Saturday Racing Cheat Sheet: Best bets for ITV Racing and the return of Paul Nicholls

Tips Summary

Please Note: Prices quoted in table below were correct at time of each writer/tipster's column being published on Betting.Betfair.

Saturday Horse Racing Tips and Insight

York, 13:30 - Katie Midwinter: Whisper has a Divine chance

In York's opening contest on Saturday, the Listed Rockingham Stakes, Divine Whisper is one to note for George Boughey in the hands of Tom Marquand. She has to find further improvement on ratings compared with some of the boys ahead of her in the market, but is entitled to continue progressing having made only three starts to date.

The daughter of Mehmas was only narrowly denied by subsequent dual Listed winner Big Negotiator on debut over 5f here in June, before getting off the mark at Windsor, justifying short odds of 2/91.22 on that occasion.

When last seen at Goodwood, the filly performed well in third to Wild Blossom, and there could be more to come from her. She needs to take another step forward as she makes her first appearance in Stakes company, but may be worth keeping onside having shaped with promise to date.

Newmarket, 13:50 - Timeform Verdict: Drumbeat to call the tune

All of these look progressive but Drumbeat is the clear pick on form after his third in the Beresford Stakes at the Curragh 2 weeks ago. Likely front runner Sword Salute is feared most.

York, 14:05 - Katie Midwinter: Return to Knavesmire could suit

Hamad Al Jehani-trained French Duke was only narrowly denied at the Ebor Festival here over a mile-and-a-half in his penultimate start, beaten a nose by Plage De Havre at odds of 14/115.00 in a close finish.

Over a shorter distance in the hands of in-form rider Danny Tudhope this time around, the five-year-old could gain redemption on the Knavesmire.

He wasn't at his best at Newbury over a trip just shy of a mile-and-three-quarters when last seen, but the return to York and the drop back in distance could suit, and he has proven stamina over further which should allow him to stay on well in the closing stages.

Newmarket, 14:25 - Mark Milligan: Montreal a Rock solid bet

The exciting Rock Montreal lost little in defeat at Doncaster last time and he can go one better in this Group 3 contest.

Roger Varian's imposing juvenile made an eye-catching start to his career when bolting up in a Yarmouth novice contest before missing an intended engagement at Sandown due to softening ground.

He was rerouted to a listed race at Town Moor last month but appeared to be just caught out by a bit of lingering greenness there, eventually picking up to good effect and likely to have won in a few more strides.

Rock Montreal remains a top prospect and can get back to winning ways, with this step up to a mile looking sure to suit.

Chepstow, 14:45 - Paul Nicholls best chance: Stick To The Board

He's one of my hurdlers to follow this season and, without a doubt, my best chance of the weekend. We like him a lot, he won his only bumper last season, who knows what he beat but I think the form was ok. We've done lots of work with him.

I was quite keen to run him in the Persian War but, when I saw the ratings of some of the others in the field, I thought we were better off starting in a maiden hurdle and we can go forward from here. I'm very much looking forward to him running.

Newmarket, 15:00 - Timeform: Desert can be king of the castle

Having impressed when scoring on debut, Desert Castle took the rise in class in his stride and looked a high-class colt in the making when impressively following up in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster four weeks ago.  

The Frankel colt, who is an imposing, grand-looking sort, produced another fine display having slightly missed the break, as he cruised into contention over two furlongs out and soon quickened three lengths clear of Sergei Diaghilev who could frank the form in the preceding Autumn Stakes.

Open to further improvement, the Godolphin runner shades preference over Darkness Falls who is similarly improving at a rate of knots and already has a comfortable success at Group 1 level to his name.

Click here to read Alan Dudman's Big Race Verdict on the Dewhurst Stakes.

York, 15:17 - Katie Midwinter: Prolific juvenile winners holds each-way claims

Three-year-old gelding Ardisia shaped with promise as a juvenile last term, achieving Listed success as well as finishing a close second to a subsequent Group One winner in Mission Central at Ascot. He performed well over course-and-distance in the competitive Harry's Half Million by Goffs, won by Song Of The Clyde, placing third in that valuable juvenile contest.

This year, the Hugo Palmer-trained contender has proven he has trained on but is yet to add to the five wins he recorded during his debut campaign.

In his penultimate start at Goodwood, he was beaten only a length by Flash Harry from the same mark, following on from a creditable fourth in Listed company, and he could outrun his odds in this field, holding each-way claims at the weights under David Probert.

Newmarket, 15:40 - Mark Milligan: Mountain fancied to strike gold for Jim

While Dawn Rising chance is a solid one, I also can't resist a play on Jim Goldie's Mountain Road, who really caught my eye when second to one of Joseph O'Brien's at York last time.

The seven-year-old joined Goldie from David Simcock towards the end of summer 2024 but only made one start for the yard before being forced onto the bench for 582 days.

He understandably took a few runs to hit his straps this year following that long layoff but has been getting better all the while and it was no disgrace in losing out to one who appears bound for pattern races last time.

Goldie is a master at revitalising veterans and he appears to be working his magic once again with Mountain Road, who looks a fair play at 17/29.50.

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