Horse Racing tips: Paddy Power’s 7 Saturday selections

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change

Paddy Power has revealed his top selections prior to a packed Saturday of racing at Fairyhouse, Newbury and Newcastle.

Speaking on the latest episode of our twice-weekly From The Horse’s Mouth podcast, the main main has tipped up eight tempting selections across the tracks – including 7/1 shot Black Op in our latest Millionaire Chase qualifying race.

12.30pm, Fairyhouse – Impact Factor

This is not a particularly strong fancy but if IMPACT FACTOR is fit, it will have a decent chance. He was a decent novice last year but hasn’t run since May 2019 so is coming back from quite a long lay-off. But sometimes the first run back is the time to get on those horses so if there is money around for Impact Factor, I think he could be quite well-handicapped. However, if he’s a big drifted maybe leave alone as he might not be fully fit.

1.01pm, Fairyhouse – Minella Melody

I think, and am hoping, that Concertista will be a short-priced favourite because I would be happy to bet against here. She wants a big field and fast pace, while she runs well in the spring at Cheltenham – all those things have to come together. At this time of year, I would definitely be taking her on.

MINELLA MELODY will hopefully be around 4/1 and I would be fairly confident about her beating Concertista. To be honest I didn’t look beyond Minella Melody, so you could make a case for Carrigeen Lotus!

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1.50pm, Newbury – Tea Clipper

There are a couple of horses in here that could be very well-handicapped, but you would wonder if this is the day for them. I’m thinking Champagne Platinum and Rathhill, so if there is a big plunge on one of them then you would be listening. Armour de Nuit is one that is most likely going to be going for this, but I think TEA CLIPPER, the favourite, is going to be hard to beat. I will stick with him as he still looks to be a bit ahead of the handicapper.

2.05pm, Newcastle – Silver Streak (without Epatante)

Epatante at 8/11 is nearly backable in a Double or something like that, but I don’t know if I want to be backing her this early in the season. SILVER STREAK has his ground and could be a player at this time of year, so maybe each-way at 11/2. Otherwise maybe silver Streak betting without Epatante, because Epatante will probably win.

MORE TIPS: Paddy Power Millionaire Chase qualifier: Paddy’s punting panel’s picks for week 3

2.25pm, Newbury – Thyme White

Botox Has was on my shortlist, because I remember he won at Cheltenham and Frank Hickey had tipped it up! I’m against Maries Rock because the price, 11/8, is a bit tight so THYME WHITE is the one I’m going for. I just think he could be an unexposed type. He was my NAP of the weekend when he didn’t run in the Greenwood Hurdle – so an unbeaten NAP! I’m going to stick with him.

3.00pm, Newbury – Black Op

This is the Millionaire Chase so you need to opt in on PaddyPower.com – it’s very important! And I was between two horses for this – Aye Right and Black Op – the second and third favourites.

I’m going to go with BLACK OP for this, as I think this is a Grade 1 horse and he was second at this meeting last year to Champ, which obviously turned out to be very good form. He was second to Slate House in another Grade 1 at Kempton and had some nice prep behind Imperial Aura, who is a really progressive horse, at Carlisle last time. He looks quite well-handicapped with 11st and it will feel like he’s going around with nothing on his back!

3.15pm, Newcastle – Pym

I don’t think this is a great race, and for that reason I think PYM – even at 3/1 – is appealing. His performance to beat If The Cap Fits was savage so he looks like a Grade 1 horse in a race that is nowhere near Grade 1 class.

3.35pm, Newbury – Ibleo

I don’t have a strong view on this, but I have Venetia Williams down in my head as a streaky trainer – when she starts hitting form she bangs in winners to beat the band – and for that reason I’m backing IBLEO. Although I also have in my he’d that all her horses like really heavy ground, and that’s probably not fair. I think Ibleo, with the stable in flying form, is justifiable towards the top of the market.

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change

Paddy Power’s top tips for Saturday

12.30pm, Fairyhouse – Impact Factor
1.01pm, Fairyhouse – Minella Melody
1.50pm, Newbury – Tea Clipper
2.05pm, Newcastle – Silver Streak (without Epatante)
2.25pm, Newbury – Thyme White
3.00pm, Newbury – Black Op
3.15pm, Newcastle – Pym
3.35pm, Newbury – Ibleo

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