Racing Tips · Friday, 9 October 2026

John O'Keeffe's ITV Racing

John O'Keeffe selects nine horses from today's ITV racing at Newmarket, York and Chepstow.

John O'Keeffe

Racing Tipster

John O'KeeffeITV RacingITV RACING TIPS

• 13:15 Newmarket

  Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project Cornwallis Stakes (Group 3)

  5f | Class 1 | Good

  Flann Sunna 5/2

  William Buick/Simon & Ed Crisford

  Live price from 7Bet

  FLANN SUNNA looks well suited to a strongly run Cornwallis Stakes and could have the race set up perfectly for his finishing speed. Simon and Ed Crisford's colt produced an excellent effort when third in the Group 2 Flying Childers at Doncaster, despite being hampered at the start and racing keenly behind the leaders. He still finished strongly, suggesting there could be more to come over the minimum trip. His earlier victory over 6f at Ascot also demonstrated his ability, but dropping to 5f appears to have sharpened his prospects. With several rivals likely to force a strong early pace, William Buick should be able to settle him just behind the leaders before producing his challenge. With proven Group 2 form, a favourable pace scenario and Buick aboard, Flann Sunna looks capable of going two places better.

  

  Flann Sunna

  13:15 Newmarket

  Best Odds5/2
• 13:50 Newmarket

  Godolphin Lifetime Care Oh So Sharp Stakes (Group 3)

  7f | Class 1 | Good

  Sweltering 6/1

  Oisin Murphy/Andrew Balding

  Live price from Midnite

  SWELTERING looks a filly with a bright future and could be seriously underestimated stepping into Group 3 company after an impressive novice victory. She barely had to come off the bridle when winning by more than four lengths last time, recording a useful time and giving the impression there was plenty left in the tank. The manner of that success suggests she is capable of much better than the bare form. Her pedigree adds considerable weight to that argument. She is a half sister to Holloway Boy and Humidity, both winners of the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot who subsequently proved themselves in stronger company. There is clearly plenty of ability in the family, and Sweltering could be another smart performer. This represents a significant rise in class, but she arrives with an unexposed profile and the potential to improve considerably. At around 8/1, Sweltering looks an interesting alternative to the more fashionable stables and could make her presence felt in the Oh So Sharp Stakes.

  

  Sweltering

  13:50 Newmarket

  Best Odds6/1
• 14:05 York

  British Ebf £100,000 Final (colts And Geldings)

  7f | Class 2 | Good To Soft

  Capitano Josepi 9/2

  Jack Mitchell/Kevin & Lauren Frost

  Live price from 7Bet

  CAPITANO JOSEPI looks an exciting prospect after overcoming plenty of trouble to make a winning debut at Yarmouth, and there could be considerably more to come. The son of Blackbeard attracted strong market support before that first appearance and showed plenty of determination to justify it. He was left with plenty to do at a crucial stage but finished powerfully to get up in the final stride, suggesting he had more ability than the narrow winning margin indicated. That experience should stand him in good stead in this valuable £100,000 contest, particularly as he has already shown he can respond under pressure. His sire Blackbeard has also made an encouraging start with his early runners, adding further interest to his progressive profile. This is a much tougher assignment, but Capitano Josepi looks well above average and should improve significantly for that first outing. If he takes the expected step forward, he could be a serious contender.

  

  Capitano Josepi

  14:05 York

  Best Odds9/2
• 14:25 Newmarket

  Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards Challenge Stakes (Group 2)

  7f | Class 1 | Good

  Flora of Bermuda 13/8

  James Doyle/Andrew Balding

  Live price from 10 Bet

  FLORA OF BERMUDA looks the one to beat in the Challenge Stakes after another excellent performance in Group 2 company at Doncaster last month. Andrew Balding's filly has been a model of consistency this season, winning three times and proving particularly effective over seven furlongs. She was beaten only by More Thunder in the Park Stakes last time, finishing strongly behind a rival who has also gone close at Group 1 level. That form sets a high standard here and the switch to Newmarket's Rowley Mile could bring out even more. She has enough tactical speed to hold her position and should appreciate a track that places greater emphasis on pace than Doncaster. Her record outside Group 1 company is particularly impressive, while Timeform has her 2lb clear of the field on weight adjusted ratings. With proven form at this level, an excellent record over seven furlongs and James Doyle aboard, Flora Of Bermuda looks well placed to add another Group victory to her record.

  

  Flora of Bermuda

  14:25 Newmarket

  Best Odds13/8
• 14:40 York

  William Hill Finale Handicap Stakes (gbbplus Race)

  1m6f | Handicap | Class 2 | Good To Soft

  Gaspacho 5/1

  Joanna Mason/William Haggas

  Live price from 7Bet

  GASPACHO looks capable of another big run at York, with his progressive profile suggesting there could be more improvement to come. He has shown enough this season to suggest he is developing into a useful handicapper, and there is plenty to like about his chances in a competitive contest where several rivals have questions to answer. He still looks to be going the right way and, with further improvement possible, Gaspacho gets the vote.

  

  Gaspacho

  14:40 York

  Best Odds5/1
• 14:57 Newmarket

  Bet365 Fillies' Mile (Group 1)

  1m | Class 1 | Good

  Musical Times 4/7

  William Buick/Charlie Appleby

  Live price from 7Bet

  MUSICAL TIMES looks a class above her rivals in the Fillies' Mile and can maintain her unbeaten record after a devastating performance at Doncaster last time. Charlie Appleby's filly has won all three career starts and looked something special when stepping up to a mile in the Group 2 May Hill Stakes. She travelled strongly before powering clear to win by an astonishing 7½ lengths, suggesting there is considerably more to come. That performance established her as one of the leading juvenile fillies in training and she already sets a clear standard on official ratings. The combination of her natural speed and proven stamina over a mile should make her particularly difficult to beat on Newmarket's Rowley Mile. The quicker ground is the one question, having produced her best performance on good to soft, but there is nothing in her progressive profile to suggest she cannot handle a sounder surface. With William Buick retaining the ride and Appleby's unbeaten filly improving with every start, Musical Times looks capable of taking the step up to Group 1 company in her stride.

  

  Musical Times

  14:57 Newmarket

  Best Odds4/7
• 15:12 Chepstow

  DragonBet 'Welsh Champion' Hurdle Race (A Limited Handicap) (GBB Race)

  2m | Handicap | Class 2 | Good To Soft

  Gibbs Island 7/1

  Stan Sheppard/Tom Lacey

  Live price from 10 Bet

  GIBBS ISLAND looks capable of making another winning return at Chepstow, having produced an impressive performance at this meeting 12 months ago. The five year old clearly goes well fresh and, crucially, returns from the same handicap mark as last season's successful reappearance. That gives him a particularly interesting profile in a competitive Welsh Champion Hurdle where several leading contenders are returning from lengthy breaks. Captain Hugo and Le Beau Madrik are obvious dangers, but Gibbs Island has already shown he can produce a big performance at this time of year. With proven course form and a potentially workable mark, he looks capable of making his presence felt once again.

  

  Gibbs Island

  15:12 Chepstow

  Best Odds7/1
• 15:30 Newmarket

  Bet365 Old Rowley Cup Handicap Stakes (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPlus Race)

  1m4f | Handicap | Class 2 | Good

  Archers Bay 3/1

  Ryan Moore/Marco Botti

  Live price from 10 Bet

  ARCHERS BAY looks particularly well treated for the Old Rowley Cup and has a cracking chance of adding another valuable handicap to his record. Marco Botti's three year old has enjoyed an excellent campaign, winning twice and proving himself over this course and distance. He was particularly impressive when scoring under Ryan Moore at the Shergar Cup before running another solid race at Newmarket, finishing third despite covering extra ground. His latest effort was arguably even better, chasing home Fortitudine in Listed company over this same 1m4f trip. That performance has earned him a revised rating of 105, but crucially, the early closing conditions allow him to race from just 100, leaving him effectively 5lb well in. That is a significant advantage in a competitive handicap, particularly for a horse who has already shown he handles Newmarket's demanding finish. Ryan Moore also returns to the saddle, having partnered him to victory at Ascot in August. He has to carry top weight, but his recent Listed form suggests he is capable of competing at a higher level than this. With proven course and distance form, a favourable position at the weights and Moore back aboard, Archers Bay looks the one they all have to beat.

  

  Archers Bay

  15:30 Newmarket

  Best Odds3/1
• 15:43 Chepstow

  DragonBet Persian War Novices' Hurdle Race (Grade 2) (GBB Race)

  2m3½f | Class 1 | Good To Soft

  Cosmic Connection 11/8

  Freddie Gordon/Chris Gordon

  Live price from 10 Bet

  COSMIC CONNECTION looks capable of making a winning return in the Persian War Novices' Hurdle after developing into a progressive and remarkably tough performer last season. Chris Gordon's gelding rounded off his campaign with an excellent victory in the valuable novice handicap final at Sandown, showing plenty of determination to get the job done. That performance suggested he had the ability to make his mark beyond handicap company, particularly over a trip that places an emphasis on stamina. The step into Grade 2 company demands more, but there is plenty to like about his profile. He has already shown he can cope with competitive races and looks the type who will keep finding when others begin to struggle. Lord Byron brings strong juvenile form into the contest and deserves respect, but Cosmic Connection has the advantage of proven experience in demanding handicap company and could still have more improvement to come. The 167 day absence is the obvious question, although Chris Gordon has had plenty of time to prepare him for this assignment. With Freddie Gordon taking the ride and his stamina likely to prove an asset over the extended 2m3f, Cosmic Connection looks capable of making a serious impact.

  

  Cosmic Connection

  15:43 Chepstow

  Best Odds11/8

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