TV TIPS (SATURDAY)

Saturday's ITV Racing action features a cracking afternoon of Flat racing from Newmarket and York, with competitive handicaps, exciting youngsters and some established stars taking centre stage. Racing Daily previews all eight televised contests, including the fiercely competitive Cesarewitch Handicap, as we look to uncover the best betting opportunities.

13:15 NEWMARKET

Humidity boasts arguably the strongest form in the field, having finished runner-up to the hugely talented Bow Echo when last seen. On that evidence alone, he would be difficult to oppose, but a mammoth 378-day absence raises obvious fitness concerns.

The gelding operation during his time on the sidelines adds another element of uncertainty, and although he could return an improved performer, there are enough question marks to consider alternatives.

Former course-and-distance winner Boiling Point deserves respect, while the consistent The Lost King is another capable of playing a leading role.

However, preference is for Haatem, who has previously tasted success at Flat HQ and looks capable of adding another Newmarket victory to his record. With Ryan Moore booked to ride for Richard Hannon, there is plenty to like about his chances of recording back-to-back wins.

HAATEM (WIN)

13:30 YORK

A competitive Listed sprint gets proceedings underway at York, with several promising youngsters looking to enhance their reputations.

At the time of writing, Battle Fever is available at around 25/1, which looks a generous price for a horse who has yet to finish outside the first three in five career starts.

Although unable to justify favouritism when third last time, his previous runner-up effort in a big field at this venue represents encouraging form. Returning to the Knavesmire for a local yard is another positive, and he looks capable of outrunning his sizeable odds.

Stablemate Matteo won his opening two starts before disappointing on his next two appearances. He remains an interesting contender, particularly if attracting market support.

Dubai Champion, Cut A Dash and Divine Whisper all warrant consideration in an open-looking contest, but Battle Fever makes the most appeal from an each-way perspective.

BATTLE FEVER (E/W)

13:50 NEWMARKET

Ballydoyle's Drumbeat brings some of the strongest form into this contest, having finished a close third in Group 2 company at the Curragh last time.

That performance sets a solid standard, and with Ryan Moore taking the ride, he looks the one they all have to beat.

Wykehurst Park appeals as the most likely challenger and could prove the biggest threat to the market leader.

With just six runners declared, each-way opportunities are limited to two places under standard terms, making a forecast a potentially more attractive option.

The two principals look capable of dominating proceedings, and a reverse forecast is the preferred approach.

DRUMBEAT – WYKEHURST PARK (REV FCAST)

14:05 YORK

The lightly raced pair Water To Wine and Nobody Knows both arrive with considerable potential, having done little wrong in their respective three-race careers.

However, in a sizeable field, there may be better value among those with more established form.

Castle Stuart is particularly interesting. Although yet to register a victory at York, he has produced several solid performances in competitive fields around this trip. Racing from a workable handicap mark and still only four years old, he looks capable of making his presence felt.

Former course winner Lord Melbourne also commands respect. Unbeaten at the Knavesmire, he clearly enjoys this venue and could prove considerably more competitive than his current odds suggest.

Both appeal as worthwhile each-way propositions in a race where the more obvious contenders may offer limited value.

CASTLE STUART (E/W)

LORD MELBOURNE (E/W)

14:25 NEWMARKET

Godolphin's Rock Montreal produced an encouraging effort when narrowly denied in Listed company last time and looks to hold strong claims of going one better.

That performance suggests further improvement could be forthcoming, and he appears to have enough ability to return to winning ways.

Irish raider Sergei Diaghilev represents the most obvious danger, having finished runner-up in Group company on his latest appearance. A repeat of that effort would make him a serious contender.

Recent winner Al Jabbar also enters calculations, while Sole Ambition looks best of the remainder.

However, Rock Montreal gets the vote to build on his latest performance and claim another success for the Godolphin team.

ROCK MONTREAL (WIN)

15:00 NEWMARKET

Group 1 winner Darkness Falls has already established himself as a high-class performer and looks to have an extremely bright future ahead of him.

The Irish contender sets a formidable standard on the form shown so far and understandably commands plenty of respect at the head of the market.

However, Godolphin's Desert Castle could provide a stern challenge. Unbeaten in two starts, he has shown considerable promise, and the form of his victories appears to be working out well.

With further improvement likely, Desert Castle looks capable of giving the favourite plenty to think about.

Their respective stablemates and Andrew Balding's Gentle Hurricane cannot be completely dismissed, but the two leading contenders appear to hold a clear advantage on what they have achieved to date.

A reverse forecast involving Darkness Falls and Desert Castle looks the most appealing option.

DARKNESS FALLS – DESERT CASTLE (REV FCAST)

15:17 YORK

Ardisia produced an excellent effort when finishing third of 21 runners on his only previous visit to York, and a return to the Knavesmire could see him back to his best.

He has been knocking on the door in several appearances this season without quite getting his head in front, but that previous course form suggests another bold showing could be on the cards.

Former course-and-distance winner Binhareer is another who could benefit from returning to familiar surroundings. Although he has promised more than he has delivered this term, his previous York success offers encouragement.

At around 5/1, if those odds remain available, he looks a solid each-way proposition.

Toyotomi also deserves consideration, while Old Is Gold arrives chasing a hat-trick and is clearly in the sort of form required to play a leading role.

However, the proven course form of Ardisia and Binhareer makes both worth supporting in a competitive contest.

ARDISIA (E/W)

BINHAREER (E/W)

15:40 NEWMARKET

The Cesarewitch is always one of the highlights of the closing stages of the Flat season, and with 29 runners set to go to post, this year's renewal looks as difficult as ever to unravel.

Last year's winner Baylerbeyi is an obvious starting point. He returns to defend his crown following an excellent runner-up effort in Group company and looks primed for another bold showing.

However, carrying 10lb more than he did when successful 12 months ago presents a significantly tougher challenge, particularly in such a competitive handicap.

Dawn Rising finished runner-up in this contest last season and returns in search of compensation. The booking of Ryan Moore certainly catches the eye, although at nine years of age and following a relatively disappointing campaign, there are questions over whether he retains the ability to go one better.

Preference is for two runners representing trainers more commonly associated with success over obstacles.

James Owen saddles Percy Shelley, who produced an encouraging effort over course and distance last month. Although he hasn't recorded a Flat victory since 2022, recent performances suggest he retains enough ability to be competitive from his current handicap mark.

The experienced campaigner looks capable of getting involved if reproducing his best form and makes plenty of each-way appeal.

Highwind is the other selection for Willie Mullins, who could be looking to round off the six-year-old's Flat campaign with a big performance before turning his attention towards the National Hunt season.

Sporting the famous colours of Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs, Highwind has yet to win on turf in nine Flat starts, but has shown enough in competitive staying handicaps to suggest his turn may not be far away.

An eye-catching effort at Royal Ascot earlier in the year provides further encouragement, while a relatively light campaign could leave him fresher than many of his more exposed rivals.

The consistent Dream On Baby is another fascinating contender on her handicap debut, while Godolphin's Valedictory deserves a place on the shortlist.

At considerably bigger odds, top-weight Tactician and Andrew Balding's Berkshire Sundance could also enter the equation, particularly for those bookmakers offering enhanced each-way place terms.

With so many runners holding legitimate claims, this is certainly a race where spreading the risk makes sense. Percy Shelley and Highwind both have enough in their favour to warrant each-way support.

PERCY SHELLEY (E/W)

HIGHWIND (E/W) written by Rory Paddock