ITV Racing Tips: A Couple Of Selections As Guineas Festival Begins

The ITV Racing steers in favour of flat fans this time of year, and with a heatwave sweeping the country it seems the perfect time to head back to Newmarket. There are also a few races set to be televised at Goodwood, but Billy Grimshaw's two best bets are both from flat racing headquarters...

14:20 Newmarket

The first race on Friday that is set to be televised is a Listed race over seven furlongs and as boring as it may be, I cannot see past the favourite COSMIC YEAR and think anything north of evens is value for this supremely talented colt in the Juddmonte colours. It could of course be a glorious weekend for the ownership outfit as their Field Of Gold has an outstanding chance and is favourite in Saturday's feature, the 2000 Guineas, and Cosmic Year should have enough in the tank to give them a dream start to the festival.

He was seen once as a two year old and won in a canter at Kempton, beating an odds-on Amo Racing favourite in facile fashion and looking the consummate professional despite his tender years and experience. That race has worked out so a wide margin win meant much was expected of him on seasonal debut last time out at Kempton and he duly obliged again with Oisin Murphy once again having very little to do on his back. Ryan Moore takes over today and is the best rider in the world, so that is no bad thing, and even though this is the toughest assignment Harry Charlton's star colt has faced, I don't see anything being able to trouble him.

His draw in three would worry some but with Moore in the plate and with the horse looking so easy to ride in his two outings I can't see that low draw being too great an issue and while he wouldn't want to dawdle, I can see him cruising up the iconic course while the rest do battle before he pulls away in taking style to land this race and move on to bigger and better things. Symbol Of Honour for Godolphin probably rates the main danger and should enjoy both the drying ground and this step up in trip, but I can't see him living with a peak form Cosmic Year and I'm hopeful we see something quite special from the market leader. He's the NAP of the day.

14:55 Newmarket

DANTE'S LAD could well have a new lease on life having recently moved to George Boughey, a trainer who has become synonymous with improving these stable switchers. The Wooton Bassett gelding was not exactly in need of a switch or anything to improve him on bare form with Joseph O'Brien in Ireland, with his debut third behind two smart Aidan O'Brien colts working out well and although he was beaten as 5/4 favourite next time out at Gowran, that race has also worked out well with the winner in particular impressing.

He did disappoint next time out, on what would be his last of three runs for Joseph, in ninth at the Curragh but was then abruptly switched to Boughey and got his first win in decent enough fashion on the AW at Kempton in November. He did well to win that day, albeit the race was nowhere near as competitive as his assignments in Ireland, but Boughey has clearly decided he's a tough horse to train and has gelded him. This is his first run since that operation and if it has eked out some improvement, I think he should be closer to the market leaders in the odds for this race given his back class.

Spectacular View does set the standard and deserves to be favourite for Godolphin, Buick and Appleby given his lenient enough looking mark - this is a team that have a good record in this race winning 3 of the last 9 - but Dante's Lad's form is arguably of a similar level and they are off the same mark here.