TV TIPS (SATURDAY)

Live ITV action from Haydock, Kempton and ascot this Saturday and the Racing Daily teams previews every race and gives their top tips.

13:35 KEMPTON

Tasmania is an interesting runner, stepped back up in trip. That should suit her, and it will be interesting to see how she goes. Giavellotto has won both his starts on the All-Weather and tasted top level success in a good race at Sha Tin. He’s ran with credit at Meydan and Epsom since. It would be a big shock if he won today, but it’s not out of the equation. However, if he is to do so, he’ll have to trump the current favourite for the Arc, Kalpana. She won this race last year and has been on the podium for her last three Group One performances. If all roads lead to Paris, they must start here.

KALPANA (WIN)

(Kieran McHugh)

13.50 HAYDOCK

Publish will most certainly be popular, but two horses at bigger prices look to have live chances.

Shayem won over this course despite being very green. The extra furlong should suit, and he’s open to improvement.

The other, He’s Waliim is the selection. He turns out quickly after being slightly disappointing in the Solario last weekend. That in itself is interesting that the yard are willing to go again so soon, and this flatter track should suit.

HE’S WALIIIM (WIN)

(Matt Polley)

14:05 KEMPTON

A competitive looking affair on paper but a duo standout head and shoulders above the rest. The lightly raced Sky Safari who’s unbeaten in three starts on the all-weather including two course and distance victories. He’s gone up 5lbs for his most recent success and this is a marked step up in opposition but with Oisin Murphy booked for the ride there’s very little to suggest he can’t add another success to his tally and remain unbeaten on an artificial surface,

The only horse who could stop the likely market favourite has a record of three wins and one second from five course starts. Local Hero hasn’t been at his best on turf so should relish a return to the all-weather and now resides off a very attractive mark. The Richard Hannon yard are in form and the fellow four-year-old has the benefit of a low draw. It’s tough to split the pair so it might be worth backing them both,

Dragon Icon looks best of the rest and could fill the rest of the placings.

SKY SAFARI (WIN)

LOCAL HERO (E/W)

(Rory Paddock)

14:25 HAYDOCK

Valicancy wasn’t far behind Polestar over this course and distance when last seen and aims to go one better this time around. Has a solid chance, despite the 2lb rise in weight and looks a lively contender.

Way Of Stars was only a short head back in fourth in the same race and has also gone up 2lbs for that performance. Should also be on any shortlist,

Trainer Harry Charlton isn’t having the best of times with his horses but that could change here with Gran Descans who was a staying on second on the all-weather in their most recent run. It looked as if this extended trip would suit and with the eye-catching booking of William Buick is taken to make the frame once more.

Of the remainder hat trick seeking Circus Of Rome and Irish raider Winston Junior also hold strong claims.

GRAN DESCANS (E/W)

(Rory Paddock)

14:40 ASCOT

Perhaps the hardest race of the day to call, not just because of the 20 runner field, but because the race is filled with horses that seem to have been “also rans” when it comes to similar big runner handicaps. With the rain already falling and the likelihood that it won’t dry by the off time it’s key to be on the hunt for horses who are guaranteed to act on the softer ground.

Array’s last victory came in the Group 2 Mill Reef on heavy ground but that came as a two-year-old and after 18 months on the sidelines he’s not looked the same horse. He’s also seemed to be less than impressed with the seven furlong trip and might need to return to six to see him at his best but at a current huge price he’s still a tempting proposition purely on value alone.

Akkadian Thunder finished four places ahead of Array here last time out when going off the clear favourite. Was well fancied that day and hung in the closing stages and duly disappointed. He can be forgiven that effort and having finished second on two of his four course and distance starts clearly enjoys the track and trip. He’s also gone well on softer ground so shouldn’t be put off by conditions. Ethan’s likely to find one or two too good but could sneak make the frame.

Telemark isn’t the most prolific but with a liking for underfoot conditions and now off a workable mark could also go well.

Native Warrior went well at Goodwood last time out after winning at Newcastle the time before. Clearly a horse in form but with question marks over the ground he’s not the most attractive betting proposition as he’s likely to go off the short-priced favourite.

Two that catch the eye at bigger prices are Thunder Roar and Eldrickjones. Thunder Roar wasn’t a million miles away when 8th of 17 when tackling a mile here at Ascot. That run indicated he’d prefer a drop back in trip and having won and placed numerous times on soft ground will relish the going. A slight concern that he could have too much weight to carry but is worth a chance.

Eldrickjones has just won one of his 29 turf starts so it’s safe to say he’s far from prolific but today could be the day he finally adds to his tally. He’s placed in races over seven and six furlongs whenever there’s been soft in the ground description and has placed in his only course start under a mile. Far from a guarantee but does have enough in his favour to suggest he may outrun his odds.

Others worth mentioning are Mirabeau who’s capable on their day and the lightly raced Strong Warrior who still has plenty of room to progress.

ARRAY (E/W)

THUNDER ROAR (E/W)

ELDRICKJONES (E/W)

(Rory Paddock)

15:00 HAYDOCK

An ultra competitive renewal of the Old Borough Cup at Haydock, likely favourite The Reverend who shone when landing the Bell Ringer at Ripon last time but has got a preference for undercut conditions so will need sufficient rain to be a worthy favourite. Caballo De Mar has stamina to burn but is also proven over this shorter trip, better suited to quicker surface so wouldn't want too much rain. Stressfree ran a huge race in the Ebor last time, is pretty versatile regarding ground and holds course form, shouldn't be far away. Dramatic Star made a very pleasing return to the track at the Shergar Cup when staying on strongly in a race that was ran at no gallop and it paid to be on the front end, has an each way chance of the rain stays away. Paddy The Squire looks fairly versatile regarding the ground and being by Golden Horn should take this extra two furlongs in his stride, he continues to improve and it doesn't seem like the handicapper can get a hold of him yet, could still be ahead of the handicapper and this big pot could be heading North. 

PADDY THE SQUIRE (WIN)

(Liam Hall)

15:35 HAYDOCK

Lazzat’s QEII Stakes win at Royal Ascot from Satono Reve 3l clear of the rest stands out as a proper Group One sprint performance and is hard to get away from. That win was on good to firm so I’m not perturbed that Haydock has missed the worst of the rain and his prominent racing style should help on the good ground here.

The Commonwealth Cup is proving a good springboard for 3yos for this race. Time For Sandals backed that win up with a running-on 3rd over 5f at Goodwood and should go well here. Kind Of Blue is expected to improve for an Autumn campaign and was second here last year and is another not fully reliant on soft ground but it does inhibit others. The lightly-raced Sky Majesty is a possible improver following two confidence-boosting wins at Naas and those three look credible each-way alternatives over some of the older longshots that are hard to distinguish between.

Lazzat is given another shot at standing above the rest this year as top European sprinter.

LAZZAT (WIN)

KIND OF BLUE (E/W)

(Alan Morris)