Saturday Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets including 33/1 Musselburgh fancy

Musselburgh, 13:55 - Back Golden Mind E/W @ 10/111.00

Five-year-old gelding Golden Mind won in his second start of the year last year, and could do so again having made his return at Kempton last month. He didn't fire in his most recent start but is entitled to come on for the run and is on a mark of 102 from which he can be competitive.

Only 3lb higher than his latest success, when outrunning odds of 33/134.00 to prevail at Doncaster, the son of Galileo Gold is without the 7lb claim of Ethan Tindall with Barry McHugh taking the ride, but has been able to pose a threat from a similar rating in the past.

Proven over this trip and having shown plenty of good form in tough, big-field handicaps previously, Golden Mind should be able to hold his own in this contest and warrants each-way consideration.

Haydock, 14:12 - Back Tashan E/W @ 12/113.00

Emma Lavelle-trained Tashan may be overlooked in this field and could represent value at double-figure odds under Harry Cobden. He remains unexposed in only his seventh career start, having already won three of his six hurdling outings to date.

On debut for former trainer John Butler, the son of Golden Horn was only narrowly denied by a promising, sadly ill-fated youngster in Aotano, who went on to frank the form, before winning his first two starts for his current yard beating Denzil on both occasions.

Following a 302-day break, Tashan returned with a fourth-placed effort at Chepstow in October and was able to take a step forward to return to the winners' enclosure at Exeter in his penultimate start when rated only 2lb lower. He was reported to have bled when pulled up at Ascot when last seen, having a reasonable excuse for the disappointing effort, and, if over his ailments after a mid-term break, could return to form.

Haydock, 14:46 - Back I Am Max E/W @ 16/117.00

Outsider of the field I Am Max could outrun his odds for in-form trainer Sandy Thomson in this extended three mile contest. He's partnered by Sam Twiston-Davies as he seeks a fourth career win and is on a workable mark of 117.

Having been seen predominantly over fences this term, including when winning from a rating of 118 at Hexham earlier in the season, I Am Max made a pleasing return over timber when last seen at Doncaster, finishing second from a 2lb lower rating. He improved on his previous few chase outings, returning in similar form that in his previous campaign and has been able to pose a threat from a higher mark in the past.

With the yard in good order currently, I Am Max is one to note each-way, making appeal at the weights.

Musselburgh, 15:05 - Back Shadow Dance E/W @ 33/134.00

At huge odds, Rebecca Menzies-trained Shadow Dance could put in a competitive effort under Kaiya Fraser, capable of faring better than in recent outings for the yard. He was far from disgraced behind Whitcombe Rockstar in his penultimate start, but failed to make any impression at Lingfield when last seen and does need to bounce back.

Now 5lb lower than when making his return this year, the six-year-old grey is 3lb below his last success and 8lb lower than when narrowly denied by the sadly ill-fated Faylaq in a competitive staying handicap at Doncaster.

Well treated at the weights with proven form over the trip, Shadow Dance could put in a bold showing, stepping back up in distance. He was sent off at odds of 9/110.00 when rated 100 for the Ebor last year, finishing seven-and-three-quarter-lengths behind Ethical Diamond.

Although he failed to see out his race strongly enough to have a major impact at York for former trainer Roger Varian last summer, these are calmer waters and he's on a much lower mark as he bids for a third career win.

Haydock, 15:20 - Back Neon Moon E/W @ 12/113.00

Only 1lb higher than his last win, Neon Moon makes each-way appeal at the prices for David Pipe under 7lb claiming Rian Corcoran. He hasn't been able to build on his win at Ascot earlier in the season in three starts since, but hasn't been overly raced and is a new addition to the veterans' contests as a 10-year-old.

His younger legs could allow him to pose a dangerous threat and he is on a workable mark from which to do so, having also shown form against tough and younger opposition this term. The son of No Risk At All should enjoy the sounder conditions as well as the trip, and has plenty in his favour in this contest, holding solid claims.

Musselburgh, 15:42 - Back Vintage Clarets E/W @ 14/115.00

Another contender on the Musselburgh card making his second appearance of the season for new training partnership of Richard and Peter Fahey, likeable performer Vintage Clarets could outrun his odds in this 5f sprint. He's entitled to improve for his recent outing at Southwell, and should be able to fare better from a 2lb lower rating under Cam Hardie.

The seven-year-old is 3lb lower than his last winning mark when successful at Ascot in August and was able to put in a number of competitive efforts last term from a higher rating against tough opposition.

A talented performer on his day who has plenty of experience in his favour, Vintage Clarets is more than capable of putting in a bold bid from a potentially lenient mark and shouldn't be discounted at double-figure odds. He finished second to Silky Wilkie in this race three years ago, therefore has course-and-distance form and could be able to match that effort at the least with a favourable run.

Cork, 16:02 - Back Powerful Nation E/W @ 9/110.00

Hugely impressive and consistent as a juvenile, the imposing Powerful Nation didn't enjoy the most fruitful of campaigns last year but plenty went wrong for him and he was unable to show his true ability on many occasions. He did finish second to the talented Bucanero Fuerte on his seasonal return, before landing Listed honours over 5f here in good fashion but struggled to make an impression in his subsequent races, although he had plenty of excuses.

The four-year-old, who has been gelded since last term, could be worth keeping the faith in for an Andrew Slattery team that has started the season in fine fettle. He was only narrowly denied against his elders at Group Three level as a two-year-old and has proven himself at this level in the past, therefore should be capable of posing a threat if things pan out favourably for him and he's ready on his seasonal return.

In previous runs following a break, the son of Sioux Nation has emerged with great credit, therefore could start the season well as he bids to return to form in familiar surroundings.

Newton Abbot, 16:20 - Back Striking A Pose E/W @ 12/113.00

Joe Tizzard-trained Striking A Pose is an interesting contender in this extended 3m2f contest at Newton Abbot. He's now 6lb lower than when recording his previous win at Warwick last May, 8lb below his mark when narrowly denied over an extended 2m5f at this venue on reappearance in September.

His recent form has left a lot to be desired, but his mark has dropped to a lenient rating as a result and he could be capable of a resurgence, stepping up further in trip in this contest. He was in good form this time last year and has run well at this venue in the past, therefore could be worth keeping the faith in, making appeal at the weights if able to bounce back.

Musselburgh, 16:45 - Back Pop Star E/W @ 18/119.00

Iain Jardine-trained Pop Star has dropped to a workable mark of 70 following a few below par efforts. He has to show improvement in this 5f sprint, but has good course-and-distance form from a much higher rating when narrowly denied here last summer, and could be capable of a resurgence under Andrew Mullen.

The six-year-old, who was previously trained by Aidan O'Brien before showing some potential for former trainer Alice Haynes, is back on his last winning mark which may allow him to return to form as he returns to the Turf. He could be worth keeping onside and is one to note each-way.

Fairyhouse, 17:00 - Back Sea Of Sands E/W @ 25/126.00

Closutton representative Sea Of Sands was a promising Flat performer who landed Group Three glory in Germany for Jean-Pierre Carvalho before switching to the Willie Mullins yard. He was sent off as the 5/16.00 joint-favourite for the Cesarewitch at Newmarket in 2024, following a maiden hurdle success at Listowel, but raced much too keenly, failing to see out his race.

In his subsequent run, he caught the eye in defeat when third at Grade Two level back over hurdles, and had excuses for some of his disappointing efforts in following runs. 

The son of Sea The Stars returned to form with a win over Charlus at Punchestown in December, but was pulled up in his latest start therefore needs to bounce back again. It could be too early to give up on him, however, and a mark of 133 could be lenient if at his best under Brian Hayes, who partnered him to his latest victory.

Now read more horse racing columns here