Saturday Racing Cheat Sheet: Best bets for ITV Racing at Newbury and more plus Irish Oaks tips

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Tips Summary

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

Race	Tipster	Tip/Runner	Odds
13:55 Newbury	Katie Midwinter	Midak E/W	10/111.00
14:10 Market Rasen	Timeform	Louis Veron	7/42.75
14:25 Newbury	Mark Milligan	Ride The Thunder	3/14.00
14:45 Market Rasen	Katie Midwinter	Mahons Glory E/W	9/110.00
15:02 Newbury	Alan Dudman	Soldier's Tree	9/43.25
15:15 Ripon	Mark Milligan	Star Harbour E/W	10/111.00
15:37 Newbury	Timeform Verdict	Etienne	5/16.00
16:35 Curragh	Sam Turner	Thundering On	2/13.00

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Saturday Horse Racing Tips and Insight

13:55, Newbury - Katie Midwinter: Outsider can outrun his odds

Outsider of the field Midak could be able to outrun his odds in the opening Listed mile-and-a-quarter race at Newbury on Saturday.

A €300,000 purchase last autumn from the Aga Khan Studs, the son of Footstepsinthesand is yet to show the best of his ability in the colours of Mrs Fitri Hay for Ian Williams, but was far from disgraced when a three-length fourth to Tenability at Goodwood and could build on that outing.

Formerly trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, the four-year-old shaped with promise during his debut campaign last term, winning his first three races culminating in a Group Three Saint-Cloud success before being sent off at odds of 9/110.00 in the Derby at Epsom won by Lambourn. He was gelded subsequently and finished fourth to Nitoi in a Chantilly Listed contest on his return from a break before switching yards.

His first two runs for his current trainer were during his time abroad, including in a Meydan Group One won by Opera Ballo. His latest run was his first in the UK for his current trainer on the back of a 112-day break, and he ran well for a long way before failing to sustain his challenge late on. He could take a step forward and fare better this time around, making him one to note at generous odds if able to show a resurgence back down in trip.

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14:10, Market Rasen - Timeform: Louis Veron

Dan Skelton has already amassed 59 winners this season at a strike rate of 39% and Loius Veron is expected to provide further success in the Summer Hurdle.

He has made good strides in his short career so far, not having to improve on previous form to open his account at Warwick last month, but he wasn't fully extended to do so, and he was even more impressive when following up under a penalty at Stratford recently.

Loius Veron again started at prohibitive odds, but was in a completely different league to his rivals, jumping fluently while travelling powerfully before stretching 16 lengths clear on the bridle.

He was given the Horse In Focus Flag following that performance and, while he now dips his toe into deeper waters on his handicap debut, and opening mark of 124 could well underestimate him, particularly given he's open to further improvement.

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14:25, Newbury - Mark Milligan: Unexposed Thunder can strike

Back on the flat, where Roger Varian's Ride The Thunder remains a stayer to be positive about following his sixth-place finish in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle last time.

That was the selection's first try over 2m having produced a good comeback run over 1m 5f at Hamilton on his previous start, finishing third to Valiancy, who subsequently ran with credit to finish sixth in the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot.

Further back in the field, Mountain Road also did the form a favour by winning next time, as did Trojan Sun, who finished out with the washing but went in on his next start at Carlisle.

Ride The Thunder is unexposed over this 2m+ and remains with plenty of potential for better than he's shown so far, while the booking of Tom Marquand only adds to the appeal.

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14:45, Market Rasen - Katie Midwinter: Glory awaits Mahons

In the Summer Plate at Market Rasen, ten-year-old gelding Mahons Glory could defy top weight for Dylan Cunha. He's a likeable performer who won over course-and-distance from a 4lb lower mark recently, and should put in a bold bid under Lee Edwards.

The son of Fame And Glory has been fantastic for his current trainer over the past year and a half, winning both of his first two runs for his trainer since leaving the Patrick Nevill operation, before placing on multiple occasions and making the frame in tough races, including when fourth in the Sefton and sixth in the Topham.

Whilst he has to prove himself from a higher rating, he could be capable of doing so as he has plenty of heart and a tenacious attitude. If getting into a good rhythm, Mahons Glory will be tough to pass and has course form in his favour.

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15:02, Newbury - Alan Dudman: Soldier's Tree is best bet material

I've been keen on Soldier's Tree all week for the Hackwood and at 11/43.75 he looks the best bet of the weekend.

Noble Champion and Jasour hold superior ratings as older horses, but the former has been well beaten on his previous two starts over 6f and 7f and Jasour is exposed and is hardly going to take a leap off in terms of form.

Soldiers Tree was entered in the Group 1 6f Sprint at Royal Ascot, but his trainer opted for the Wokingham - a race in which he finished a fine third off 107 and was conceding weight to Double Rush and Completely Random.

I can see the 6f at Newbury suiting him well, and the ground won't be an issue after his Royal Ascot and Salisbury runs this term.

He is lightly-raced and still holds some lofty entries for the rest of the season and the 11/43.75 had gone by 13:30 on Friday into 9/43.25.

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15:15, Ripon - Mark Milligan: Harbour fancied to Star

One of the obvious starting is points is Charlie Johnston's Elsass, who was on searching for a hat-trick before finding things all a bit too much in good company at Newmarket last time.

He should appreciate dropping back down in grade, but so too should Irish raider Star Harbour, who routinely keeps better comanpy than this. Adrian McGuinness's eight-year-old hasn't won for some time but he's a consistent sort and I suspect his trainer isn't sending him all the way to Ripon for a taste of the Yorkshire air.

A repeat of his runner-up finish at Carlisle two starts back when he bumped into subsequent Royal Ascot winner Opportunity will see him go very close here and he looks overpriced at 10/111.00.

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15:37, Newbury - Timeform Verdict: Etienne can overcome inexperience

No shortage of chances and despite his relative lack of experience in comparison to most, it could be worth chancing Etienne. Richard Spencer's colt shaped with definite promise when just touched off on debut at Newmarket 23 days ago and with that form worth viewing positively, he looks to hold good claims.

Bint Archange sets the standard on her victory at listed level and is an obvious threat, along with Sky Secret. Rollthedicebaby and Final Appeal complete the shortlist.

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16:35, Curragh, Irish Oaks - Sam Turner: Thunder to roar back to winning ways

There were valid excuses for the eclipse of Thundering On in the Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes last time and the daughter of Frankel may well bounce back to form now she tackles her own age group once more.

An impressive winner of the Oaks at Epsom with some give underfoot, the first foal of Pretty Polly winner Thundering Nights was found to be coughing following her reverse at today's venue three weeks ago so to be beaten just two lengths on the fastest ground she has encountered was still a courageous effort.

Hopefully, that race hasn't left a mark, but Joseph O'Brien is a master trainer so no chances would have been taken with her preparation.

The sight of the selection sauntering through the Oaks at Epsom before quickening past the useful Legacy Link was impressive and O'Brien has a couple of other live chances in Ribblesdale runner-up Johanna Walsh and the unbeaten Rebel Moon (clocked a swift time at Naas in Group 3 company last time) to supplement the selection's chance.

However, if Thundering On brings her 'A game' her turn of foot could be tough to resist now that she returns to a mile and a half.

Read Alan Dudman's Big Race Verdict on the Irish Oaks

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