Saturday ITV racing tips: Best free bets for Newbury and Newmarket on May 17

The Dante Festival is in the bag and the Derby Festival is looming large on the horizon. But first we have the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes (1435) at Newbury to deal with.

With the FA Cup later on Saturday afternoon, the racing shuffles it's start time forward a bit with the first race at Newbury going off at 12:50, so don't big dragging your heels placing your bets.

Let's begin with a quick run through of our ITV tips, with the reasons why we've picked them further down the page.

If you fancy a punt or two, visit Betway which will show you all the live odds, racecards and results.

Good luck and please gamble responsibly.

(Please be aware selections could become non-runners after article's latest update)

Saturday ITV tips:

12:50 (Newbury) Al Aasy

13:05 (Newmarket) Waleefy

13:25 (Newbury) Ides Of March

13:40 (Newmarket) Fondo Blanco

14:00 (Newbury) Saddadd

14:15 (Newmarket) Classic Encounter

14:35 (Newbury) Rosallion

12:50 (Newbury) Al Aasy

Al Aasy won this Group 3 Aston Park Stakes in 2021 and looked as good as ever at the age of eight winning the 1m2f G2 Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown on reappearance.

Stepping back up to 1m4f will not prove an issue and he can take his record to five wins from eight starts at this course.

The Harry Charlton-trained King's Gambit finished a decent fourth behind a seven-time G1 winner attempting a G3 in Qatar 91 days ago. May have more to offer in first-time blinkers.

Charlie Appleby trains the progressive El Cordobes who looked good among handicap company tackling this trip at Newmarket a fortnight ago. Cannot be ignored up in standard.

Sunway may come on for his returning third in the G3 Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes over course and distance.

13:05 (Newmarket) Waleefy

Waleefy was notably well supported for seasonal reappearance however disappointed.

Clearly felt capable of much better and is taken to make amends for William Haggas connections in the Read Meg Nicholls' Blog At Betmgm.Co.Uk Handicap.

Physique missed by just 0.75L tackling track and trip last time. Form claims on that effort and return here suits and is expected to go close.

Leadman finished 2.5L second at Newcastle when resuming. Shaped well that day and improvement anticipated.

Harvard Sound adopts first time cheekpieces. Could unlock further progression and with a good jockey booked is easy to fancy.

13:25 (Newbury) Ides Of March

Ides Of March posted an excellent effort in defeat when second behind former G1 winner Whistlejacket attempting the 6f Listed Irish Stallion Farms EBF Committed Stakes at Navan three weeks ago.

The unexposed Aidan O'Brien-trained sprinter could take a step forward from that and go one spot better in the Carnarvon Stakes.

Sayidah Dariyan impressed winning a 6f conditions race at Chelmsford and needs to be considered up in class.

Dropping back to 6f looks a good move for two-time Meydan winner Symbol Of Honour following his sixth-place finish in the Listed King Charles II Stakes at Newmarket.

Berkshire Whisper and Hold A Dream also need to be included.

13:40 (Newmarket) Fondo Blanco

Fondo Blanco went close to making a winning return missing by a nose at Doncaster as favourite. Switches to handicaps off nice looking mark and is expected to play a leading role in the Jcb Handicap.

Art Market went clear securing a 1.25L course and distance victory. Form boosted subsequently and may go back to back.

We Dare To Dream showed a great attitude when a neck winner at Beverley last time. Weight rise is manageable and these conditions to suit. Easy to fancy.

Original Outlaw holds each way claims making seasonal reappearance.

14:00 (Newbury) Saddadd

A typically competitive renewal of the Trade Nation London Gold Cup Handicap.

The Roger Varian-trained Saddadd encountered a potentially useful recruit when second over course and distance 36 days ago. Could prove nicely treated on handicap debut.

Top weight Nebras commands respect on the back of a good second in the Listed Newmarket Stakes earlier in the month.

Genealogy was last seen finishing fifth behind the current Epsom Derby favourite Delacroix in the G3 Autumn Stakes at Newmarket during October. Cannot be ignored up in trip making handicap debut.

Others to note are the unexposed duo of Ernst Blofeld and Wave Rider.

14:15 (Newmarket) Classic Encounter

Classic Encounter made a winning reappearance and followed that with another good effort beaten 1.75L second tackling track and trip.

Clearly thriving at present and finding a nice opportunity looks hard to oppose with confidence in the Bet 10 Get 40 With Betmgm Handicap.

Royal Velvet shaped with significant promise when a 1.75L fourth returning at Great Yarmouth. Can build upon that and give a better showing.

Good Morning Alex secured seventh career win producing a nose success at Ripon. Great winning record and no surprise were he to improve on that here.

Where's Freddy maintains a good record at the Newmarket tracks and rates a genuine threat to all.

14:35 (Newbury) Rosallion

The market could prove a good guide here with Rosallion making his belated reappearance in the Lockinge Stakes.

This Richard Hannon-trained colt looked top-class winning the 1m G1 St. James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot last June. Can make up for lost time here.

Booking Ryan Moore adds appeal to Dancing Gemini, who is two-from-two this season following a commanding success in the G2 Sandown Mile at Sandown last month.

Hero of the G1 2000 Guineas last year Notable Speech finished a solid third in the G1 Breeders Cup Turf Mile at Del Mar in November and could be in the mix returning to action.

Former G1 Sun Chariot Stakes winner Tamfana also needs to be included.

You can place a bet on all these races with Betway here.

READ MORE: Best strategies for successful horse racing betting

READ MORE: Nap of the Day - Today’s best free horse racing tips

READ MORE: Horse racing betting terminology

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