TV TIPS (SATURDAY)

We preview every live race shown on ITV this Saturday including the Irish 2,000 Guineas from the Curragh. 13:15 HAYDOCK

If the ground was on the softer side it'd be hard not to follow the likes of Lattam, Dashing Darcey and Kindest Nation but with the ground set to be firmer you can ignore the chances of the aforementioned trio.

At an each way price Blue For You produced a solid third at this venue two starts back and a repeat of that effort could see him go close once again.

The ultra-consistent top-weight No Retreat produced some fantastic results over in Meydan and this looks a less competitive affair than the races he competed in over the winter. Making his debut for trainer George Scott he can produce further improvement and looks the one to beat.

Noticeable contenders are course and distance winner Candonomore and last time out victor Great Chieftain.

NO RETREAT (E/W)

BLUE FOR YOU (E/W)

(written by Rory Paddock)

13:30 GOODWOOD

A competitive race with many holding good credentials. Rare Change bids for his third successive win and his stable are going well. He also has a good draw to aid his claim. However, you would be concerned by his record at Goodwood, failing to score in three visits. Best Rate was a nose behind Rare Change at York, and he enjoys the seven-furlong trip. He can’t be discounted. That being said, the vote goes for Mr Chaplin. He drops in class for his seasonal reappearence, his first since being gelded, and is a course and distance winner. He is no stranger to a big field and has form behind some big names.

MR CHAPLIN (WIN)

(written by Kieran McHugh)

13:50 HAYDOCK

King Casper won here at Haydock last season and proved he had trained on with an impressive three length victory over the re-opposing Transparent at Newmarket on return last month. He looks progressive however has gone up 9lbs for that effort and disappointed the only time he’s encountered slightly slower going so with the threat of rain pre-race he looks vulnerable today.

Teroomm has already won twice in lower grades so far this season and could still have plenty more to offer now pitched in to handicap company, albeit is untried on anything other than fast ground so is another who may not appreciate the forecast rain.

Humam ran well when making the frame in two races on slower ground towards the back end of last season and has shown some solid form on the AW over the winter, winning twice. The step up to a mile is expected to suit and any rain would be a bonus so if the clouds roll in then he looks the most likely to take advantage.

HUMAM (E/W)

(written by Dean Kilbryde)

14:10 BEVERLEY

Having won three of the four two-year-old races at Beverley so far this season, it’s hardly surprising to see Nick Bradley Racing with three leading chances in this year’s Hilary Needler. Run over the fast-five, the unbeaten Ali Shuffle looks to have the right credentials. A winner over course and distance second up, the daughter of the speedy A'ali looked value for more than the length winning margin when making all in Chester’s valuable Lilly Agnes Stakes. She can make it four from four here, although Saucy Jane, who finished fourth in the Listed Marygate Stakes at York recently, commands respect for the same connections. Angel Numbers impressed on debut at Chepstow recently and is worth noting from gate one.

ALI SHUFFLE (WIN)

(written by Sam King)

14:25 HAYDOCK

Running Lion is the class act here, and on her day would be too good for these. Unfortunately her “days” are becoming increasingly difficult to predict.

Diamond Rain could arguably fit into a similar category to Running Lion, as in which version of her are we going to get. It’s interesting that Godolphin feel there’s unfinished business with her, and she did go off a short enough price for the Ribblesdale last summer.

Francophone and Ambiente Amigo will run honest races, however the vote goes to the “dark horse” Tasmania.

This mare has some serious form in France, and wasn’t discredited in the Pretty Polly at the Curragh. 

Sir Mark wouldn’t be pitching her in here if he didn’t think she had a viable chance.

TASMANIA (WIN)

(written by Matt Polley)

14:45 BEVERLEY

Likely favourite Naval Light goes for a trainer in red hot form, especially with his two year olds but he'd have to be high class to win this on debut and his inexperience could catch him out. Straight Ahead is likely best watched also with being a debutant. Old Is Gold was third on debut at Ascot, winner was defying a penalty. Ice Cold Alex, Raakeb and Tropical Dreamer all made winning debuts. Tropical Dreamers form has been boosted by the third who has since come out and won. Raakeb has some fancy sales entries as the Hannon two year olds often have but Ice Cold Alex may go under the radar being out of the Ollie Pears yard but the runner up behind him at Pontefract has since won and been fourth in a York listed race which is the best form in the book, he was sharp out of the gates on debut travelling smoothly, with a favourable draw he could be perfectly positioned to win this.

ICE COLD ALEX (WIN)

(written by Liam Hall)

15:00 HAYDOCK

Very difficult race at Haydock given the weather being an unknown and how much rain there will be. Add in you never really know what the ground will play like at Haydock and how much they water. 

Powerful Glory is unbeaten and lightly raced. But he is perhaps lacking race sharpness compared to others. This is a step up. Symbol Of Honour has won at meydan (never sure how strong that form can be.) However if it got soft I'd be concerned possibly. 

My chance is with Arizona Blaze who won last time out in France where it was described good to soft. So if the cut in the ground appeared I'd think he'd be able to handle it. Does have a bit of back form to back it up and along with being race fit. Looks a solid each way option.

ARIZONA BLAZE (E/W)

(written by Luke Tucker)

15:15 GOODWOOD

Queen of Thieves was beaten in the Cheshire Oaks by the smart Ballydoyle prospect Minnie Hauk at Chester last week, the John Gosden trained Frankel filly faded but will be seeking redemption here after previously winning well at Yarmouth over a further two furlongs than this trip. Trad Jazz was in a good vein of form with two solid wins at Kempton over this distance prior to a bold effort in the Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket behind the Oaks bound winner. The Sea Moon filly drops down in trip and is still entered for the fillies Epsom Classic. I believe this contest will serve as viable Listed winning alternative for those that may not line up in the classic next month. Sean Bowen is booked for James Bowen and for me is a sound contender. At the time of writing double figure odds gives value in this hotly contested prize upon the Sussex Downs.

TRAD JAZZ (E/W)

(written by John Arnold)

15:30 HAYDOCK

American Affair may have never competed in races at this level but he deserves his chance after a very impressive victory at York last week. Despite the less than advantageous draw and poor start he flew home to pick up the win. With a good break he could surprise a few and show he's a serious group race contender.

French import Mgheera did well to win when making her UK debut for new trainer Ed Walker and this better ground shouldn't be an issue. Holds a very strong chance.

At bigger prices She's Quality, Grande Marques and Twilight Calls can outrun their odds and potentially pick up some prize money.

AMERICAN AFFAIR (WIN)

(written by Rory Paddock)

15:40 CURRAGH

The Irish 2,000 Guineas takes centre stage this weekend and looks a great renewal with all nine runners having a solid chance and are deserving of their place in the Group 1 contest.

Based on the betting, clear favourite and 2,000 Guineas runner-up Field Of Gold looks the one to beat. Proven at this level and wasn't far away at Newmarket earlier in the month. A repeat of that effort should be enough to see him back to winning ways, but at a current odds on price, he doesn't represent much value. The most likely victor, but from a punting aspect, it might be worth looking elsewhere.

Trainer Aiden O'Brien has a great record in this race but his hand doesn't seem as strong in this renewal. Officer is the choice of top jockey Ryan Moore but despite winning last time out his form doesn't look half as strong as some of his rivals. His third two starts back was disappointing and it's Comanche Brave who, despite being the rank outsider makes the most appeal of the Ballydoyle trio. A close second behind stablemate Henri Mattise was a solid run when last seen and he's likely to relish this step up to a mile. We've seen this yard win major Group 1's with their lesser fancied runners in the past and I wouldn't rule him out.

Another at a bigger price not to ignore is Rashabar. Brian Meehan's charge has never finished outside of the top three and won at Royal Ascot last year. He'll manage any ground and went close in two Group 1's in France. More than capable at this level and although he's not the most prolific he's got the talent to finish in the money.

The best chance of an Irish trained winner is Hotazhell who was last seen winning the Futurity Stakes at Doncaster last time. He's got a serious chance but the only negative is the lack of a recent run brings his fitness into question. Likely to go close but may find one too good.

Of the remainder the unbeaten Cosmic Year should make any punters shortlist.

COMANCHE BRAVE (E/W)

RASHABAR (E/W)

(written by Rory Paddock)