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

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Newcastle, 13:40 - Back Sergeant Wilko E/W @ 15/28.50

Kevin Ryan-trained Sergeant Wilko has shown decent form at the track previously and could have more to give over this trip, unexposed over 7f but only narrowly denied over the distance at Thirsk when last seen. He finished a creditable fifth over 6f at this meeting twelve months ago, having won over the same course-and-distance earlier in his career.

The five-year-old gelding is now 4lb below his last winning mark and should be capable of posing a threat. He was fourth to The Caltonian here from a 2lb higher rating in January, and, although not at his best in two subsequent runs, returned to form when last seen, therefore could be worth keeping onside under Sam James.

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Bet of the day: Newcastle, 14:10 - Back Diligent Harry @ 4/15.00

Clive Cox-trained Diligent Harry has form figures of 31151 over this course-and-distance, including a win and a third-placed effort in this contest.

The defending champion holds leading claims as he bids to successfully retain his crown, having defied odds of 16/117.00 to beat Annaf in last year's renewal, and he comes into the race following a fruitful first half of the year.

In his return to action at Lingfield in January, the experienced eight-year-old shared the spoils with Completely Random before pulling a length-and-a-half clear of Clearpoint in his subsequent run. Both outings were at Listed level, before he was upped in class in a Newmarket Group Three, finishing a creditable fourth to the sadly ill-fated Run To Freedom at odds of 22/123.00, matching the same finishing position behind Elmonjed in a York Group Two when last seen.

In good form currently and with proven credentials in the race, at this level, at the track, Diligent Harry is the one to beat and could put in a repeat performance from twelve months ago by landing another renewal of this race.

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Newcastle, 14:10 - Back Heathcliff E/W @ 20/121.00

Course-and-distance winner Heathcliff must show further improvement if he is to make his presence felt at this level, but he's dangerous to discount back on his favoured surface and should fare better than in his latest couple of outings on the Turf.

Representing the in-form James Fanshawe yard, Heathcliff could be capable of outrunning his odds having been competitive at Listed level already this term when second to Cool Hoof Luke at Wolverhampton.

The five-year-old gelding has run consistently well in tough handicaps, including from a mark of 105 when fourth to Wiltshire in the spring, and his experience should hold him in good stead stepping into this company.

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Newcastle, 14:40 - Back Charging Thunder E/W @ 20/121.00

Charging Thunder finished third in the Northumberland Plate last year from a mark of 91, therefore has valuable course form and should be capable of a resurgence in form from a 3lb lower mark, with Mason Paete claiming 5lb, in this year's consolation race.

Inconsistent since his run at this meeting last year, the eight-year-old has proven he still retains some ability of late with a decent effort at Beverley preceding a respectable seventh at Newmarket. He should be capable of making his presence felt from his current mark and is a certain stayer, making each-way appeal.

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Newcastle, 15:15 - Back Align The Stars E/W @ 12/113.00

Five-year-old gelding Align The Stars is 5lb higher than his previous handicap win, but only 1lb higher than when second to Goblet Of Fire at Newmarket in his penultimate start, and could be capable of a bold showing under Daniel Muscutt.

The Charlie Johnston-trained contender is a classy performer on his day and has run well in competitive staying handicaps in the past. He has proven form over the distance and holds solid each-way claims as he bids for a fifth career success.

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The Curragh, 15:20 - Back Velozee E/W @ 5/16.00

Sioux Nation filly Velozee performed well in the Queen Mary Stakes won by Victorious at Royal Ascot last week, but wasn't in a position to truly threaten for the major honours. She could be capable of better and makes each-way appeal against the warm favourite Sun Goddess in this Group Two contest.

Trained by Paddy Twomey, Velozee made a successful start to her career at Cork before landing Listed honours over 5f here. She couldn't make an impression in a Naas Group Three but appeared to still be a work in progress, learning with experience, and could show plenty of further progression under Billy Lee.

Velozee has already shaped with great promise and there should be more to come from the exciting prospect, who represents a top trainer.

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Newcastle, 15:45 - Back Cool Hoof Luke E/W @ 11/112.00

A two-time winner as a juvenile, including the Group Two Gimcrack Stakes, as well as as close fourth-placed finish in the Coventry Stakes, Cool Hoof Luke spent 526 days off following his four appearances during his debut campaign. He returned with a creditable third behind Diligent Harry and Completely Random in a Listed Lingfield contest, before returning to the winners' enclosure at Wolverhampton.

In recent outings, he has failed to build on his earlier promising efforts this year, but his run at York in his penultimate start is worth forgiving and he attempted to make all at Salisbury before struggling to see out his effort in a race won by subsequent Royal Ascot Group One winner Almeraq.

There should be more to come from Cool Hoof Luke as he drops into handicap company here, and he could be worth keeping the faith in for Andrew Balding considering the level of form he has shown when at his best. He's a talented performer and has proven he still retains ability this year, therefore is one to note in the hands of Rob Hornby from a mark of 104 on handicap debut.

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The Curragh, 15:55 - Back One Look E/W @ 9/110.00

One Look is another Paddy Twomey-trained filly who warrants each-way consideration on an exciting Curragh card in this Group One Pretty Polly Stakes. She faces stiff opposition in the form of Oaks winner Thundering On, and would likely prefer an easier surface, however, she's a formidable mare on her day and usually runs her race.

Her latest run behind stablemate City Of Memphis was a promising return to action over a mile here, and this extra quarter-of-a-mile will be in her favour. She now has the benefit of a recent run and should take a step forward from her reappearance.

This trip suits and she has proven form at the top level, narrowly beaten in the Prix de l'Opera last season, albeit in contrasting conditions.

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York, 16:15 - Back Logi Bear E/W @ 11/112.00

Three-year-old gelding Logi Bear shaped with promise last term for Richard Hannon, winning twice whilst placing behind the likes of Coppull and Havana Hurricane. 

Now residing with John Butler, the son of Kodi Bear returned to form at Thirsk when last seen from a mark of 70, beaten only a length in second by Daizen, and could strike once again from only a 1lb higher mark. 

He's 12lb lower than when fifth to Ardisia in a competitive higher class Goodwood handicap last summer, and, although he struggled for form in his later runs last year, he could be worth keeping onside following his latest outing.

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The Curragh, 17:05 - Back Flaming Rib E/W @ 25/126.00

A Group performer who was only narrowly denied by Perfect Power in the Commonwealth Cup earlier in his career, Flaming Rib is no longer performing to that level but has shown he still retains some ability and is on a workable mark of 75 under James Ryan in this contest.

Once rated as high as 113, the Listed winner was sent off at odds of 7/24.50 in his latest run in handicap company at Down Royal when far from disgraced behind Treasure Rose.

The seven-year-old gelding is capable of better from his current mark, however, and could be worth keeping the faith in as he attempts to record a first win since a Doha success in February 2023.

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