
13:50 Newmarket – Surf Dancer @ 8/1
SURF DANCER got no luck on his seasonal return up the hill at Sandown, when making a challenge on the inside. He was virtually stopped in his tracks by the eventual winner who hung across and tightened him up for room.
He didn’t recover from that but given slightly softer conditions on Saturday and with only a 3lb rise in the handicap, he can still be very competitive at rewarding odds.
14:25 Newmarket – Indie Angel
INDIE ANGEL took a step forward from her return run when only just beaten in a four-way photo at Doncaster.
It really was a case of heads up, heads down, at the line and the bob just went against her. She should find this company slightly easier stepping back into her own sex and she will be very competitive even allowing for the fact that she is just out of the handicap.
15:00 Newmarket – King Zain
KING ZAIN put up a very taking performance on racecourse debut at Kempton, being sharply away from the gates and always in control.
He has the size and scope to progress very well in the coming months and like a lot of these, he takes a jump up in grade, but looks capable of much better.
15:35 Newmarket – Khaadem
KHAADEM has to turn the form around with Hello Youmzain, but that looks very much on the cards as he was incredibly fresh and gassy on his return. I’m amazed that he finished a close up fourth after being keen in the early stages and refusing to settle, and that put paid to his chances late on.
That should put him spot on for this assignment and he seems to act under any conditions ground wise, which is a positive.
16:10 Newmarket – Tomfre @ 12/1
TOMFRE was unlucky behind a good type in Well of Wisdom at Sandown when last seen 28 days ago and the handicapper also took that view raising him by 4lbs.
His ability to handle some cut in the ground is also another factor in our favour. In terms of the draw – he splits the field being drawn just about in the middle in stall nine – so jockey Harry Bentley can decide which way to go.
I’m surprised Paddy is being as generous with his prices.
14:05 Ascot – Alnaseem
ALNASEEM has only been with trainer James Ferguson for two starts and she has already shown improvement on the track with an impressive win last time.
She beat a fairly solid yardstick on that occasion at Yarmouth in Oud Metha Bridge. There are a few lightly-raced improving types in this, but she will be hard fit and ready to roll on only her third try for Ferguson.
14:40 Ascot – Carlos Felix
CARLOS FELIX cost an absolute fortune (€700,000) at the sales and his performances last season on his three tries didn’t reflect his price tag.
A very solid return to action when not knocked about over a mile at Doncaster bodes well for this engagement, stepping up half a mile in distance. He’s a half-brother to Here Comes When and I’d imagine we will see him close to triple digits in the ratings by the end of the season if he starts to improve.
15:15 Ascot – Lord Tennyson
All the talk will be about Mohaather and his unlucky run in the Queen Anne, but have a look back at LORD TENNYSON when finishing nearly on the bridle behind Dark Vision also at the Royal Ascot meeting.
On ratings he has a good bit to find, but this is only his fourth lifetime start and he may well take a significant step forward at double-digit each-way odds.
15:50 Ascot – Street Parade
PARADE has been rated in the 100’s in the past and strikes me as one who will be getting up back to those lofty ratings fairly shortly.
He has now slipped down to a mark of 92, but has an excellent young claimer taking off another 5lb and he’s drawn next door to an absolute rocket over the first three furlongs in Ornate.
He’s going to get a lead until the business end and has a touch of class and that is exactly what is required in this type of handicap.
* Prices on our snazzy new bet widget are bang up to date.
Jason Weaver’s tips summary:
13:50 Newmarket – Surf Dancer
14:25 Newmarket – Indie Angel
15:00 Newmarket – King Zain
15:35 Newmarket – Khaadem
16:10 Newmarket – Tomfre
14:05 Ascot – Alnaseem
14:40 Ascot – Carlos Felix
15:15 Ascot – Lord Tennyson
15:50 Ascot – Street Parade
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Grab racing previews from the UK, Ireland and the rest of the globe here
- Placing bets is easier than ever with Paddy Power News’ live odds banners
- Horse Racing tips: Timeform’s 3 horses to follow at Ascot on Saturday
- Horse Racing tips: Timeform’s 8 excellent fancies at Newmarket on Saturday
- Horse Racing tips: Matt Chapman’s 9 divine bets for Ascot and Newmarket on Saturday
- Horse Racing tips: Mick Fitzgerald’s Saturday Lucky 31 to get the job done on ITV Racing
- Horse Racing tips: Our 3 wonderful wagers at Leopardstown on Saturday