TV TIPS (SATURDAY)

The Northumberland Plate takes centre stage on ITV Racing this Saturday and pundit previews all the live action from Newcastle and York. 13:40 NEWCASTLE

A step up to seven furlongs appeared to spark improvement from five-year-old Sergeant Wilko, who went close in a weaker contest at Thirsk last time out. He returns to a venue where he has tasted success before and now races from a mark below his last winning rating. The slight concern is his wider draw, but on Newcastle's straight course it isn't quite as much of an issue.

Bobby Bennu and Supido look lively contenders, but the ultra-consistent Caviar Cowboy is the one to fear. The progressive colt appears to improve with every run and should once again be in the thick of the action.

At bigger odds, former course and distance winner Witch Hunter hasn't been at his best of late, but a return to the all-weather could spark a revival.

SERGEANT WILKO (E/W)

13:55 YORK

The first of three live ITV races from York on Saturday looks ultra-competitive, with plenty capable of going well.

Former course winners Andesite and Frankies Dream are major players and it's difficult to put punters off backing either. However, in a field of this size it's worth searching for a bit of value and the Oisin Murphy-ridden Wild Nature makes plenty of appeal. Despite failing to win in eight previous turf starts, he shaped well when finishing third on his seasonal reappearance and should strip fitter for that effort. With such an eye-catching jockey booked, today could be the day he finally breaks his turf duck.

Sujet and Cadarn are another pair capable of outperforming expectations. Both need to show more than they have recently but demand respect representing locally based yards.

WILD NATURE (E/W)

14:10 NEWCASTLE

Heavenly Heather produced an eye-catching performance in a top-class contest at Royal Ascot. This looks a less demanding assignment and, with the benefit of the fillies' allowance, she appears primed for another bold showing.

Multiple course and distance winner Diligent Harry commands plenty of respect at a venue where he boasts an excellent record and looks set to go close once again.

Fellow course and distance winner Wiltshire should feature on any punter's shortlist, while Ferrous and Poet Master are also worth noting, particularly at generous odds.

HEAVENLY HEATHER (E/W)

14:25 YORK

The three-year-olds take centre stage in this five-furlong sprint and Middleham Park's Shes Got A Brother looks drastically overpriced. Despite failing to win on her last two starts, she produced two very encouraging efforts in a competitive handicap at Epsom and an even stronger Listed contest at Ayr last week. If those races haven't taken too much out of her, this could represent a slight drop in class and she may be capable of returning to winning ways.

Our Cody hasn't tasted success since landing her maiden last season, but she has produced several solid efforts in defeat and looks set to go close once more.

Naana's Shadow was a convincing winner last time out and rates as the biggest danger.

SHES GOT A BROTHER (E/W)

14:40 NEWCASTLE

The precursor to the feature race on the card looks another fiercely competitive handicap and it could pay to side with a couple at rewarding odds.

The first is Charlie Johnston's Sax Appeal. A previous course and distance winner, he returns from his last winning mark and has been thereabouts throughout the season. Although not the easiest horse to win with, he looks capable of another bold effort.

The second selection is fellow course and distance winner Haveyoumissedme. Like Sax Appeal, he isn't the most prolific but also races from an attractive mark and boasts an excellent record around this venue.

The improving Arc Zoosve deserves his chance at this level after four consecutive victories, while fellow last-time-out winners Believeitanducan and Shrimp Shady also make plenty of appeal.

SAX APPEAL (E/W) HAVEYOUMISSEDME (E/W)

14:58 YORK

Never So Brave has disappointed on both starts this season, but faith is maintained in what appears a more straightforward assignment. Although Sabre Strike looks a horse very much on the upgrade, if all six runners perform close to their best, Andrew Balding's charge should prove difficult to beat.

Of the remainder, the inconsistent Qirat shouldn't be dismissed too readily but will need to show significant improvement to trouble the principals.

NEVER SO BRAVE (WIN)

15:15 NEWCASTLE

Newcastle's biggest Flat race of the season is also one of the most competitive staying handicaps of the year. This marathon trip provides a searching test and races of this nature are never easy to solve. Nevertheless, there are a handful of runners who make plenty of appeal.

First up is the relatively lightly raced Ride The Thunder, who has yet to tackle a race over this distance but showed promise when stepped up to 1m5f at Hamilton last time out. That was his seasonal reappearance and he should strip much fitter for the run. Combined with a gelding operation over the winter, Roger Varian's charge looks capable of further improvement.

Trainer Ian Williams has an excellent record with staying handicappers and saddles several runners in this year's renewal. Of those, Aqwaam could be worth a small each-way investment. He returned from a lengthy absence with a fair effort here over what looked an inadequate trip and, if building on that run, could easily outrun his odds.

Brian Ellison's pair Tashkhan and Saint Etienne also merit respect, representing a yard with an excellent record in this contest.

Moon Over Miami is another worthy of close attention, as is current market leader Circus Of Rome, who remains something of an unknown quantity.

RIDE THE THUNDER (E/W) AQWAAM (E/W)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeQ9N-i5YnM

15:45 NEWCASTLE

We round off the ITV action with a competitive sprint handicap and The Caltonian could be worth a second look. He caused a surprise when landing a course and distance success earlier in the year and, although his form has dipped since while racing from a higher mark, it would be unwise to dismiss him given his proven ability around this track.

Fellow course and distance winners Fivethousandtoone and Annaf also deserve serious consideration as alternative each-way options.

That said, it's Power Fizz who makes the most appeal. He boasts a perfect record on both the all-weather and at Newcastle and deserves his chance at this level. His latest victory came after a 307-day absence, so he should be considerably fitter for that outing and further improvement looks highly likely. He may well prove to be a Group or Listed performer currently hiding in handicap company.

POWER FIZZ (WIN) THE CALTONIAN (E/W) written by Rory Paddock