Saturday Racing Cheat Sheet: Best bets for ITV Racing at Chester, Doncaster and Leopardstown on St Leger day

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

Doncaster, 13:45 - Timeform: Desert Castle to remain unbeaten

Desert Castle created a favourable impression when making an impressive winning start to his career at Newmarket last month and, open to oodles of improvement, he's fancied to overcome the rise in grade and keep his unbeaten record intact.

Charlie Appleby won this race in 2015 with the once-raced Emotionless who was sent off a short-priced favourite on the back of an impressive debut win at Newmarket in the same race that Desert Castle came clear in last month.  

With the Timeform 'Large P' attached to his rating - denoting significant improvement is expected - this 'Horse In Focus' can make as big an impression as his stablemate Musical Times did on Thursday.

Chester, 14:05 - Timeform Verdict: Anouther track win on the cards

Cranachan looks a thorough stayer and Ralph Beckett's 3-y-o can make it back-to-back C&D successes. Irish raider Holy See is highly respected on the back of a career-best effort at Galway, whilst Stressfree is back in form and is lurking on a competitive mark.

Doncaster, 14:20 - Mark Milligan: Consistent Madera can go well

The Portland is often one of the most competitive sprint handicaps of the season and this year's renewal looks no exception, with plenty of the 22-strong field holding chances.

The draw is a tricky one to weigh up, but the percentage call is probably to side with one away from the extremes and Toca Madera fits the bill from stall 11.

David O'Meara's five-year-old has had a good season, recording a win over 5f at this track and finishing in the first four on another four occasions.

His most recent effort when second to Naana's Sparkle at Goodwood was up there with the best performances Toca Madera has posted this term and he'll come into this race right at the top of his game.

With five places available on the Betfair Sportsbook, an each play at 9/110.00 looks the way to go.

Doncaster, 14:55 - Katie Midwinter: Classy Flora can bounce back

Flora Of Bermuda has Group One level form coming into this race but does need to prove herself at this level of 7f and bounce back following a disappointing effort in the City Of York Stakes.

She did have excuses for her latest outing on the Knavesmire, and when tailed off in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes, therefore shouldn't be discounted having won all three of her other starts this term, including when beating Sayidah Dariyan over this distance at Goodwood.

The likeable filly is a formidable horse on her day when things fall favourably for her, and, dropping in grade here, she should make her presence felt if getting off to a good start from the stalls under Callum Rodriguez.

Doncaster, 15:35 - Alan Dudman: Highwayman can deliver in St Leger

I'm determined to plough on with my outsider angle, and Highwayman at 10/111.00 is the each-way bet for me.

With form already at 1m6f and winning form on good ground, he at least has a couple of the Leger boxes ticked.

His first assignment at 1m6f was at Leopardstown when winning the Vinnie Roe. That was a race I put some substance behind with the thinking regarding Piazza San Marco, so it's reverting to Plan B for me, and not a bad one to have as Highwayman won quite comfortably.

Stamina on that run is clearly his forte as the Leopardstown left-handed turn can be quite tight and he was outpaced on the inside and pushed along.

The pace was steady too off 111% finish speed so there's every reason to think we can upgrade that performance and he was one of only two in the field to break 13 seconds at the final furlong.

His sire Persian King, a crack miler and Moulin winner is not exactly renowned for stayers and on my stats has only had six runners over 1m4f to 1m6f and just one over a Leger distance.

However, there are stamina doubts everywhere in the race and it is also far from a classy affair. At 10/111.00 is the each-way bet here with three places.

Leopardstown, 15:55 - Katie Midwinter: Expect Precise to get it spot on

Although she has been beaten twice by favourite Blue Bolt this term, Precise could make it third time lucky back on home turf in this Group One contest. She was only narrowly denied by Rayif and Zeus Olympios when an excellent close third against the boys in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville last month and could still be improving.

The four-time Group One winner who landed the Irish 1,000 Guineas earlier this term is an excellent performer for Ballydoyle and has been hugely consistent following a below par reappearance at Newmarket this season. She possesses plenty of talent and ability and can pose a threat once again, with only half-a-length to find with her reopposing rival from when the pair last met in France.

Doncaster, 16:15 - Katie Midwinter: King can rule back over a mile

Richard Hannon-trained River King is far from exposed coming into his ninth racecourse start and could still be well-treated from an unchanged mark of 95. He was a creditable fifth to Mezcala in the 28-runner Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, handling the 8lb rise for a Newbury success well upped in class in a hugely competitive contest. 

The four-year-old gelding has shown snippets of good form and could still be capable of showing further progression and on an upward trajectory, making plenty of appeal back over a mile.

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