ITV Racing Tips on August 16th - Sunday Series tips for Pontefract and the Curragh

Jon Vine

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Last updated: Sat 15 Aug 2026 14:55

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Free tips for the ITV races on Sunday 16th August
Sunday Series feature on the ITV Racing schedule
Magic Basma and Armor Supreme feature in our selections

Pontefract racecourse. (Getty)

Sunday's Tips

ITV Racing Schedule
4:15pm Pontefract - Fillies' Handicap Tips
4:45pm Pontefract - Flying Fillies' Stakes Tips
4:55pm Curragh - Juvenile Sprint Stakes Tips
5:45pm Pontefract - Sky Bet Build A Bet Handicap Tips
6:15pm Pontefract - Sky Bet Extra Places Handicap Tips

The Sunday Series rolls into Pontefract this weekend, and ITV Racing will be showing the Flying Fillies' Stakes card in its entirety. We'll also enjoy a trio of competitive races from the Curragh, including the Group Three Royal Whip Stakes.

Here are my best betting tips for Sunday's ITV races at Pontefract and the Curragh.

ITV Racing Schedule

Time	Track	Title
3:45pm	Pontefract	Enter ITV7 For Free EBF Novice Stakes (Class 3) 6f
3:55pm	Curragh	Tote Guarantee, Never Beaten By SP Handicap 1m2f
4:15pm	Pontefract	Sky Bet For The Fans Fillies' Handicap (Class 3) 1m
4:25pm	Curragh	Newbridge Silverware Royal Whip Stakes (Group 3) 1m2f
4:45pm	Pontefract	EBF Sky Bet Club Flying Fillies' Stakes (Listed Race) 6f
4:55pm	Curragh	William Hill Irish EBF Juvenile Sprint Stakes (Listed Race) 5f
5:15pm	Pontefract	Sky Bet Price Boosts Handicap (Class 3) 1m2f
5:25pm	Curragh	Bet With Tote On Racing & Sports Handicap 5f
5:45pm	Pontefract	Sky Bet Build A Bet Handicap (Class 2) 5f
6:15pm	Pontefract	Sky Bet Extra Places Handicap (Class 3) 2m1f
6:45pm	Pontefract	Sky Bet Proud To Support Young Lives Vs Cancer Handicap (Class 3) 6f

ITV Racing Tips - Sunday 16th August

4:15pm Pontefract - Fillies' Handicap Tips

I'm happy to give another chance to DARZAH (9/2), as she meets Luna Celeste for the third time in as many starts.

William Haggas' filly came from off the pace to beat Luna Celeste at Newmarket two starts back, where she was giving the runner-up four pounds at the weights. Tom Marquand then rode Darzah close up behind her rival at Nottingham, and Haggas' filly dropped away tamely as Luna Celeste ploughed on to claim an impressive victory.

The two will clash off level weights for the first time on Sunday, and I expect Cieren Fallon will revert to the more patient tactics which worked so well on the July Course. Luna Celeste will have competition for the lead from Quisana and Two B Tanned, and a fast pace should help the quirky Darzah settle into contention.

4:45pm Pontefract - Flying Fillies' Stakes Tips

America Queen looks pretty solid at the head of the betting for Sunday's Listed feature. At the prices, I'd rather chance the other Jaber Abdullah-owned runner, MAGIC BASMA (10/1), who finished a good second to Rosy Affair in this race 12 months ago.

Kevin Ryan's filly has been banging on the door in Listed races this term. Magic Basma was again beaten into second by Rosy Affair when the two met in the Cecil Frail at Haydock, and has since suffered one-length defeats in the Queen Of Scots at Musselburgh and the Queen Charlotte Fillies' Stakes at Chester.

Magic Basma has been drawn widest of all in stall 11 on Sunday, which isn't ideal given the characteristics of this sprint track. However, Rosy Affair managed to win from that gate 12 months ago, and Magic Basma is classy enough to score at this level.

4:55pm Curragh - Juvenile Sprint Stakes Tips

Fillies have an excellent recent record in this juvenile sprint, and I'm keen on the chances of ARMOR SUPREME (4/1) following a favourable low draw in stall two.

I fancied Diego Dias' filly in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot, following two promising runs in the spring. Armor Supreme won well on debut at Goodwood, and was only beaten a head by Love A Giggle in the Marygate Fillies' Stakes at York.

Armor Supreme could never really get into the Queen Mary, and eventually crossed the line in ninth, some four lengths adrift of Victorious. The form of that Group Two has been working out well since, though, and Dias has freshened his juvenile up for this assignment.

arklow epsom — Vintage Clarets finishing second to Arklow Lad in the Dash at Epsom. (Getty)

5:45pm Pontefract - Sky Bet Build A Bet Handicap Tips

VINTAGE CLARETS (8/1) has been putting in some good work of late, and the Faheys' old boy seems to have been overlooked in the market.

Ethan Tindall gave Vintage Clarets a cracking ride when the two were touched off by Arklow Lad in the Dash at Epsom. Fahey's seven-year-old was then only beaten a length behind a proper course specialist at Chester, and was last seen staying on well from the rear to finish seventh behind Twilight Calls in a large-field handicap at Glorious Goodwood.

Vintage Clarets wins at least once every season, and his sole victory last season came at this time of year. Tindall is good value for his five-pound claim, and Vintage Clarets remains nine pounds lower than his last winning mark.

6:15pm Pontefract - Sky Bet Extra Places Handicap Tips

CAMPEONA (15/8) has all the hallmarks of a typical Sir Mark Prescott improver, and the favourite is impossible to oppose in this 2m1f handicap.

Luke Morris' mount showed nothing in several one-mile maidens, and immediately finished second on her handicap debut over a mile-and-a-half. Campeona has since racked up a hat-trick, winning well over 14 furlongs at Bath, before back-to-back two-mile wins at Newbury and Lingfield.

Prescott's filly still looked a little ungainly at Lingfield, but found plenty in the closing stages to clock an RPR of 81. Campeona remains on an official mark of just 73, and she's seemed to relish this sort of ground during her winning sequence.

Verdict

Sunday Series Tips at Pontefract and the Curragh

Sunday's ITV Tips:

Campeona

6:15pm Pontefract

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Armor Supreme

4:55pm Curragh

@4/1 - 5 Units

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Darzah

4:15pm Pontefract

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Vintage Clarets

5:45pm Pontefract

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