Lingfield Derby Trial winner Maltese Cross and an unlucky-in-running third in the Group 3 Zetland Stakes. He managed only fourth in the Chester Vase, but the Charlie Appleby yard was under a cloud at the time. At 7/2, he is worth backing to cause a minor upset here.

• Recommended Bet - Del Maro @ 7/2 with BetMGM

Saturday 2:58 Haydock – William Hill Sandy Lane Stakes

Our second selection comes in the big event of the day for the three-year-old sprinters. Last sighted in the 1,000 Guineas, the Irish version of that race on Sunday may have been an option for Venetian Sun. However, having seemingly failed to stay the mile that day, she drops back to sprint trips to tackle this assignment. She is the one to beat on ratings, but she does need to prove she has trained on, which is just enough to make us look elsewhere.

Coppull, Division, and Brussels finished first, third, and sixth in the Commonwealth Cup Trial at Ascot last time and may be the three to concentrate on. We expect a better effort from the strapping Brussels, who could take a big step forward with that run under his belt, but the one to be on is Division. Still last at the furlong pole, James Doyle possibly overdid the waiting tactics in that Ascot event, while Division wasn’t helped by having to switch to the near side. However, he flew home once in the clear to go down by just half a length at the line. If able to time his finishing effort to better effect, he may go a couple of places better here.

• Recommended Bet - Division @ 11/4 with BetMGM

Saturday 3:30 Haydock – William Hill Temple Stakes

Remaining at Haydock for Group 2 sprinting action, we move down to the minimum 5f trip for the Temple Stakes. Wathnan Racing have a realistic shot at a big race double with the trailblazing Night Raider, who arrives on the back of a career best win in the Palace House Stakes. A repeat of that effort should see him go close. However, if there is one division in which we are reluctant to take a single-figure price, it is the sprint division, with these Group-class contests remarkably vulnerable to a surprise result.

Shagraan and Asfoora boast obvious claims on their best form but also feature prominently in the market. Of those available at bigger prices, 2025 winner Mgheera is tempting, but we just prefer the William Haggas filly, First Instinct. While only ninth in the Palace House Stakes, she was stuck out wide for much of that contest and away from where the main action unfolded. Likely to take a step forward from that seasonal return, she is a course winner and boasts form figures of 1-2-1 over 5f on good or good to soft ground.

• Recommended Bet - First Instinct @ 12/1 with BetMGM

Saturday 3:40 Curragh – Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas

The big Group 1 on the ITV menu comes from Ireland with the 2026 edition of the Irish 2,000 Guineas. Already the most successful trainer in the history of the race, Aidan O’Brien is odds-on to extend his record with Gstaad. Last sighted finishing second in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, with an eight-length gap back to the third; he boasts outstanding claims, as odds of 4/9 suggest.

As appealing as the market leader is, we are willing to give a second chance to Charlie Appleby’s Distant Storm, who started as joint favourite at Newmarket, but could only manage a one-paced third. Whilst disappointing at first glance, to finish third in a Classic at a time when his yard couldn’t buy a winner was probably an excellent effort. His juvenile form certainly reads well, with a verdict over Constitution River, who is currently the third favourite for the Epsom Derby, and a closing third behind Gewan and Gstaad in the Dewhurst Stakes over 7f. With the Appleby yard firing once more, Distant Storm is fancied to at least make a race of this.

• Recommended Bet - Distant Storm @ 4/1 with BetMGM

A 50p each-way Lucky 15 on the above selections at the recommended prices returns £1251.09 if all four horses win and £44.66 if all four only place.