Horse Racing Tips: Timeform's best bets for Saturday at Ascot

Ascot Betting Tips

14:00 Ghostwriter
14:35 Spangled Mac
15:10 Gallant Lion
15:45 Botanical
16:20 Amanzoe
16:55 Dark Trooper
17:30 Call Me Ginger

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

14:00 Ghostwriter

GHOSTWRITER has plenty about him physically and he made an impressive start to his career when making a winning debut in a newcomers’ event at Newmarket last month. He knew his job but he stamped his authority on the race in style, shaken up approaching the final furlong and soon quickening clear. He seems sure to go on to even better things so he is taken to follow up under a penalty, likely at the main expense of American Bay, who left his debut form behind when runner-up to another Clive Cox-trained horse last time and that form is working out well.

14:35 Spangled Mac

SPANGLED MAC had been shaping up well in some strong handicaps this season prior to resuming winning ways with a career-best effort at Newbury last month, making the most of dropping into an easier grade, but also seeming to sharpen up for the fitting of cheekpieces. He also came in for an excellent ride from William Buick, ridden patiently and displaying a smart turn of foot to settle matters, and he seems sure to be bang in the mix once again from a 3 lb higher mark. Havana Blue should benefit from this return to seven furlongs and could emerge as the chief threat, although Quinault can’t be ruled out too as he bids for win number seven of 2023.

15:10 Gallant Lion

This looks a strong middle-distance handicap but GALLANT LION arrives here on a roll having won his last four starts and he has to be of interest. His winning run started from a BHA mark of 63 but he had no problem defying a mark of 80 at Windsor last time, better positioned than most in a steadily-run affair, but in the same breath probably a little keener than ideal. A subsequent 3 lb rise for that success more than likely underestimates him and, though he is in even deeper waters now, he seems sure to launch another bold bid. Overactive and True Legend can’t be underestimated, either, so rate the principal dangers.

15:45 Botanical

BOTANICAL was only narrowly touched off on his debut by a now-useful rival and he built on that promise in no uncertain terms when bolting up at Hamilton in July. He lost little in defeat when runner-up to one who is bound for pattern company at Kempton last time (he has won again since), leaving the impression that a mile will be a bare minimum trip for him. The handicapper may have underestimated his form with an opening mark of 87 and, now moving up in trip, he arrives with plenty of potential and should prove hard to beat. Mantoog, who proved a different proposition on handicap debut, looks the obvious danger.

16:20 Amanzoe

AMANZOE failed to beat a rival home on her return to action in a mile and a quarter handicap at York a fortnight ago, but that was her first start since finishing second in that very race 12 months earlier. She was very progressive also last season, winning four times in handicaps and, likely to strip fitter for her reappearance run, she is taken to resume her progress with the return to a mile no problem. There are credible rivals in opposition though, not least Don’t Tell Claire, who was runner-up in this corresponding event 12 months ago and arrives as good as ever.

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16:55 Dark Trooper

DARK TROOPER is thriving this year, completing a hat-trick an recording his fifth win since the turn of the year in a course and distance handicap last month, beating the reopposing Russet Gold by two and a quarter lengths. He was well in for his Haydock success a week earlier, but he had plenty in hand despite hanging badly to his left in the closing stages, and he is hard to ignore given the form he’s in, even from an 8 lb higher mark. Reminder has made a bright start to her career and can’t be ignored, while Willem Twee also has to be considered on his return to action.

17:30 Call Me Ginger

CALL ME GINGER took advantage of a reduced mark when opening his account for the season at Chester last week, having to make his challenge out wide but he quickened up nicely in the final furlong and just got there on the line. He has plenty of form at this track – and he’s a course and distance winner – and he makes most appeal again having been raised 4 lb in the weights. Next on the list is Above, who also resumed winning ways last time and remains on an attractive mark for his new yard.