Horse Racing Tips: Mark Milligan's best bets for Saturday at Lingfield

12:55 Lingfield - Back Twisting Physics @ 5/23.50

The Derby and Oaks trial bandwagon rolls on from Chester to Lingfield on Saturday, and while I do have fancies in both of the main races, my best bet on the card comes in the 1m 2f handicap that opens proceedings.

Twisting Physics could hardly have been more of an eye-catcher on his recent return when sixth in a similar race to this at Newbury last month, where he fairly rattled home having been set plenty to do from the rear under Jamie Spencer.

I'm guessing he was ridden with one eye on stamina there as he was stepping up to this trip for the first time having done his previous racing over 7f and 1m, but the way he finished off his race suggests he shouldn't have an issue with the distance and he struck me as very much one to follow.

The selection is now a five-year-old, but he has few miles on the clock and this will be just his sixth career start.

Twisting Physics does have to give weight away all round, but I don't mind that one bit on this undulating track as they only really get racing once turning for home and, if he can produce the same turn of foot as at Newbury, while being ridden a little handier, I can see him rattling home late on.

13:28 Lingfield - Back Bloom @ 9/25.50

You only have to go back a week or so to the 1000 Guineas to find the supposed Aidan O'Brien second string turning over a more fancied stablemate and I'm of the opinion that Tom Marquand's mount Bloom can beat Ryan Moore's ride Cameo in the Oaks Trial.

Bloom is a bit less exposed than Cameo and she shaped with plenty of promise when stepping up to 1m 2f at Navan on her recent return, finishing third to Thundering On in a Group 3 contest without being given an overly hard time of things.

Moore didn't ride her that day either as he was on the last-place finisher Ice Dancer and perhaps she just isn't the sort to impress in her home work. Either way, Bloom should be suited by stepping up further in trip here as she's out of a mare who had solid form at 1m 4f.

The one to beat could well be Godolphin's Romantic Symphony, who comes here unbeaten in two starts and clearly has plenty of upside herself.

13:58 Lingfield - Back Isaac Newton @ 10/34.33

The Derby Trial also has a strong Charlie Appleby/Godolphin contender in the shape of Maho Bay, who has been most impressive in winning both his starts and comfortably took care of Aidan O'Brien's Amadeus Mozart over 1m 2f at Newmarket last time.

He opened his account over 1m 3f on the all-weather and does need to prove he can step up a little in trip here, something that's not an absolute given on pedigree, though he does shape as if it won't be an issue.

There's clearly plenty to like about Maho Bay, but there's also a lot to recommend Issac Newton, who will relish a step up to this trip.
Fourth to likely Dante runner Morshdi on his recent return at Newmarket, the Ballydoyle inmate looked to be carrying condition that day and shaped as if the run was very much needed.

He'll be much straighter for that and, being by Camelot, the further he goes the better he's likely to be.

I'm expecting Ryan Moore to press on some way out in an attempt to expose any chinks in Maho Bay's armour and Isaac Newton could well put himself firmly into the Derby picture with a win here.

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