Saturday Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets including 14/1 2000 Guineas fancy

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Newmarket, 13:45 - Back Brian E/W @ 25/126.00

Four-year-old gelding Brian shaped with great promise as a juvenile, putting in a number of good performances against horses such as Bedtime Story, Cool Hoof Luke and Lady With The Lamp. 

He began his previous campaign in similar fashion, finishing fourth to Big Mojo in the Group Three Commonwealth Cup Trial at Ascot, but struggled to kick on although did show he still retains ability when second at Newbury. 

Now 2lb lower than that runner-up effort, the son of Shaman could be worth keeping onside from a workable mark. Things didn't pan out favourably for him when last seen, but he was supported from 50/151.00 into 14/115.00 when failing to get the run of the race, and holds each-way claims once again in his 18th career start.

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Goodwood, 14:05 - Back Betty Clover E/W @ 30/131.00

A close second in the race last year to subsequent Royal Ascot winner Crimson Advocate, Eve Johnson Houghton-trained Betty Clover has proven form in the race in her favour as she bids to return to form following a fifth-placed effort in her reappearance outing at Kempton in March. She has the benefit of a recent run here, as she did last year, and could improve for her return to action.

Whilst she wasn't in the best of form during the second half of last season, the daughter of Time Test had some excuses. She had been pulled up during the summer at Royal Ascot and found to be lame, therefore can be forgiven for not quite being at her best in subsequent runs including in softer conditions. This should suit and she is too big a price to ignore at 30/131.00.

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Newmarket, 14:20 - Back Ancient Rome E/W @ 20/121.00

Charlie Hills-trained Ancient Rome has struggled for form in recent outings but is on a mark from which he can be competitive, 3lb lower than when narrowly denied at Sandown last summer. He was unable to get into a position from which he could threaten at Newbury in his reappearance, but could come on for the outing and can fare better with a more favourable trip here.

A classy performer earlier in his career, the son of War Front made a successful start for his current trainer when defying odds of 33/134.00 in the Chesterfield Cup at Goodwood a few years ago having left the André Fabre yard. He went on to win the valuable Mint Millions in his subsequent start, but has lacked consistency since.

On a going day, the seven-year-old is capable of outrunning his odds and making the frame under Kieran Shoemark, and is impossible to discount considering his credentials.

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Thirsk, 14:40 - Back City Of Poets E/W @ 6/17.00

James Tate-trained City Of Poets makes only his eighth career start in this mile contest, his fourth on Turf, and remains unexposed from a mark of 93. The son of Ghaiyyath has recorded three wins during his career to date, performing generally consistently well including when last seen.

In his return to action at Wolverhampton, the four-year-old emerged with credit in third to First Principle, beaten half-a-length following a 132-day break. He's capable of taking a step forward from a 2lb higher rating and should still be open to further progression.

With the ceiling of his ability unknown currently, City Of Poets shouldn't be underestimated and warrants respect under Dylan Hogan as he seeks a fourth career win.

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Punchestown, 15:05 - Back Union Station E/W @ 14/115.00

Seven-year-old gelding Union Station has caught the eye in fourth in both of his latest two runs, including in the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. He stayed on well at Prestbury Park from the rear of the field to make the frame at odds of 28/129.00 under Keith Donoghue, and was able to match that effort at Fairyhouse in his subsequent run.

Now 7lb lower than at Cheltenham and dropped 1lb for his previous outing, the Gavin Cromwell-trained contender could be worth keeping the faith in as he seeks a first career success. He has often shaped as a promising staying chaser and could still be on an upward trajectory, appearing on a workable mark with the step back up in trip likely to be in his favour.

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Newmarket, 15:35 - Back Thesecretadversary E/W @ 14/115.00

Fozzy Stack-trained Thesecretadversary has been steadily progressive so far in his career, gaining valuable experience with appearances at Royal Ascot and in Grade One company at Woodbine. He was luckless on his trip to Canada, but proved he has the credentials to be competitive at the top level with a favourable run, following on from a Listed success over Brussels at Tipperary.

A winner on reappearance at Leopardstown last month, the son of St Marks' Basilica impressed to win nicely on that occasion, following in the footsteps of the likes of Poetic Flare, a subsequent winner of this Classic, as well as last year's winner Henri Matisse, who went on to land the Poule d'Essai des Poulains.

There could be more to come from Thesecretadversary, who has already shown to possess plenty of talent. He should have the class to enjoy a fruitful campaign at the top level this term, and may be good enough to make his presence felt in this field.

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Newmarket, 15:35 - Back Avicenna E/W @ 12/113.00

Starspangledbanner colt Avicenna caught the eye in defeat to Oxagon in the Craven Stakes last month, beaten two-lengths by the winner but staying on well in the closing stages. Things didn't pan out favourably for him during the race but he gained valuable experience over course-and-distance on the Rowley Mile, which should hold in good stead, and now has the benefit of a recent run.

In his penultimate start, the Roger Varian-trained contender beat subsequent Group Three winner Hankelow to claim Listed honours at Doncaster, again finishing strongly, closing late on to just prevail. This trip should suit and he appears on an upward trajectory, with plenty to like about his chances as he steps up into Group One company.

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Punchestown, 15:45 - Back Bill Baxter E/W @ 9/110.00

A dominant winner of the race last year, defending champion Bill Baxter warrants the utmost respect following a 12-length victory in the previous renewal, despite being 9lb higher rated. 

Pulled up when attempting to regain his Topham Chase crown at Aintree, the likeable grey wasn't seen to best effect on that occasion but he has put in a couple of decent efforts this term, including when second to Haiti Couleurs over hurdles at Newbury, and the return to Punchestown could spark some improvement.

The 10-year-old son of Milan has proven form in the race which should hold him in good stead and could put in a bold bid for Warren Greatrex as he bids for an eighth career win under Harry Bannister.

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Goodwood, 16:00 - Back City Of Delight E/W @ 7/18.00

Course-and-distance winner City Of Delight is only 3lb higher than his last winning mark for David Menuisier, and should be able to be competitive from a rating of 90 following a spell in Dubai over the winter. He was only narrowly denied by Ruling Dynasty in his penultimate start when a well supported 5/23.50 favourite, slightly unlucky to suffer defeat but emerging with credit behind a horse who subsequently finished fourth to Rebel's Romance.

Still potentially on an upward trajectory, the five-year-old gelding could be worth keeping onside back in Britain and is one to note under Rab Havlin for a local trainer. He has course form in his favour and remains of interest from a higher mark, capable of showing further progression.

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Punchestown, 17:30 - Back Tripoli Flyer E/W @ 20/121.00

Now on a mark of 141 with Fern O'Brien claiming 5lb in the saddle, Tripoli Flyer appears well treated at the weights and the step back up in trip over obstacles should suit. He was able to stay on well and show a good attitude to finish eight to Wilful at the Cheltenham Festival, appearing to find a second win late on over the 2m1f trip, and is 1lb lower than that here, capable of better.

His form when second to Came From Nowhere at Ascot has taken a boost this week with Le Frimeur claiming Grade One success at this festival, and he's a Grade Two winner who is still unexposed in handicap company but has the class to be competitive.

The likeable seven-year-old hasn't enjoyed the most fruitful season up until now but could end on a high for Fergal O'Brien, possessing the talent required to outrun his odds at least in this competitive contest.

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