Saturday Racing Cheat Sheet: Best bets for ITV Racing at Newcastle and York on Northumberland Plate day

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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
13:40 Newcastle	Katie Midwinter	Sergeant Wilko E/W	15/28.50
13:55 York	Sam Turner	Frankies Dream E/W	13/27.50
14:10 Newcastle	Katie Midwinter	Diligent Harry	4/15.00
14:25 York	Sam Turner	Fortification	9/25.50
14:40 Newcastle	Mark Milligan	Hermetic E/W	16/117.00
15:15 Newcastle	Alan Dudman	Team Player E/W	8/19.00
15:45 Newcastle	Katie Midwinter	Cool Hoof Luke E/W	8/19.00

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Saturday Horse Racing Tips and Insight

13:40, Newcastle - Katie Midwinter: Sergeant can boss rivals

Kevin Ryan-trained Sergeant Wilko has shown decent form at the track previously and could have more to give over this trip, unexposed over 7f but only narrowly denied over the distance at Thirsk when last seen. He finished a creditable fifth over 6f at this meeting twelve months ago, having won over the same course-and-distance earlier in his career.

The five-year-old gelding is now 4lb below his last winning mark and should be capable of posing a threat. He was fourth to The Caltonian here from a 2lb higher rating in January, and, although not at his best in two subsequent runs, returned to form when last seen, therefore could be worth keeping onside under Sam James.

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13:55, York - Sam Turner: Dreaming of a winner

Having won his first race off a mark of 50, Frankies Dream has made remarkable improvement in the 18 months that have ensued.

Now rated 81, the selection has posted three excellent efforts on the Knavesmire, including when runner-up to the very well supported Point Of Contact over nine furlongs.

This slight step back in trip should favour a horse that races enthusiastically which is the reason he sports the hood with connections keen, no pun intended, for him to drop his head.

His exuberance hasn't halted his progression though and the prospect of a strongly run mile should be ideal for him to showcase his skills.   

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14:10, Newcastle - Katie Midwiner: Harry a Diligent selection

Clive Cox-trained Diligent Harry has form figures of 31151 over this course-and-distance, including a win and a third-placed effort in this contest.

The defending champion holds leading claims as he bids to successfully retain his crown, having defied odds of 16/117.00 to beat Annaf in last year's renewal, and he comes into the race following a fruitful first half of the year.

In his return to action at Lingfield in January, the experienced eight-year-old shared the spoils with Completely Random before pulling a length-and-a-half clear of Clearpoint in his subsequent run. Both outings were at Listed level, before he was upped in class in a Newmarket Group Three, finishing a creditable fourth to the sadly ill-fated Run To Freedom at odds of 22/123.00, matching the same finishing position behind Elmonjed in a York Group Two when last seen.

In good form currently and with proven credentials in the race, at this level, at the track, Diligent Harry is the one to beat and could put in a repeat performance from twelve months ago by landing another renewal of this race.

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14:25, York - Sam Turner: Strong performance expected

There can't be a strong enough pace for Fortification to run at given he has hit the line strongly a number of times at York, over both five and six furlongs, this season.

The selection hasn't always been the most favourably drawn in his races, but has rattled home in the style of an improving sprinter on a number of occasions and he is reunited with Ben Robinson who was on board earlier in the season when the son of Mehmas obliged by 40/1.

He is again situated a little higher than ideal in stall 11, but there is pace drawn around him to ensure he gains a good toe into the race and he ought to be on the scene again.

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14:40, Newcastle - Mark Milligan: Hermetic can fulfill potential

I find it hard to believe that Hermetic was 100% when beaten miles at Goodwood last time and I'm prepared to judge him on the promise he'd shown before then rather than that abject run in isolation. He did get rather upset in the stalls before that run and, while that probably wasn't the only reason for such a poor effort, it certainly wouldn't have been any help.

Prior to that, the ex-French gelding had made a good impression when third on his debut for the Ian Williams stable behind Master Builder at York, looking very much the type who would win good handicaps for his new yard.

A fine, big sort, there is still plenty of time for Hermetic to fulfill the potential he showed when wining twice in four starts for the Christophe Ferland stable over the Channel and he could be a well-handicapped horse from a mark of just 81.

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15:15, Newcastle - Alan Dudman: Team Player fancied to score

Team Player was one of my antepost tips earlier this week at 12s, so I am pleased to see him fairly strong in the betting now at 8/19.00 for Saturday's big race and he looks to have all the tools and well equipped for a race of this nature.

Is he good enough to win the Pitmens' Derby?

He will stay, no issue on stamina, as he landed a course and distance handicap at Newcastle in February coming from off the pace to score comfortably.

That was his first try at 2m and he had the best finishing final furlong in the race from a speed finish of 105%. Team Player then was quick enough to win at a speedier circuit around Musselburgh over a shorter trip at 1m5f to make it two-from-two for the season, only for him to lose his unbeaten record this year when fifth in the Chester Cup.

He had a poor draw and also fared best of those held up at Chester and it was fairly obvious he was a little unlucky as he was the only horse to crack 12 seconds at the final furlong - running 11.91 seconds.

Off the same mark 92 and with new headgear for the first time, I think he holds a decent chance here.

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15:45, Newcastle - Katie Midwinter: Stay Cool with Luke

A two-time winner as a juvenile, including the Group Two Gimcrack Stakes, as well as as close fourth-placed finish in the Coventry Stakes, Cool Hoof Luke spent 526 days off following his four appearances during his debut campaign. He returned with a creditable third behind Diligent Harry and Completely Random in a Listed Lingfield contest, before returning to the winners' enclosure at Wolverhampton.

In recent outings, he has failed to build on his earlier promising efforts this year, but his run at York in his penultimate start is worth forgiving and he attempted to make all at Salisbury before struggling to see out his effort in a race won by subsequent Royal Ascot Group One winner Almeraq.

There should be more to come from Cool Hoof Luke as he drops into handicap company here, and he could be worth keeping the faith in for Andrew Balding considering the level of form he has shown when at his best. He's a talented performer and has proven he still retains ability this year, therefore is one to note in the hands of Rob Hornby from a mark of 104 on handicap debut.

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