Horse Racing Tips: Sam Turner's best bets for Saturday including a handicap nap

Bath, 14.30 - Harry Mole each-way @ 6/17.00

2 (6)

Harry Mole

• J: Dougie Costello
• T: Steph Hollinshead
• F: 644-052

• SBK 4/1
• EXC 5.1

The switch from Thirsk to Bath will require some dexterity on the part of Harry Mole, but he is lightly raced and, with his stable among the winners, he should make his mark on this modest sprint.

The son of Bungle Inthejungle clocked a clear career best last time, narrowly failing to break his maiden under Dougie Costello and the form of his effort has already taken a boost courtesy of third-home Toptime who won at Nottingham during the week.

Staffordshire handler Steph Hollinshead has been on the mark with Albeyours and Magic Music of late and, with the drop into Class 6 company yielding a better result at Thirsk, this 0-55 looks well within the selection's grasp.

Sandown, 15.17 - Back Cogitate each-way @ 10/111.00

11 (8)

Cogitate (Ire)

• J: Charles Bishop
• T: Eve Johnson Houghton
• F: 7242-2073

• SBK 14/1
• EXC 15.5

There are a number of firsts surrounding Cogitate's outing today,  not least his first start for Eve Johnson Houghton following the gelding's switch from Charlie Hills.

The five-year-old also sports the cheekpieces for the first time which should sharpen his mind and hopefully see him step up on recent efforts for his former handler.

Cogitate can't be accused of being a serial winner, but he again ran well over course and distance last time when keeping to his task up the Sandown hill after being caught a little flat-footed when the pace quickened in a tactical affair.

The son of Churchill is a little more exposed than a number of his rivals which sit towards the head of the market, but a change of stables and the application of headgear means that with four places on offer he makes some appeal from an each-way perspective.

Sandown, 17.07 - Back Percy Shelley @ 5/23.50

3 (9)

Percy Shelley

• J: Oisin Murphy
• T: James Owen
• F: 6322222-4

• SBK 3/1
• EXC 3.85

With nine winners in the last fortnight, trainer James Owen is in rampant form at present and Percy Shelley could prove the answer to this Class 4 finale.

The booking of Oisin Murphy looks a statement of intent aboard the dual purpose seven-year-old who returned to the level with an encouraging display at Goodwood when chasing home the likes of subsequent winner Arc Zoosve and Solar Pass and St Mawes who have both finished second in decent contests since.

This slight drop in trip may help the son of Sir Percy get his head in front for the first time on the level in the UK and, if he can't win with the Champion Jockey on board and conditions to suit, he might never manage the feat.   

Now read Katie Midwinter's latest horse racing tips here