Owen’s ITV Outsiders! 40/1, 33/1 and 28/1 Selections (25th July)

It’s a huge day of racing on Saturday, with Ascot hosting one of the biggest races of the season, the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes. A Group 1 contest over the 1m 4f distance, Enable bids for another top-level success on her way back to the Arc, where history beckons.

There’s also superb racing from York, with the two venues having their best races broadcast on ITV. We’ll have ITV Racing Tips for every terrestrial race on Saturday, but I’ve gone looking from a different angle.

Trying to hunt out some huge prices who could out-run their lofty odds, here is Owen’s Outsiders for Saturday’s ITV races, as I look to build on 40/1 (Big Les) and 33/1 (Harold Shand) winners in recent weeks!

Prices are correct as of 6pm on Friday and are best priced at the time.

2.25 Ascot – Habub (40/1)

A four-time All-Weather winner, Habub has run just twice on the turf and should have some more to offer on the grass. He was making just his second appearance on the surface when down the field in the Buckingham Palace Handicap at Royal Ascot. He wasn’t disgraced that day, travelling up well to the two-furlong pole where he weakened in the softer ground.

Today’s better going should help matters and he’s unexposed on the grass, which could bring about further improvement. He sits on a workable mark based on his All-Weather exploits off higher ratings in the winter. If able to settle better on this occasion, there’s plenty of hope for a big effort.

3.00 Ascot – Ayr Harbour (33/1)

It’s still very early days for Ayr Harbour, who has run just eight times. A dual All-Weather winner earlier in the year, he’s shown plenty of promise in two runs since the lockdown. He was second off two pounds lower at Newcastle prior to a promising fifth at Newmarket, where he was slightly too keen early in the contest.

That was his turf debut, so he has the potential to improve on the surface, especially now he’s upped to the mile. He disappointed on his only previous attempt, but he’s certainly worth a go based on his best form over seven furlongs. He sneaks into the bottom of the handicap in this contest and should use that light-weight to good effect.

3.15 York – Silent Attack (28/1)

A comfortable winner at Lingfield three starts ago, Silent Attack nearly doubled up at the venue when second off two pounds higher back in February. He made his turf return when aimed at Royal Ascot’s Buckingham Palace Handicap, with a slow start putting pay to his chances early on.

This is a much easier contest and he’s been dropped two pounds by the handicapper. His best form has come in smaller fields so today’s nine-runner affair will play to his strengths far more. He’s ground versatile and he’s been steadily progressive since joining Tony Carroll, so the best could well be yet to come.