Saturday Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets including seven at Ascot on British Champions Day

---

British Champions Long Distance Cup, 13:30, Ascot - Back Amelia Earhart E/W @ 25/126.00

Aidan O'Brien-trained Amelia Earhart has shaped as a promising stayer in recent starts, placing third at odds of 22/123.00 to Highwayman in the St Leger before matching that finishing position when beaten only a length in the Prix de Royallieu at Longchamp on Arc weekend. There could be more to come from the Camelot filly as she steps up further in trip, and she is one to note each-way at double-figure odds.

The three-year-old filly made a significant impression when beating I'm The One in the Cheshire Oaks on reappearance in May, before being sent off as the 7/42.75 favourite for the Oaks at Epsom. She could only manage sixth, well beaten by Classic-winning Thundering On, and couldn't pose a threat in a couple of subsequent runs either, but return to some form when second to Believed at the Curragh before two creditable outings at the top level. 

Still unexposed as a stayer, Amelia Earhart could outrun her odds for team Ballydoyle in this Group One contest. She is entitled to continue improving over the trip and has shown form at this level, albeit against her own sex or in her own age group. This is a tougher test but she may be on an upward trajectory in this sphere and could run well.

---

Newton Abbot, 13:42 - Back Intellotto E/W @ 11/112.00

Likeable chestnut Intellotto has been performing better than his recent form figures suggest since joining the Daisy Hitchins yard. He ran well for a long way in deep waters behind Alexei in last season's Kingwell Hurdle, before shaping well again for much of the race in the Cheltenham Festival finale.

In his latest start, he managed an improved seventh in the Sussex Champion Hurdle at Plumpton and, although he needs to improve further, there have been some promising signs. 

Earlier in his career, when trained by Joseph O'Brien, the gelding lined up in a couple of Grade One contests won by Kargese and Sir Gino respectively, whilst also winning four times by a combined distance of over 18-lengths.

There could be more to come from Intellotto considering he has shown a good level of ability in the past, and the drop of class from a lower mark of 126 could allow him to pose a threat in the hands of 5lb claimer Robbie David.

---

---

British Champions Sprint Stakes, 14:05 - Back Coppull E/W @ 9/110.00

Coppull wasn't seen to best effect in the Betfair Sprint Cup won by Almeraq at Haydock last month. He's capable of better at this level as proven when a good fourth at odds of 28/129.00 to Comanche Brave in the July Cup, beaten only a length-and-a-half by the winner who subsequently landed the Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh.

A talented juvenile last term, the Bated Breath colt finished third to Gstaad in the Coventry Stakes before beating Puerto Rico by a couple of lengths in the Richmond Stakes. He was beaten only three-quarters-of-a-length by Wise Approach in the Group One Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket, before returning in good order as a three-year-old, winning the Commonwealth Cup Trial over course-and-distance on reappearance.

With course form, the likeable colt should put in a creditable effort under Rossa Ryan. He's yet to be fully exposed and could still have further progression to come.

---

British Champions Sprint Stakes, 14:05 - Back Jasour E/W @ 50/151.00

Five-year-old grey Jasour is a big-priced outsider in this field, and does need to find significant improvement if he is to make the frame, but he isn't a forlorn hope on the best of his form and, if able to settle, could outrun his odds.

Another Clive Cox-trained contender, Jasour is making his second appearance following a wind operation and is reapplied with a hood alongside his usual tongue-tie. He was sporting this headgear combination when a decent sixth to Lazzat in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes last year, and when two-and-three-quarter-lengths behind No Half Measures in the July Cup, when beaten a neck for fifth by Notable Speech.

This year, the son of Havana Grey hasn't been able to show the best of his ability but has often had excuses. He has been racing too keenly and failing to settle, but he's capable of much better on a going day when things fall favourably for him, and has run well at this track before.

It's a good race for betting outsiders, too. Powerful Glory won this race at odds of 200/1201.00 last year, whilst Art Power claimed success at 40/141.00 two years prior and the likes of Sands Of Mali at 28/129.00 and Donjuan Triumphant at 33/134.00 have previously taken the prize. Although favourite Almeraq will be tough to beat if in similar form to his Haydock victory, it wouldn't be a shock to see a big-priced runner make the frame and Jasour could do just that.

---

Notable winners from Katie in recent weeks

• Knights Charge @ 11/8
• Green Empress @ 2/1
• Haffner @ 4/1
• Tribal Chief @ 10/3
• Dragon Of Malta @ 13/2
• Good Morning Alex @ 14/1
• Copper Knight @ 13/2
• Tyger Bay @ 14/1
• Who's Glen @ 15/2
• Brian @ 11/2
• Zgharta @ 5/1
• Sunriseontheboyne @ 11/1
• Giant @ 20/1

---

Catterick, 14:45 - Back Tyger Bay E/W @ 9/110.00

Course-and-distance winner Tyger Bay has been running well of late for Conrad Allen, and recorded his 15th career win in his penultimate start at Yarmouth when outrunning odds of 33/134.00 to prevail. He was beaten only half-a-length at odds of 28/129.00 in his subsequent run, and, in current form, should be worth keeping onside, particularly with proven track form.

The likeable nine-year-old has a vast amount of experience and recently made his 90th career appearance. He's on a workable mark only 2lb higher than his last win having performed from a higher rating in the past, and should give another good account of himself.

---

Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, 15:20, Ascot - Back Zeus Olympios E/W @ 12/113.00

Only narrowly denied by Rayif in the Group One Prix Jacques le Marois when last seen, Zeus Olympios holds each-way claims on his return to Ascot, having won on the Round Course here in July, beating Holloway Boy, Seagulls Eleven, who finished a good third in the Prix Dollar recently, and More Thunder. He hadn't quite been at his very best earlier in the season but still performed with some credit when behind the likes of Opera Ballo, Notable Speech and Ten Bob Tony.

There could be more to come from the colt, who is yet to be fully exposed having made only nine starts to date. He beat Opera Ballo convincingly in the Joel Stakes last autumn, following on from a two-length Group Three success at Haydock on Betfair Sprint Day, and, although he's yet to strike at the highest level, he has proven he can be competitive in this company.

---

Market Rasen, 15:45 - Back Pigeon House E/W @ 13/27.50

Pigeon House is 9lb below his last winning handicap mark and 3lb lower than when narrowly denied over course-and-distance in June when outrunning odds of 18/119.00 behind Ip Up on that occasion. He makes appeal at the weights if returning to the best of his form in these familiar surroundings, and this could be a feasible opportunity for him to record a fourth career win. 

Trained by Charles and Adam Pogson, the six-year-old has already amassed plenty of valuable experience during his career including when trained by Jessica Harrington and Jennie Candlish respectively. He has proven this year that he still retains ability and may be worth keeping onside under Beau Morgan, who claims 5lb in the saddle.

---

Bet of the day: Champion Stakes, 16:00, Ascot - Back Bay City Roller @ 6/17.00

Bay City Roller has proven his Group One credentials this season with a 10-length success in the Coronation Cup which followed a second-placed effort to Almaqam at the Curragh, and was able to outrun huge odds to place second to Daryz in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe when last seen.

Hugely underestimated at Longchamp recently, the four-year-old son of New Bay coped with quicker conditions well to make the frame and he's more than capable of holding his own in this company, having shown his versatility.

Although he's perhaps most effective in softer ground, the conditions at Ascot shouldn't pose any problem to the likeable contender, and, although he has to put in another top performance to beat this deep field, he has a huge amount of ability and may still be improving.

---

Now read why Alan Dudman is backing favourite Ombudsman in the Champion Stakes

---

Balmoral Handicap, 16:35, Ascot - Back Brian E/W @ 40/141.00

Four-year-old gelding Brian wasn't seen to his best at Goodwood recently but had previously returned to the winners' enclosure in emphatic style at Haydock, recording a convincing four-and-three-quarter-length success over Rhoscolyn on that occasion.

Upped 9lb for his third career win, the son of Shaman was beaten five-lengths in his subsequent start but he's capable of better than shown on that occasion and could outrun his odds in this contest.

During his career so far, Brian has often caught the eye against tough opposition including when a two-length fourth to Big Mojo in the Group Three Commonwealth Cup Trial here last year. He shouldn't be discounted having returned to form recently and is one to consider each-way in the competitive finale.

---

Balmoral Handicap, 16:35, Ascot - Back Tribal Chief E/W @ 16/117.00

Reserve Tribal Chief is one to note if getting into the race. He has to carry a 6lb penalty for his Goodwood win last month, despite being officially rated 2lb lower following a 4lb rise, but has 5lb claimer Jack Dace aboard. The David Menuisier-trained gelding has often threatened to win a competitive handicap such as this but has been luckless on numerous occasions. He has run well in similar contests, however, including here in May when third to The Wizard Of Eye, and his recent win should provide a confidence booster.

---

Catterick, 16:45 - Back Sir Yoshi E/W @ 12/113.00

Geoffrey Harker-trained Sir Yoshi could be competitive from a mark of 85 in this 5f handicap. He's yet to win for the yard but has been able to pose a threat on a couple of occasions when rated higher, and makes appeal at the weights under Sam James.

The four-year-old son of Mehmas shaped with promise as a juvenile, placing in Listed company following a maiden win at Tipperary. He was beaten only a length at Listed level in his second season, before being narrowly denied in a Navan handicap in his final start for former trainer David Marnane. 

Although he hasn't been the easiest to catch on a going day, Sir Yoshi has shown he still retains ability this year and is capable of outrunning his odds if at his best. He's on a workable mark and shouldn't be discounted, making each-way appeal as he bids to return to the winners' enclosure.

---

Now read more horse racing columns here

---

---