Saturday Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets including Longchamp nap and big-price Ascot selections

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Newmarket, 12:25 - Back Seren Star E/W @ [SP]

In Newmarket's opening handicap for the fillies, William Haggas-trained Seren Star could be worth keeping the faith in from a mark of 89 under Daniel Muscutt.

The four-year-old filly must bounce back following a couple of disappointing efforts, but she can be forgiven for finishing down the field in Listed company at Hoppegarten, having failed to fire when previously travelling to Saint-Cloud, and she could fare better than when last seen at Ascot.

During the summer when equipped with a first-time tongue-tie in the hugely competitive 24-runner Kensington Palace Stakes, the daughter of Profitable was able to outrun odds of 40/141.00 when beaten only three-quarters-of-a-length by stablemate Alobayyah, a Listed winner since now rated 102.

If able to return to the level shown at the Royal Meeting, Seren Star could have a part to play in this mile-and-a-quarter contest, well treated at the weights on the best of her form.

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Longchamp, 12:58 - Back Seagulls Eleven E/W @ 25/126.00

Four-year-old gelding Seagulls Eleven had been in the form of his life before a couple of below par efforts at Goodwood in recent outings. He was sent off at odds of 50/151.00 in a quality renewal of the Sussex Stakes in his penultimate start, treated for post-race ataxia following his 10th in that contest, and then failed to give his true running in the Celebration Mile won by Zavateri when last seen.

Some excuses can be made for his latest couple of runs, and, if able to return to his form during the first-half of the season, he should be able to pose a threat in this field. He was narrowly denied in a Saint-Cloud Group Two on reappearance before claiming Listed honours at Longchamp, doubling up in Group Three company at Epsom then narrowly denied in an Ascot Group Two when third behind Zeus Olympios and Holloway Boy.

Usually versatile in regards to ground conditions and having shown enough grit and stamina in closing stages of an extended mile contest in softer ground previously, this challenge over a mile-and-a-quarter could suit and a first and second from two runs in France reads well.

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Ascot, 13:15 - Back Midnight Tango E/W @ 8/19.00

Ed Walker-trained filly Midnight Tango has experience in Stakes company having performed with credit in multiple Group and Listed races, including when narrowly denied in the Group Three Commonwealth Cup Trial by Coppull here earlier this season, outrunning odds of 66/167.00. 

That form was subsequently boosted as Coppull went on to perform with great credit in the Group One July Cup, and, although Midnight Tango hasn't built on that brilliant effort, this is a different challenge back against her own sex.

A likeable filly on her day who has noteworthy form at this track, the daughter of Night Of Thunder makes each-way appeal under Kieran Shoemark. She has proven herself in deeper waters previously and should be capable of making her presence felt.

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Notable winners from Katie in recent weeks

• Haffner @ 4/1
• Tribal Chief @ 10/3
• Dragon Of Malta @ 13/2
• Good Morning Alex @ 14/1
• Copper Knight @ 13/2
• Greydreambeliever @ 5/2
• Tyger Bay @ 14/1
• Who's Glen @ 15/2
• Brian @ 11/2
• Zgharta @ 5/1
• Sunriseontheboyne @ 11/1
• Giant @ 20/1

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Gowran Park, 13:20 - Back Balko d'Ange E/W @ 16/117.00

Philip Fenton-trained Balko d'Ange shouldn't be completely overlooked in this Listed contest, unexposed at this level but potentially better than his current rating of 129 reflects when on a going day.

Things didn't pan out favourably for him in the spring but he had previously run well behind Bowensonfire when third at Leopardstown over the festive period, placing behind a winner who went on to frank the form.

The six-year-old could have further improvement to come and, although he's returning from a break, he has run well when fresh in the past and may outrun his odds under Brian Hayes.

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Gowran Park, 14:30 - Back Moonovercloon E/W @ [SP]

A return to hurdling could allow Moonovercloon to perform better than in his previous outings over the past year or so for current trainer Declan Queally and former trainer Matthew Smith. He was running a good race before falling at Kilbeggan when last seen, but had been pulled up in his penultimate start following a 10th placed effort on yard debut, therefore further improvement is required.

At his best, however, the likeable performer is well treated from a hurdling mark of 113. He finished a close third at odds of 50/151.00 in a Listed handicap over timber a couple of years ago when behind Chapeau De Soleil, rated 13lb higher on that occasion, and has put in a few competitive efforts over fences since from a much higher rating.

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Ascot, 15:00 - Back Jasour E/W @ 25/126.00

In the Group Three Bengough Stakes, Jasour could outrun his odds for Clive Cox and P J McDonald in his first start following wind surgery. He finished second at Listed company on reappearance in the spring, and wasn't disgraced behind Run To Freedom in his subsequent run at Newmarket, but hasn't been at his best since and may be capable of a resurgence post a wind operation.

The course-and-distance winner has performed with credit at Group One level at his best and, if able to return to anywhere near his peak, should outrun his odds with a favourable trip. At huge odds, he shouldn't be discounted and could give a better account of himself than in recent appearances.

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Redcar, 15:20 - Back Rlasthope E/W @ 33/134.00

With first-time cheekpieces applied, Rlasthope could outrun his odds for the training partnership of Tony Coyle and Kaine Wood in the hands of Tom Eaves. He is more exposed than a couple of others in the field but he has shown some decent form so far this term on occasion, including when fifth in the Brocklesby Stakes and when narrowly denied by Adonius in a novice event at Musselburgh.

At the Derby Festival at Epsom, he finished third to Hickory Lad in a competitive 18-runner contest, outrunning odds of 18/119.00, before getting off the mark at Southwell over subsequent winner Bereseford Gap. This requires a significant step up and further improvement, but there could be more to come from the son of Rajasinghe and he has already amassed some valuable experience.

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Bet of the day: Longchamp, 15:25 - Back Amelia Earhart E/W @ 11/112.00

In the Group One Prix de Royallieu over a mile-and-three-quarters, Amelia Earhart could emulate former Ballydoyle resident Grateful by claiming a surprise success in this race at generous odds for Aidan O'Brien. She remains largely unexposed over staying distances but stayed on well to place at a price of 22/123.00 in the St Leger when last seen, shaping with promise as a stayer.

By Camelot out of a dual Group Three-winning mile-and-a-half performer who placed in the Irish Oaks, Venus De Milo, Amelia Earhart is a sister to Chester Cup winner Cleveland, therefore should have stamina in abundance.

Things haven't quite worked out for her following her impressive Cheshire Oaks win in May, but she is a talented filly and shouldn't be discounted, still capable of showing further progression.

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Ascot, 15:35 - Back Golden Mind E/W @ 50/151.00

Outsider of the field Golden Mind shouldn't be ruled out at a massive price for Richard and Peter Fahey. He's currently rated 95 with 3lb claimer Warren Fentiman in the saddle, putting him in with an each-way chance if putting his recent run of form behind him.

He has struggled to compete in big field handicaps in recent months, but did finish a good fourth at odds of 33/134.00 from an 8lb higher mark when behind The Wizard Of Eye here in May, following on from a close second to a progressive filly in Bellarchi at Musselburgh.

Earlier this season, the five-year-old gelding proved he still retains plenty of ability. He has course form and is 4lb below his last winning mark, therefore a case can be made despite his latest form figures and he may be worth keeping onside from a workable rating.

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