Saturday Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets including 10/1 Newbury fancy

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Newbury, 13:55 - Back River Spey E/W @ 10/111.00

Three-year-old gelding River Spey ran on well in a competitive 18-runner handicap at the Glorious Goodwood Festival recently, sticking to the task in the closing stages despite failing to pose a threat for the major honours, finishing in seventh behind winner Naana's Shadow.

He's currently only 2lb higher than his last winning mark when beating Comical Point at Windsor in June, and is partnered by 3lb claiming Ashley Lewis, putting him in with a solid each-way chance at the weights.

The Ed Walker-trained contender shaped with great promise as a juvenile last term, putting in a number of creditable efforts in competitive races which featured horses that have since significantly franked the form to earn high ratings. 

The son of Sergei Prokofiev finished third to Stellar Sunrise, now rated 100, in a Goodwood maiden last summer, before being just denied in fourth to Ruby's Angel at the Ebor Festival, and placing third to now 102-rated Simplify at Thirsk.

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Dundalk, 14:25 - Back Black Forza @ [SP]

Making his handicap debut from a mark of 96 in his first appearance following a gelding operation, Black Forza could put in a threatening performance under Dylan Browne McMonagle. He has form on an all-weather surface and enough class to make his presence felt in this sphere having proven himself in Stakes company previously.

During his debut campaign, the son of Complexity, who fetched £220,000 as a breeze up purchase, claimed Group Two success at Goodwood following on from a maiden win over Rudi's Apple at Fairyhouse. He earned himself a mark of 105 and also featured in Group One company, in the Middle Park Stakes won by Shadow Of Light with Whistlejacket in second. 

Although he wasn't seen much last season, he did prove he still retains ability when third to Valiant Force over 5f here. He may have needed the run on reappearance at Naas and, in calmer waters, could find better luck this time out. There could be more to come from the lightly-raced four-year-old and it may be worth keeping the faith in him.

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Newbury, 14:35 - Back Addison Grey @ 9/25.50

From a mark of 93, likeable performer Addison Grey could pose a threat under Hector Crouch in this 7f handicap. He was only narrowly denied by Mirabeau here on seasonal reappearance over 6f, before finishing a good fifth to Far Above Dream over the same course-and-distance in May.

The Clive Cox-trained gelding could benefit from a step up to 7f considering he has been finishing off his races well. He has course form in his favour and is still unexposed, holding strong claims having threatened from a similar rating already this season.

The son of Havana Grey has caught the eye on a number of occasions already this season and there could be further progression to come from him over this extra furlong.

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Newbury, 14:35 - Back Stellar Sunrise E/W @ 9/110.00

Stellar Sunrise is another contender to consider in this competitive handicap. He's a talented performer on his day and is another yet to be fully exposed.

Currently 5lb higher than his last winning mark, when beating Colori Forever over course-and-distance on reappearance during the spring, the Andrew Balding-trained representative could be capable of making his presence felt from a rating of 100, dropped 2lb for a disappointing Ascot effort.

He's entitled to show improvement in his second run following a gelding operation back in familiar surroundings, at a track where he is proven, and makes each-way appeal at a value price if returning to the best of his form in first-time cheekpieces.

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Newbury, 15:10 - Back Coppull @ 7/24.50

Coppull was able to outrun his odds of 28/129.00 to finish a brilliant fourth to Comanche Brave in the July Cup when last seen.

It was an improved effort on his decent eighth in the Commonwealth Cup, and proved he is still capable of making the frame in Group One level having gone close in the Middle Park Stakes won by Wise Approach as a juvenile last term.

The Group Two winner struck on reappearance this term in an Ascot Group Three, and has held his own in open company since, putting him in with solid claims at this level. 

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Deauville, 16:00 - Back Matauri Bay E/W @ [SP]

Four-year-old colt Matauri Bay shaped with promise as a juvenile when trained by Ralph Beckett before switching yards to the Gerald Mosse stable.

The 500,000gns yearling purchase, who later changed hands for 80,000gns, was successful on debut at Leicester before chasing home Field Of Gold in the Group Two Solario Stakes at Sandown, beaten only three-quarters-of-a-length by the future Classic winner.

Things didn't pan out right for him in his subsequent runs when trained in England, but he was able to return to winning ways in his second start for his current yard in a Chantilly mile contest.

This year, the son of Lope De Vega has run consistently well in five starts, including placing twice at Listed level. The step up to a mile-and-a-quarter could bring out further improvement on pedigree, and he may be worth considering each-way in this contest.

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Perth, 16:05 - Back The Last Cloud @ [SP]

Top weight The Last Cloud returns to handicap company in this two mile contest on his reappearance following a 168-day break. He was placed in Grade Two company last season when third in the River Don at Doncaster, following a creditable effort behind Idaho Sun in the Grade One Formby Novices' Hurdle at Aintree.

Earlier in the campaign, the likeable grey had also finished a length-and-a-half fourth to Fortune De Mer in a Cheltenham Grade Two, proving his class and that he possesses plenty of talent. 

With form in deep waters and form figures of 111 at this track, unbeaten here, the six-year-old holds solid claims and could return to winning ways in familiar surroundings under Brian Hughes for Patrick Neville.

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Bet of the day: Newbury, 16:20 - Back Great Bedwyn @ [SP]

Course-and-distance winner Great Bedwyn makes appeal from a mark of 84 in this mile-and-a-half contest under 5lb claiming Seamus Cronin, currently 3lb lower than his last winning mark.

The six-year-old gelding is 1lb higher than when a good second in a 17-runner York handicap to Master Builder earlier in the season, and, although he's failed to build on that effort in two runs since, could be worth keeping onside in these familiar surroundings.

He has plenty of experience and has been competitive in higher class races from a higher mark previously, therefore should make his presence felt for the Richard Hannon stable in the penultimate race on the card.

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Dundalk, 16:35 - Back Apercu E/W @ [SP]

Course-and-distance winner Apercu hasn't been seen to best effect so far this season but did finish second in her penultimate start and is currently 2lb lower than her last winning mark.

The six-year-old mare is on a workable rating and, with proven course form, could pose a threat in familiar surroundings. She hasn't been able to build on a promising fourth on seasonal debut at Cork, but is 3lb lower as a result and could get back on track under Ronan Whelan in this contest.

Having been tried in deeper waters previously, as well as being able to hold her own in tough, competitive, big field handicaps, Apercu has plenty of valuable experience in her favour coming into this race and this different assignment could spark improvement as she bids to return to the winners' enclosure in her 22nd start.

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Lingfield, 18:46 - Back Riley Rocks E/W @ [SP]

Logi Bear should put in another bold bid in this 6f contest following a promising effort at Nottingham, however, Riley Rocks is another contender in the field to note who holds less obvious claims on recent form but could be capable of posing a threat in calmer waters. 

Dropping in class following a disappointing effort at the Goodwood Festival recently, in which he was unable to get involved in a 26-runner handicap, the Dylan Cunha-trained contender could fare better from a mark of 72, 3lb lower than when winning on handicap debut in March.

The son of Sergei Prokofiev shaped with promise earlier this year, getting off the mark at the second attempt in a Newcastle novice event when beating three subsequent winners including now 82-rated Three Non Blondes. He doubled up in his subsequent appearance following an 84-day break and has put in a couple of creditable efforts since, but could still be capable of better and may find more luck in this lower class smaller field contest. 

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