Saturday Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets including 16/1 Ascot fancy

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Ascot, 13:35 - Back Kendall Roy E/W @ 13/27.50

Kate McGivern-trained Kendall Roy makes each-way appeal in the opener on Shergar Cup Day, a competitive 5f handicap sprint. He has been hugely progressive in recent seasons, earning himself a career-high mark of 103 this year with a Listed success at Cork in June when beating Likedbymike.

In his latest outing, the five-year-old gelding carried a hefty weight to third on his return to handicap company, only beaten half-a-length by winner Ipanema Queen at Mallow.

Off an unchanged mark of 102, he could give another good account of himself, warranting consideration as he's a formidable contender on his day.

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Ascot, 14:10 - Back Spirit Mixer E/W @ 10/111.00

Spirit Mixer is only 1lb higher than his last winning mark coming into this contest needing to bounce back following a disappointing effort in the Northumberland Plate, a race in which he was successful last year at odds of 25/126.00.

He's currently on a workable mark and has proven he still retains some ability this season when third to Align The Stars, the winner at Newcastle, on reappearance in the spring.

The strong stayer has plenty of noteworthy pieces of form on his record and could be worth keeping the faith in for Andrew Balding. In the hands of Saffie Osborne, he holds each-way claims and could make the frame.

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Bet of the day: Newmarket, 15:40 - Back Castle Rock @ 13/82.63

Equipped with first-time cheekpieces, handicap debutant Castle Rock could be tough to beat on reappearance for Charlie Appleby having shown some noteworthy form during his juvenile campaign last term.

Following a fourth on debut at Newbury, the Havana Grey colt won twice in respective Newmarket contests, beating a number of subsequent winners including now 96-rated We're Goosers, now 94-rated Savvy Disko, and now 89-rated Hallo Spaceboy.

An opening mark of 89 appears workable for the Godolphin colt, who fetched 650,000gns as a breeze up purchase last year. There's substance to the form and the yard is currently in good form, therefore Castle Rock makes plenty of appeal under Billy Loughnane.

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Redcar, 15:47 - Back Democracy Dilemma @ 11/102.11

Top weight Democracy Dilemma is dropping in class following a brilliant fourth-placed effort in a competitive handicap at the Goodwood Festival recently, and should have enough ability to win a race of this nature for Robert Cowell. He should be able to make his presence felt from a mark of 95, 4lb lower than his last win, holding solid claims in the hands of Tom Eaves.

The experienced six-year-old gelding makes his 45th career start in this 5f sprint, bidding for a ninth career success. He has competed in deeper waters previously and, from a workable mark, could be tough to beat if on a going day.

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Ascot, 15:55 - Back Blue Hercules E/W @ 8/19.00

In only his sixth career start, Blue Hercules is one to note for the training partnership of William Muir and Chris Grassick in this mile-and-a-half handicap. He was only narrowly denied over course-and-distance when last seen, beaten a neck by the much more experienced Tryfan at odds of 18/119.00, and could put in another bold bid at this track.

The lightly raced three-year-old is still seeking a maiden win but has shown good form in races won by the likes of Point Of Law and Echo Of Stars respectively. His debut appearance was in a Newbury maiden won by Water To Wine earlier this year, and he caught the eye in his second appearance at that venue when a staying on fourth at odds of 125/1126.00.

There should be further progression to come from the son of Ghaiyyath and he could be worth keeping onside.

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Ascot, 16:30 - Back Popmaster E/W @ 16/117.00

Course winner Popmaster has plenty of experience in his favour as he makes his 60th career start in this mile handicap. He has shown he still retains plenty of ability this year as an eight-year-old, with a win at Kempton in February from a 3lb lower mark followed by two narrow defeats in his subsequent pair of runs.

Most recently, he finished a creditable fourth to Indalo in a competitive 14-runner Sandown handicap at odds of 50/151.00 from his current rating, and could pose a threat in this contest for the in-form Ed Walker yard.

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Haydock, 16:40 - Back Lost Signal @ 7/24.50

Handicap debutant Lost Signal could be dangerous under Sean Levey in only his sixth career start. Unexposed from a mark of 91, he has shown good form against tough opposition so far during his career, including when placing third on debut to the talented, sadly ill-fated subsequent Group One winner Gewan, and when chasing home Talk Of New York on reappearance this term.

The son of Lucky Vega, who fetched €75,000 as a breeze up, struggled to show the best of his ability in a Cologne Group Two when last seen, but could fare better in this sphere, bidding for a third win in six starts. He had been running consistently well prior to his latest outing and could get back on track back in Britain.

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Haydock, 16:40 - Back Tilted Kilt E/W @ 12/113.00

Four-year-old gelding Tilted Kilt has finished second twice at this track in the past and holds each-way claims from a mark of 85 in familiar surroundings.

He's only 2lb higher than his last winning mark when successful at Southwell earlier this year, beating Down To The Kid by a length-and-a-quarter, and, although he has been unable to pose a serious threat since, he could fare better here.

Representing an in-form William Knight yard, the son of Persian King could make the frame and warrants each-way consideration.

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Kilbeggan, 19:18 - Back The Little Yank E/W @ 12/113.00

A strong stayer who will enjoy the sounder conditions at Kilbeggan, likeable gelding The Little Yank proved he still retains ability when returning to form over hurdles here last month. He finished a good third of 15 runners at odds of 28/129.00 that day, having been pulled up in each of his previous four runs before an 85-day break.

The 11-year-old is no stranger to outrunning his odds and could build on his reappearance with another competitive effort under 5lb claiming Michael Kenneally. He's making his 107th start in this race for John Patrick Ryan, having been a tremendous stalwart over the years, and shouldn't be overlooked considering he has such a tenacious attitude.

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