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
Ascot, 13:35 - Katie Midwinter: Back Kendall Roy EW @ 13/27.50
Kate McGivern-trained Kendall Roy makes each-way appeal in the opener on Shergar Cup Day, a competitive 5f handicap sprint. He has been hugely progressive in recent seasons, earning himself a career-high mark of 103 this year with a Listed success at Cork in June when beating Likedbymike.
In his latest outing, the five-year-old gelding carried a hefty weight to third on his return to handicap company, only beaten half-a-length by winner Ipanema Queen at Mallow.
Off an unchanged mark of 102, he could give another good account of himself, warranting consideration as he's a formidable contender on his day.
Back Kendall Roy E/W 4 places in 13:35 Ascot
Newmarket, 13:55 - Mark Milligan: Back Nuit d'Eclair @ 11/43.75
The winner of a strong novice at Newbury on debut (the form of which has been well advertised since), Nuit d'Eclair was then sent for a shot at stakes company in that aforementioned Ascot race and was beaten less than a length into fourth, also meeting some trouble into the bargain.
Both of the selection's starts to date have been over 6f, but her pedigree suggests she should be fine with this 7f trip and she's strictly the one to beat on form.
Back Nuit d'Eclair to win 13:55 Newmarket
Ascot, 14:10 - Katie Midwinter: Back Spirit Mixer EW @ 10/111.00
Spirit Mixer is only 1lb higher than his last winning mark coming into this contest needing to bounce back following a disappointing effort in the Northumberland Plate, a race in which he was successful last year at odds of 25/126.00.
He's currently on a workable mark and has proven he still retains some ability this season when third to Align The Stars, the winner at Newcastle, on reappearance in the spring.
Back Spirit Mixer E/W 4 places in 14:10 Ascot
Haydock, 14:25 - Timeform: Back Sallaal @ 10/111.91
Sallaal went the like best horse at the weights on his return in a handicap over a mile and a quarter at Epsom in April and absolutely bolted up under a more positive ride over the same course and distance at the Derby meeting.
It isn't often you see handicaps won in such a manner, turning an ultra-competitive affair into a rout as he stretched six and a half lengths clear, while only a handful of horses have record a higher Timeform rating in a handicap this century.
It was encouraging that Sallaal was able to follow up in a smaller field listed event at Sandown last time, not having to improve as such but he still had plenty in hand, in command in the final furlong. He's at least 6lb clear of his rivals on Timeform weight-adjusted ratings and he can now make his mark in pattern company.
Back Sallaal in the 14:25 Haydock
Ascot, 15:20 - Alan Dudman: Back Red Spells Danger @ 4/15.00
Red Spells Danger has proved to be very consistent this season and the drop from 7f from his first two starts saw him win a Maiden at Ripon in May and then marmalise a field in a Hamilton handicap, trouncing them by 4L. His stablemate Go Vince Go rated 85 was a mile back in third.
At Hamilton with the stiff finish they went a fast pace which suited a horse very much with 7f form and ability.
That bodes well for stiff Ascot and even his second off 89 at York ranks as a serious piece of form, as he found the track a little sharp early on - backed up by the clock with a 2f time at 10.94 compared to the winner's early 10.70 seconds.
Back Red Spells Danger in the 15:20 at Ascot
Ascot, 15:55 - Mark Milligan: Back Archers Bay @ 11/43.75
Archers Bay won an all-weather novice on his final 2025 start before following that up with a win on handicap debut at Newmarket in April, where he beat Waterford Castle by half a length in race that threw up a few subsequent winners.
Hiked in grade to listed company on the back of that, Archers Bay acquitted himself well at the Guineas meeting when third to Ancient Egypt before blowing out when sent for a tilt at the Italian Derby.
However, his recent fourth to Heraldry back in the handicap ranks is likely to read well as the season progresses and this race doesn't appear as deep as that one. In-form William Haggas filly Hoseki may provide the biggest danger, but she'll struggle to contain Archers Bay if he runs up to his best.
Back Archers Bay to win 15:55 Ascot
Ascot, 16:30 - Katie Midwinter: Back Popmaster EW @ 16/117.00
Course winner Popmaster has plenty of experience in his favour as he makes his 60th career start in this mile handicap. He has shown he still retains plenty of ability this year as an eight-year-old, with a win at Kempton in February from a 3lb lower mark followed by two narrow defeats in his subsequent pair of runs.
Most recently, he finished a creditable fourth to Indalo in a competitive 14-runner Sandown handicap at odds of 50/151.00 from his current rating, and could pose a threat in this contest for the in-form Ed Walker yard.
Back Popmaster E/W in 16:30 Ascot