Saturday Horse Racing Tips: Katie Midwinter's best bets including 40/1 York fancy

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Sandown, 13:32 - Back The Joker @ 4/15.00

Despite being a maiden following seven appearances, The Joker has put in a number of creditable efforts in defeat and should be capable of getting off the mark. This term, he has recorded form figures of 332 in three outings, with a number of horses franking the form from those races.

The son of Zarak finished third to Lost Boys, a subsequent Wathnan Racing purchase who went on to win from a 6lb higher mark at Newbury and is now rated 96, on reappearance over an extra furlong here. He was then third to subsequent dual winner Folk Pageant, who won at the Derby Festival last weekend and is now rated 19lb higher, with Sharp Romance, a winner at Nottingham since, in second.

With plenty of course experience in his favour, and having shown consistency generally throughout his career to date, this could be a feasible opportunity for the Jane Chapple-Hyam-trained contender to get off the mark under Billy Loughnane.

He has shown he has ability and has bumped into a number of well-handicapped horses this term, therefore could be capable of progressing beyond his current rating of 81 and may be worth keeping the faith in.

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Chester, 13:35 - Back Tough Enough E/W @ [SP]

Six-year-old gelding Tough Enough shaped with promise in his earlier days but has struggled for consistency since and is winless since a Sandown success in August 2023.

Despite this, he has been able to pose a threat on occasion since joining Antony Brittain from the James Tate stable, and is on a low mark of 70 currently, running off 75 in this contest.

He's only 2lb higher in this race than when second on reappearance at Southwell, and is 9lb lower in the weights than when outrunning odds of 40/141.00 to be beaten only a length-and-three-quarters at Newcastle last term.

At huge odds, the son of Showcasing shouldn't be discounted as he's more than capable of performing from his current mark in a race of this nature if on a going day. He had excuses at Doncaster when last seen, and could bounce back to form here.

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York, 14:25 - Back Glenfinnan E/W @ 20/121.00

Likeable gelding Glenfinnan returned to winning ways with a narrow success at Beverley recently, and could be capable of another bold bid from only 1lb higher. He hadn't been seen to best effect in his previous outings this term, but had excuses and showed he still retains plenty of ability when recording his fifth career success when last seen.

Trained by Michael Dods, Glenfinnan was formerly in training with Andrew Balding and caught the eye in his second career start when chasing home Desert Order at odds of 33/134.00 in a competitive maiden at the Ebor Festival. He got off the mark in his subsequent run, and has put in many great performances since, including from a much higher rating.

A mark of 79 could still prove lenient, and Glenfinnan may be worth keeping onside over his optimum trip of 7f on the Knavesmire where he has run well in the past.

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York, 14:25 - Back Akkadian Thunder E/W @ 20/121.00

From a mark of 91, Akkadian Thunder could pose a threat having previously shaped well from a similar rating and higher. He chased home Fine Interview when emerging with credit on reappearance at Doncaster in March, and bounced back from a disappointing subsequent effort when third at the same venue last weekend.

Last year, the David O'Meara-trained runner put in a number of excellent performances, winning at Doncaster in June before chasing home Never So Brave in the Buckingham Palace Stakes when rated 4lb higher. He amassed plenty of experience in tough handicaps in deep waters, which should hold him in good stead on the Knavesmire.

On a workable rating, the six-year-old son of Night Of Thunder could be competitive under David Nolan and warrants each-way consideration.

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York, 15:00 - Back Epic Poet @ 10/34.33

In receipt of 5lb from favourite Al Qareem, Epic Poet gets the nod under Ryan Moore as he has plenty of good course form in his favour and has shaped well at Stakes level recently. Last season, he was only narrowly denied by Rebel's Romance over course-and-distance in the Yorkshire Cup, and has emerged with credit from multiple Group-level contests this year.

A strong stayer for David O'Meara, Epic Poet is a formidable rival on his day and this could be his chance to land another Stakes win in Listed company. He is a likeable performer and should be capable of a bold showing.

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Sandown, 15:17 - Back Tilted Kilt E/W @ 18/119.00

Four-year-old gelding Tilted Kilt is capable of better than shown at Ascot in his latest run and could return to form having previously recorded an impressive victory at Southwell on seasonal reappearance.

The son of Persian King could have more to give from a mark of 87 as he has been able to compete in races won by talented rivals such as Dividend in the past. He's 4lb higher than his last success but may be capable of showing further progression and makes each-way appeal at the prices for William Knight.

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York, 15:35 - Back First Legion E/W @ 20/121.00

Making each-way appeal, First Legion is one to note from a mark of 88 on his return to York, having finished fifth at the Dante meeting in a competitive 14-runner handicap when sent off as the 4/15.00 favourite when rated 2lb higher.

He has struggled to finish in front, failing to win since his debut success last year on the Knavesmire, but often shapes with promise in tough races and could be capable of a bold showing from a lower mark in familiar surroundings.

It may be worth keeping the faith in the son of Mehmas, who is yet to be fully exposed and has been gaining valuable experience in big-field contests. Things haven't quite panned out favourably or fallen right for him as of yet, but he has shaped with great promise on occasion, including from a higher mark at this track, and this could be his opportunity to land a race of this nature.

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York, 15:35 - Back Super Soldier E/W @ 40/141.00

Karl Burke-trained Super Soldier is another colt to consider in this competitive handicap. He faces a stiff enough task from a mark of 100, but should improve for his return to action in Listed company at Doncaster and held a Group One entry in the Commonwealth Cup. He has form in Stakes company and was only narrowly denied in a Chantilly Group Two last summer, proving he possesses a high level of ability on his day.

Unexposed in handicap company, the grey son of Dark Angel could be dangerous on handicap debut as he has class and has shown form in deep waters. He's a likeable colt and there could be plenty more to come from him in only his 10th start.

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Chester, 16:00 - Back Vintage Clarets @ [SP]

Course-and-distance winner Vintage Clarets ran an excellent race in defeat in the Dash at Epsom on Saturday, finishing a close second to Arklow Lad at odds of 11/112.00. He has been upped 3lb for that placed effort, with 3lb claimer Warren Fentiman taking over from 5lb claiming Ethan Tindall, but remains on a workable mark, 8lb below his last win.

The experienced performer has valuable course form in his favour as he bids for an 11th career win in his 63rd start. He's currently in good order and put in a creditable effort behind Roman Dragon when luckless here during the May meeting.

This could be the perfect opportunity for the Richard and Peter Fahey-trained contender to record another win as there's plenty in his favour from a favourable draw.

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Chester, 16:37 - Back Fox Journey @ [SP]

Declan Carroll-trained Fox Journey has been in good form so far this term, finishing second to Fast Fred at Musselburgh before placing third behind Master Builder in a competitive York handicap at the Dante Festival. He's 11lb lower than his last winning mark in calmer waters than when last seen, and could be capable of a bold showing as he steps back up in trip.

Whilst he is unproven over the distance, there could be more to come from him as a stayer and he once finished third in the Melrose Handicap as a three-year-old. He's a half-brother to a two-mile winner in Forza Orta and remains unexposed over the staying distances, with the potential for further improvement.

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Bet of the day: York, 17:25 - Back Rousing Encore @ [SP]

Likeable gelding Rousing Encore usually runs his race and is generally a consistent performer with course experience in his favour. He didn't get the run of things in his latest outing at the track, but bounced back to form when a running on fourth at Carlisle when last seen.

The course-and-distance winner is dropping in class from a workable mark of 85, which should allow him to pose a threat under regular rider James Sullivan. He is 3lb higher than his last win but is more than capable of holding his own from his current rating having been competitive in deeper waters from a higher mark in the past, including when just denied by Elmonjed at this venue last summer from a mark of 87.

There's plenty to like about the chances of Rousing Encore, particularly at this level, and he could return to a familiar winners' enclosure following the finale on the card for Ruth Carr.

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Now read our Royal Ascot Mega Guide

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