TV TIPS (SATURDAY)

Live action from Newmarket and York this Saturday as the ITV camera’s bring you eight contests and we preview every one.

13:15 NEWMARKET

Damysus has improved with each run this season and picked up a listed win in France last time out. However he may not appreciate todays ground and now in a better grade isn’t the certainty many feel.

The one to take on the favourite looks to be Andrew Balding’s Gladius who’s won two of their last three races. Wasn’t far behind in a similar contest last time out and can improve for that effort.

GLADIUS (WIN)

13:30 YORK

Division has won their last two starts and both at novice level. Having never races in a maiden contest clearly connections think highly of him and he should be respected as the likely favourite.

For punters looking for an each way alternative Black Star Boy was a very impressive winner of his maiden last time out and looks likely to build upon that performance. Will need to show further improvement now at this level but has shown glimpses of talent and could outrun his current odds.

DIVISION (WIN)

BLACK STAR BOY (E/W)

13:50 NEWMARKET

Despite still showing signs of greeness Endorsement was a convincing winner last time out and a step up to this 10 furlong trip should suit.

Stablemate Pierre Bonnard is also a last time out winner and deserves respect but looks the outsider of the Ballydoyle duo.

The biggest threat looks to be Godolphin’s Look To The Stars who aims to make it three wins in a row.

ENDORSEMENT (WIN)

14:05 YORK

A cavalry charge, 15 runner handicap awaits and with so many runners it’s key to be on the hunt for value and hopefully we’ve found that in the form of Take Heart. He hails from a yard who’ve bagged four winners in the past fortnight and they could add to their tally with this five-year-old. He races off a very attractive mark and if near his best looks capable of going close.

TAKE HEART (E/W)

14:25 NEWMARKET

All the major stables are represented and with such little form to go off it’s hard to be overly confident about any. Al Zanati won here at “Flat HQ” and should appreciate the courses unique undulations. He hung on debut but still displayed battling qualities and if he shows similar heart here will have a strong chance.

The likes of Hankelow and Straight Up look the obvious threats.

AL ZANATI (WIN)

15:00 NEWMARKET

Another Group 1 contest and without being unkind it looks to be somewhat of a two horse race. Gstaad and Distant Storm look a step above the rest of the opposition and it’s likely the victor will hail from this duo. Of the pair the slight preference is for the Godolphin runner who has a course and distance win to their name and has had a lighter campaign. William Buick and Charlie Appleby can add another big race success in the book.

DISTANT STORM (WIN)

15:15 YORK

As one of only a handful of former course and distance winners we already know that Comanche Falls will handle the conditions. Without a win in over two years but produced an impressive effort to finish second when last seen here at York back in August. A repeat of that performance certainly puts him in the mix.

At much bigger odds, the locally trained Sergeant Wilko has a better chance than the bookmakers may have you think. The horse finished a close fifth in this race last year and trainer Kevin Ryan is a master with runners here at York. Off an attractive mark and if the rain falls his chances will only improve. One for any shortlist.

COMMANCHE FALLS (E/W)

SERGEANT WILKO (E/W)

15:40 NEWMARKET

The JP McManus owned Dawn Rising finished a credible sixth in this race last year and returns off a 5lb lower mark this time around. It’s likely this has been the horses target all season and with top jockey Alison Murphy booked for the ride he’s got plenty in his favour.

Another one of many Irish raiders in this contest is Gordon Elliott’s Ndaawi who was a tad unlucky not to finish closer at Chester last month but should be capable of building upon that performance. He’ll appreciate the right handed nature of the course and looks likely to go well at a decent price.

DAWN RISING (E/W)

NDAAWI (E/W)

written by Rory Paddock