Horse Racing tips: Your 3 best bets at Ascot on Saturday

Demachine – 12:55 Ascot (nap)

Demachine was just a fair maiden over hurdles last season, but he is bred to make a better chaser – his dam is closely related to top-class chaser Sub Lieutenant and is a half-sister to Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Lord Windermere – and he duly showed much-improved form to make a winning start over fences at Uttoxeter last month.

He beat an impressive next-time-out winner easily that day, so a subsequent 10 lb rise in the weights looks fully justified, and Demachine should have plenty more to offer in this sphere.

Real Steel – 14:05 Ascot (next best)

Paul Nicholls won this race 12 months ago with Cyrname and looks to have another leading chance with stable debutant Real Steel. He is a high-class chaser at best who won a couple of Grade 2s in Ireland for Willie Mullins last season before running a cracking race to finish sixth in the Cheltenham Gold Cup on his final start. Still only a seven-year-old, there could be more to come from Real Steel having switched yards, while he also sets the standard on Timeform weight-adjusted ratings, too.

First Flow – 15:17 Ascot (each-way)

First Flow was a smart novice chaser last season, holding his form incredibly well and notching up four wins, notably a handicap at Leicester by 17 lengths from a 7lb lower mark. He mopped up a couple of easy races at the backend of the season and rates the type that will have even more to offer this season.

First Flow looks on a handy mark and, given his stable are in good form, he makes plenty of appeal on his return to action in the second of Paddy Power’s Millionaire qualifier races.

*Odds quoted on the widget are correct at time of publishing but all prices are subject to change.