ITV Racing Lucky 15: Best Bets from Lingfield and Ascot

As ever, there is little let-up in the action once the flat season begins. Moving into May, and the first Classics of the season are in the rearview mirror. Following the exceptional performances from True Love and Bow Echo in the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas, attention now turns to June and the 1m4f showstoppers of the Derby and Oaks.

Thoughts of Epsom are very much to the fore in the ITV Racing selection this Saturday, with the Lingfield Trials Day fixture accounting for five of the nine live races on offer. Elsewhere, the Swinton Hurdle from Haydock provides something for National Hunt fans to sink their teeth into, while Ascot steps up to the plate with the big field handicap of the Victoria Cup.

With nine races from which to select, there is ample opportunity to enhance the entertainment with a Lucky 15 or two. Here at NewBettingSites.uk, we are lovers of a Saturday afternoon combo bet and will chance our arm with four selections in the biggest flat events on offer.

Best Betting Sites for ITV Racing

Flat or jumps, handicaps or Group 1 contests, you can rely on ITV Racing to provide a consistent stream of action throughout the season. Settling down in front of the TV on a Saturday afternoon has become a ritual for racing fans, many of whom back their judgement at the best new betting sites.

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Saturday 1:28 Lingfield – William Hill Oaks Trial Fillies’ Stakes

There is a common theme in the two trials from Lingfield, with both the Oaks and Derby Trials featuring an unbeaten Charlie Appleby-trained runner at the head of the market. Romantic Symphony is first up in this event as she steps up from Class 3 novice company. As a full sister to Group 1 winners Yibir and Wild Illusion, she looks the part on paper but is a little short of our liking.

In Cameo, she faces an Aidan O’Brien-trained, Ryan Moore-ridden rival who has already competed twice at a higher level than this, albeit without success. However, those outings came over 7f and a mile, and she looks the sort to take a big step forward now that she moves up in trip. Her half-brother Portland won a 1m4f Listed contest in 2024, and she is worth backing to follow suit.

• Recommended Bet - Cameo to win @ 3/1 with Livescore Bet

Saturday 1:58 Lingfield – William Hill Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes

Also 2 from 2 and stepping up from novice level, Maho Bay is the Godolphin runner who heads the market in the colts’ contest. By Dubawi and out of Le Pelosa, who won in Group 1 company over a mile, he is another likeable sort on paper. However, odds of 13/8 look on the short side for a horse the official handicapper rates as only the second best in the race.

For us, the standout piece of form belongs to Aidan O’Brien’s Isaac Newton. That effort came when staying on well from out of the pack to take fourth in the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud last season. He wasn’t quite up to that level on his return at Newmarket, but wouldn’t be the first O’Brien runner to improve for their comeback outing, and being by Camelot, he ought to relish this step up in trip.

• Recommended Bet - Isaac Newton @ 10/3 with Livescore Bet

Saturday 2:20 Ascot – Carey Group Victoria Cup

From the small field trials at Lingfield, our sole selection from Ascot comes in the 29-runner cavalry charge that is the Victoria Cup. Having claimed two 7f handicaps at Goodwood last season, the John & Thady Gosden-trained Mudbir has made his way to the head of the market. That Shadwell runner is closely followed by Defence Minister, who carries the colours of Wathnan Racing and won well at Kempton on his return. Both boast solid claims, but we just prefer another.

The one to be on for our money is the David Menusier-trained Tribal Chief. This one went into our notebook when finishing seventh in the Balmoral Handicap at this track on Champions Day. While beaten by 4½ lengths that day, his effort is worth upgrading considering he missed the break and was short of room at a crucial stage. 1lb lower for this assignment, and with Billy Loughnane taking over in the saddle, he is fancied to at least hit the frame.

• Recommended Bet - Tribal Chief each way @ 9/1 with Livescore Bet

Saturday 2:40 Lingfield – William Hill Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes

This looks a competitive affair at first glance, with Royal Velvet and Dash Of Azure making obvious appeal towards the head of the market. Kevin Ryan’s La Brodeuse would be our pick of those available at double-figure prices, having reached a decent level when based in France.

However, the more we look at this race, the more it appears that the market leader Copacabana Sands is the one they all have to beat. 5lbs and more clear of these rivals on ratings, she’s the only Group winner in the field, having landed the Barberstown Castle Stake when based with Michael O’Callaghan in Ireland. The big question is that this is her debut for Andrew Balding, having only joined the yard in April. However, with the Balding yard in fine form – eight winners already in May – we are prepared to take a chance on her fitness. The presence of the excellent Ryan Moore in the saddle provides further cause for optimism.

• Recommended Bet - Copacabana Sands to win @ 7/4 with Livescore Bet

A 50p each-way Lucky 15 on the above selections at the recommended prices returns £583.79 if all four horses win and £34.29 if all four only place.