TV TIPS (SATURDAY)

We preview all the live ITV action this Saturday as we head to York, Sandown and Chester. 13:50 YORK

A typically competitive handicap at York. Dashing Darcey holds obvious claims dropping back to seven furlongs following a solid second-place finish at Haydock, but he could find the progressive Palmar Bay too strong. Ralph Beckett’s contender has showed improved form in both starts this season, finishing a creditable third at Southwell before scoring at Chelmsford. The booking of William Buick is a positive and he can follow-up back on the turf off a 3lb higher mark.

PALMER BAY (WIN)

(Sam King)

14:05 SANDOWN

Classic is a previous course winner and has form over the distance, Ryan Moore is given the call up for the first time on this Gelding and is likely to go well. Urban Lion was ahead of Classic at Newbury last time and is sure to be competitive again off just a 3lb rise. Balmacarra has finished second twice at Sandown over 10f, both times headed late on, the drop back to 8f could work the magic if he's able to bounce back from two below par efforts, has dropped back down to a mark of 100 which he was just beaten a neck off.

BALMACARRA (E/W)

(Liam Hall)

14:25 YORK

After going close here last time out it's safe to say Maghlaak looks to have a solid chance of going one better back on the Knavesmire. With the trainer and jockey teaming up to scoop this race two years ago they have a serious chance of doing so again.

The only horses who could put a 'fly in the ointment' looks to be the consistent Ocean Of Dreams who, at the age of four, has room to progress further, the lightly raced My Dream World and the David O'Meara trained Heathen.

MAGHLAAK (WIN)

(Rory Paddock)

14:40 SANDOWN

Coto De Caza is clear on ratings and arrives here having won three from five, signing off last season with victory in the Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes at Newmarket in October. That said, she was beaten by the reopposing Star Of Mehmas at Ayr three weeks before and while only beaten a length it’s possible she may come on for today’s run, handing the advantage to the Richard Hughes runner who has the benefit of a couple of recent outings and was only beaten a head at York last month.

Town And Country ran well for second in a Listed contest when last seen, a race where fourth has since won a Group 3, and with the promise of more to come looks a solid each way option.

STAR OF MEHMAS (WIN)

(Dean Kilbryde)

15.00 YORK

A few horses renewing rivalries here and the shape of the race may hinge whether the keen-going El Cordobes gets in to a duel with Al Qareem for the lead. Al Qareem actually battled back to pip Absurde last time out at Chester and is no forlorn hope despite the price discrepancy this time with Clifford Lee back aboard. Alsakib does seem to need a pace to aim at and a bit of cut helps but eventually beat Al Qareem over Course and Distance last season. The multi-talented Absurde will be popular for Willie Mullins and despite a Chester win the straight here may help. Potential morning thunderstorms may also impact the race! At the prices a chance is taken on Al Qareem each way with a bet on 2nd place if the field reduces to 4.

AL QAREEM (E/W)

(Alan Morris)

15:20 CHESTER

Jouncy takes on seven furlongs for the first time since the Acomb at York, last year. He’s been gelded and probably needed his first two runs of the year. However, there’s still question marks that he needs to answer, now in handicap company for the first time. Frankies Dream has been consistent and won well at York when last seen. If this isn’t too soon, then he has a chance. Milford was unlucky not to win at York, when giving a lot of weight away to his rivals. He will come on for that and could be hard to beat.

MILFORD (WIN)

(Kieran McHugh)

15:35 YORK

With so many runners entered for this three-year-old sprint contest, it's hard to be drastically confident about any of the field, but I'm pinpointing a duo who might be worth siding with.

One that could go well at bigger odds is the Richard Fahey-trained Columnist, who's been disappointing in both starts this season. He can be forgiven his last run as his chances disappeared at the start, and the time before it was clear the trip didn't suit. Having placed at Royal Ascot last year, he's clearly a classy animal and if returning to anything like his best form, could do far better than many might expect.

Trainer Charlie Hills has a good record here at York, and Double Rush could extend his winning run to three victories on the bounce. A solid win in a very competitive handicap last time out, he looks one of the horses to beat here and should be there or thereabouts.

Of the remainder, any horses trained by either William Haggas or Clive Cox demand utmost respect.

COLUMNIST (E/W)

DOUBLE RUSH (E/W)

(Rory Paddock)