TV TIPS (SATURDAY)

There's a whopping nine live races on ITV this Saturday with action from Chester, York and Sandown. We preview every race and give our thoughts and tips on each right here. 13:35 CHESTER

Baldomero put in an eye-catching performance at Doncaster last time when staying on strongly to finish third. He wasn’t the quickest away from the stalls and that seems to be his Achilles heel. A slow start around such a tight track as Chester could have more of an impact than at most courses, especially from stall 7. If this were any other venue he’d be mightily tempting, but with his customary slow start likely, he may simply have too much to do in the closing stages.

Another pair with fair claims, but who haven’t been gifted the best draws, are former course and distance winner Miraculous, who hails from the in-form yard of Tim Easterby, and at much bigger odds Accrual, who might fare better than the bookmakers would have you believe despite being burdened with stall 9.

For those looking for an each-way option, Ran Amok has a trainer who has enjoyed plenty of success at Chester and should come on for his seasonal reappearance.

All that being said, Bolo Neighs claimed a fairly convincing victory at Ascot last time out and, with only a 4lb rise in the weights, looks capable of making it back-to-back wins.

BOLO NEIGHS (WIN)

13:50 YORK

Chillingham took home this race last year after the original winner was disqualified and the now seven-year-old was promoted to first place. He wasn’t far away that day, so it’s not as if he inherited victory without merit. Partnered by the same jockey once again, he looks set to go close but may find one or two too strong once more.

Secret Force produced an encouraging effort to finish fourth when last seen and, as such, commands plenty of respect with further improvement likely.

The consistent Dunkeld Dreamer and Humble Spark might not be the most prolific, but the pair have shown enough in a handful of starts this term to suggest they’re capable of making the frame.

The one that gets the nod may be the oldest runner in the line-up, but Alqoob is worth a chance, especially under Brodie Hampson. Hampson is by far the most experienced rider in the field and that experience could prove decisive. Alqoob has won from this mark before and, if stripping fitter for his recent effort, has a solid each-way chance.

ALQOOB (E/W)

14:10 CHESTER

Masked Warrior made all when winning at Kempton in what looked a competitive novice contest. A similar front-running display would be well suited to Chester’s tight bends and, with William Haggas’ yard enjoying recent success, he comes from a stable in form and looks the one to beat.

The one to fear most, and who could spring a surprise, is fellow handicap debutant Penny Time, who improved with each run on the all-weather in 2026. He’s been gelded since his last appearance and, if that sparks further improvement, he could represent an attractive proposition at a bigger price. However, his wide draw looks a significant obstacle.

Elsewhere, Comic Hero and Just A Girl cannot be readily dismissed and both look capable of producing bold performances.

MASKED WARRIOR (WIN)

14:25 YORK

The unbeaten Extremely Zain deserves his current position at the head of the market and, hailing from the yard of William Haggas, ticks plenty of boxes. With just two starts under his belt, he makes his handicap debut and hasn’t been handed the easiest assignment, but it’s hard to put punters off. From a value perspective, however, his price may be on the short side.

Former course and distance winner Mirabeau has gone well of late and a return to York brings plenty in his favour.

With such a competitive field set to line up, we’ve opted for a pair who could represent solid value. The first is the Roger Varian-trained Bobby Bennu, who produced a fair performance when finishing fourth at Chester two weeks ago. He’s likely to come on for that return and represents owners with a strong record at this venue.

The alternative selection is the four-year-old former Irish recruit Sujet, who, despite not yet winning on British soil, has shown enough to suggest he’s not far away from a big run. He was sent off a short-priced favourite when last seen but disappointed. Clearly, connections believe he has the ability; it’s just a case of putting everything together.

BOBBY BENNU (E/W) SUJET (E/W)

14:42 SANDOWN

The Godolphin pair of Words Of Truth and Military Code look set to dominate the market, with the Oisin Murphy-ridden Words Of Truth the clear favourite at present. Although Military Code arguably has the strongest form in the book, he returns from an absence of almost 300 days, making this a tougher assignment.

Away from the Godolphin duo, the lightly raced pair of Manatee Mehmas and Lady Youmzain appeal as solid each-way alternatives.

A tentative selection goes to Words Of Truth, but it’s a race where it’s difficult to be overly confident about any of the runners.

WORDS OF TRUTH (WIN)

15:00 YORK

Despite only six runners going to post for this Listed contest, it still looks highly competitive, with a case to be made for at least half of the field.

Al Qareem has been there and done it before and can be forgiven his recent disappointing effort. If anywhere near his best, Karl Burke’s charge won’t have to do too much to come out on top.

The consistent Mount Atlas catches the eye with William Buick booked to ride, but he seems to have developed a habit of finishing second, recording three runner-up efforts in his last four starts. He deserves to land a race like this but may once again find at least one too good.

The interesting contender is Epic Poet, another runner with a notable jockey booking as he’s partnered by the exceptionally talented Ryan Moore. Like Mount Atlas, he’s not the most prolific, but representing a local yard that thrives at this course, he looks a genuine danger.

At a price, Tabletalk might fare far better than the bookmakers expect but will need one of the principals to underperform if he’s to finish in front.

Al Qareem and Epic Poet make the most appeal, so the pair are taken to fill the first two places.

AL QAREEM – EPIC POET (REV FCAST)

15:17 SANDOWN

Beagle Bay returned to the winner’s enclosure on his handicap debut at Yarmouth when recording a clear four-length success. This looks a tougher test but he should go close again despite the rise in the weights.

Another runner who made his handicap debut when last seen is Raammee, who produced a fair effort to finish fourth. That said, this represents a stronger level of opposition and, despite representing leading connections, is worth taking on.

High Degree hasn’t won since his maiden success last term and, although he has failed to score in his subsequent four outings, he has gone close, including when runner-up last time out. He’s not a guaranteed winner but is likely to be involved once again.

At bigger odds, the pair to side with are the two runners featuring “Cash” in their names. Both Hot Cash and Cash finished second last time out and have performed well in races of this nature. They’re capable at Class 2 level and won’t be inconvenienced by a sizeable field. Neither is especially prolific, but both race from fair marks and look capable of making the frame.

HOT CASH (E/W) CASH (E/W)

15:35 YORK

Red Spells Danger has certainly found a new lease of life as a three-year-old. After a mixed set of results during his juvenile campaign, he has improved with each run this season and deserves a crack at this level. However, this represents a marked rise in class and that may be enough to leave him vulnerable against noticeably stronger opposition.

Thunder Call got off the mark with an ultra-impressive six-length demolition job in a Kempton maiden on his three-year-old debut. Now entering handicap company for the first time from a low weight, he makes plenty of appeal. However, as with his stablemate Extremely Zain earlier in the day, he doesn’t offer much in the way of betting value and, while he could come out on top, it may pay to look elsewhere.

Man Of Vision was sent off a short-priced favourite when finishing runner-up on his seasonal return, but he’s likely to improve for that outing and, representing the powerhouse operation of Godolphin, commands plenty of respect.

Former course and distance winner First Legion finished fifth over seven furlongs here at York before dropping back to six furlongs, which appeared to suit when finishing a place better at Leicester. Now reunited with the Knavesmire and the shorter trip, that combination could see him fare better.

Cape Ashizuri and Chicago Pope look the best of the remainder and should also be considered by punters.

MAN OF VISION (E/W) FIRST LEGION (E/W)

15:55 SANDOWN

Although it’s the sort of statement that can come back to haunt you, this seven-furlong contest looks a two-horse race, with Sticktoyourguns and Wezzeer currently vying for favouritism.

Sticktoyourguns has the advantage of already being a course-and-distance winner and has done very little wrong in his two career starts to date, despite finishing second behind a 125/1 outsider when last seen. That said, the form of that race hasn’t been franked and, with a 266-day absence to overcome, there are questions regarding both his fitness and whether he has trained on. He has solid claims, but Wezzeer makes slightly more appeal.

Roger Varian’s charge went close in a novice contest on softer ground over today’s trip and shaped as though the distance suited him much better. The testing conditions may not have played to his strengths that day, but he still performed with plenty of credit and, now back on a sounder surface, is taken to return to winning ways.

Of the remainder, Sovereign Ocean looks the most likely to capitalise should the front two fail to live up to expectations.

WEZZEER (WIN) written by Rory Paddock