Timeform UK SmartPlays: Saturday June 30

Michelangelo looks a smart prospect and should be good enough to land the valuable 3-Y-O Cup that kicks off this afternoon's card at Newmarket (14:00). John Gosden untypically threw Michelangelo in at the deep end on debut, pitched into listed company first time out, but he by no means disgraced himself in finishing third behind Noble Mission. Michelangelo confirmed the positive impressions next time, when landing the Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood, and remains open to plenty more improvement having still seemed very green. He'll be suited by a a mile and a half in time, but is expected to cope with the drop back down in trip today, with the more galloping nature of Newmarket likely to play more to his strengths than Goodwood.

Gabrial The Hero can provide Dr Marwan Koukash with another win at his beloved Chester in the one-and-a-half-mile handicap (14:40). A maiden winner at Haydock on his penultimate outing, Gabrial The Hero shaped with promise when runner-up on his handicap debut at the same track next time but looked stretched by the step up in trip. Gabrial The Hero looks well enough handicapped as it stands on that form, but should have even more to offer dropping back down in distance.

Hoof It is the clear pick on form in the Criterion Stakes at Newmarket (15:35), but he has produced his very best over sprint distances and seven furlongs on a stiff course today could leave him vulnerable, so he looks worth taking on. The one to oppose him with is Edinburgh Knight, a strong traveller who wasn't seen to best effect in the Royal Hunt Cup on his latest outing. A listed winner at Kempton in 2011, Edinburgh Knight is fairly unexposed at today's trip and has left the impression on his last couple of starts that he's worth another go at it - he looks to have solid win and place credentials.

Timeform SmartPlays
Back Michelangelo @ 1.824/5in the 14:00 at Newmarket
Back Gabrial the Hero @ 4.47/2 in the 14:40 at Chester
Back Edinburgh Knight to win @ 10.09/1 and place @ 2.77/4 in the 15:35 at Newmarket

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