Saturday Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets including 20/1 Ascot fancy

• Katie Midwinter has selections across the British and Irish cards

• Bad can be good in Ascot handicap

• Nicky Richards-trained runner could regain his title

• Course specialist makes appeal in twilight meeting

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Thurles, 11:37 - Back Any Road @ 10/34.33

Making only his third appearance over fences, a first in handicaps, Any Road is one to note for Andrew Slattery on the back of a creditable fifth behind Jacob's Ladder at Fairyhouse. He finished well from a wide position that day at odds of 18/119.00 and, coming into handicap company, could fare better.

A mark of 123 could be lenient for an unexposed performer, who could be capable of showing plenty of improvement. He has previously been able to run with credit from a higher mark over hurdles, including when fifth at odds of 40/141.00 in a Listed Leopardstown handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival.

Whilst he must transfer that hurdling form to chasing, Any Road has proven himself to be a horse with the ability to hold his own in competitive handicaps and has already shaped with promise over the larger obstacles.

One to consider at a price of 10/34.33, Any Road could pose a threat under Gary Noonan in the Thurles opener.

Thurles, 12:12 - Back The Little Yank E/W @ 18/119.00

Versatile performer The Little Yank is on a workable mark from a rating of 91, 6lb below his last winning hurdles mark and 5lb lower than when narrowly beaten over fences at Wexford in July. 

Capable over both hurdles and fences, the experienced veteran has been running well since his return to action at Tramore in May, putting in a number of competitive performances. He won for the first time since September 2022 when victorious at Kilbeggan in June, and has since made the frame on multiple occasions.

In his latest two runs, The Little Yank has finished fifth in both a Fairyhouse handicap chase and Clonmel handicap hurdle. He also finished third at Navan to Themanintheboots at odds of 25/126.00 last month, emerging with plenty of credit.

From a falling mark, The Little Yank warrants each-way consideration as he's a brave horse who usually gives his all. Far from a forlorn hope, the John Patrick Ryan-trained legend, who makes his 99th career start in this extended 3m1f contest, can run his usual gutsy race and, with a favourable trip, can pose a threat under Daniel King.

Thurles, 12:47 - Back Amen Kate @ 7/24.50

Flemensfirth mare Amen Kate unseated at the start when aiming for black-type in the rearranged Listed Punchestown contest last week. Barring any mishaps at the beginning of this two mile contest, the daughter of August Kate should be able to put in a bold bid as she seeks a third career win.

The Tom Cooper-trained contender shed her maiden tag over obstacles at the second attempt at Galway in her penultimate start, comfortable justifying odds of 1/31.33 under Sam Ewing. She had previously been beaten 13-lengths by Carrigmoornaspruce at Listowel when no match for the talented winner but perhaps not quite at her best.

A bumper winner on debut last year, Amen Kate had beaten her familiar rival Carrigmoornaspruce by seven-and-a-half-lengths on that occasion at Listowel, before finishing a creditable fifth to future Champion Bumper winner Bambino Fever in the Dublin Racing Festival Grade Two bumper. She put in respectable efforts in fourth to both Switch From Diesel and Carrigmoornaspruce in bumpers during April, too, but didn't quite show as much progression as some of her rivals in that sphere and should fare better now hurdling.

Amen Kate possesses plenty of ability and is still unexposed coming into this race. She has the scope for plenty of further improvement, is a well-bred mare with potential, and can hold her own in this contest under the brilliantly in-form Jack Kennedy.

Ascot, 13:50 - Back Bad @ 16/54.20

Bad is very good on a going day as shown on numerous occasions at Kempton Park during 2025. He's now 6lb higher than his last winning mark when successful at the Sunbury-on-Thames venue on his reappearance in October, but he appears well treated at the weights based on his latest effort and could prove tough to beat.

When last seen, the Ben Pauling-trained grey put in a brilliant effort to finish fifth in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham's November Meeting. He was beaten seven-lengths at odds of 18/119.00 by the impressive winner, who has since franked the form with a dominant win in the Coral Gold Cup and is now rated 12lb higher on a mark of 147.

Runner-up Vincenzo has also enhanced the form of the competitive Cheltenham handicap with another second-placed finish in the December Gold Cup last weekend.

Prior to his brace of Kempton wins earlier in the year, Bad was unfortunate to fall at the track when travelling well in first-time blinkers. He was 14lb lower rated but has an extra year of experience under his belt on his return to Ascot which should hold him in good stead. 

Bad impressed in deep waters when last seen and proved he can be competitive against tough opposition in tricky handicaps. He remains a horse on an upward trajectory and holds solid claims from his current mark, returning to what is likely a more suitable track.

Haydock, 14:05 - Back Famous Bridge E/W @ 11/112.00

Course-and-distance winner Famous Bridge was successful in this race two years ago from his current mark of 135 and makes each-way appeal at generous odds of [..] as he bids to regain his crown. The nine-year-old runs well at this venue and can fare better than in his latest run here last month from a 3lb lower mark with proven form in the race.

Trained by the in-form Nicky Richards, who enjoyed a 26 percent success-rate during November and is currently recording a 31 percent strike-rated during December, Famous Bridge holds solid claims. He has proven stamina and a liking for Haydock in his favour.

With plenty to like about his chances, Famous Bridge warrants each-way consideration for a team in great form and should be capable of posing a threat in this field.

Ascot, 14:25 - Back Colonel Mustard E/W @ 20/121.00

Likeable performer Colonel Mustard has been in exceptional form of late, recording two wins from as many races so far this term which includes a Grade Two success over 156-rated The Yellow Clay at Navan last month.

Making his 30th career start in this contest, the Lorna Fowler-trained gelding is an enticing proposition at odds of 20/121.00. He must prove himself over this distance but his sire Makfi has produced three milers which bodes well for his chances despite not seeing out the trip to great effect behind Teahupoo at Punchestown in May.

Colonel Mustard is worth giving another chance to over the staying distances, particularly considering his respectable fifth in the Coral Cup at the Cheltenham Festival. He only has two-and-a-half-lengths to find with Impose Toi on that effort but is a much bigger price in comparison despite showing great form since.

In the form of his life currently, Colonel Mustard could be worth keeping onside on his return to a venue where he chased home Jonbon as a novice hurdler four years ago. He's a formidable contender on his day and is dangerous to oppose as he bids for a hat-trick of wins.

Ascot, 15:35 - Back Wreckless Eric E/W @ 18/119.00

Five-year-old gelding Wreckless Eric is yet to be fully exposed as he makes only his tenth career start for the Jackdaws Castle team in this competitive handicap. He has been running consistently well in tricky races bar his latest effort at Aintree, and can pose a threat if able to bounce back to form on his return to action from a mark of 129.

The Jonjo and A J O'Neill-trained gelding beat Cavern Club, now rated 18lb higher, in a Cheltenham handicap last year from a mark of 117, before chasing home now 138-rated chaser Mirabad and finished a creditable sixth to Secret Squirrel, beaten only a length-and-a-half by Kabral Du Mathan in that Windsor contest.

In the Betfair Imperial Cup in March, the son of Masterstroke finished a half-a-length second to Go Dante, who recently franked the form, from only a 2lb lower rating. There's plenty of substance to his form and, as a five-year-old, he could have further improvement to come.

One to note each-way at a price of 18/119.00, Wreckless Eric could be good enough to make the frame on a going day in a fascinating race.

Newcastle, 18:30 - Back Counting Cards @ 5/23.50

Making only his fifth career start, Counting Cards could break his maiden tag for Ed Bethell in this 7f contest under Callum Rodriguez, who has won on two of his last three rides and has a 22 percent strike-rate for the yard this year.

The son of Territories returned from a 399-day absence with a promising second-placed effort to Tribal Wisdom at Southwell in October, travelling well into the race but perhaps in need of the run after a layoff when passed late on.

It was a promising return to action and a run for which he is entitled to improve. This is his second outing following wind surgery, too, which could bring with it some improvement and the unexposed performer, who makes only his second start in handicap company, appears potentially well-treated from a rating of 75.

The three-year-old shaped with some promise as a juvenile last term, including when fourth to now 84-rated Force And Valour in a Thirsk maiden, and he has the scope for plenty of further improvement as a lightly raced contender with potential.

Newcastle, 19:00 - Back Yellow Lemons E/W @ 20/121.00

Four-year-old filly Yellow Lemons remains a maiden following 17 career starts to date, but has shaped with promise on occasions including when beaten only a length-and-a-quarter in her penultimate over course-and-distance.

She has shown to possess some ability which would suggest a first win isn't too far away, and she has plenty of recent course form in her favour as she seeks to shed her maiden tag.

In October, the daughter of Siyouni was able to finish a length-and-a-quarter second at odds of 20/121.00 to The Real McKay from the same mark as she runs from here. She's officially rated 2lb lower, but carries a low weight and can make the frame on a going day.

Yellow Lemons' latest run was disappointing but she was never in a position to threaten and she should be capable of returning to some form for Katie Scott. At a price of 20/121.00, she shouldn't be discounted each-way considering the form she has shown at the track in recent months.

Wolverhampton, 19:15 - Back He's A Gentleman @ 15/44.75

With form figures of 121225121 at the track during the last couple of seasons, He's A Gentleman warrants consideration at this venue and makes appeal at the weights only 3lb higher than his latest course-and-distance win in October.

He was well supported into 5/42.25 favouritism on that occasion, prevailing by a length over Captain Parma, before backing up the run with another promising effort at Southwell when second at odds of 20/121.00.

The likeable six-year-old has won from a higher rating in the past and should be capable of putting in a bold bid at this level under Cieren Fallon. He represents an in-form Hugo Palmer yard and should be tough to beat with a favourable trip.

Now read Sam Turner's latest tips here!