TV TIPS (SATURDAY)

‪13:50 Musselburgh‬ The flat is well and truly back as we see the first flat turf racing back on ITV this afternoon. We travel all the way up to Musselburgh in order to get our fix and we’re opting to kick off proceedings with one of two course and distance winners. ‪Many racing fans have stated that trainer Richard Fahey has been far removed from the success he has had in past seasons but looking through recent stats and he’s saddled six winners in the past fortnight. Furthermore the trainer has bagged 98 top three finishes in 193 starts here at Musselburgh. He sends six year old Luiz Vaz De Torres in to the race off the back of an encouraging fifth placed effort on the all-weather which will undoubtedly dust off any cobwebs. Although very soft ground isn’t to his liking he won’t see it as too much of a hindrance and you can expect a decent run from the Fahey runner.‬ ‪Another trainer in decent form is Mark Johnston who sends likely favourite Masham Star into the race. Another horse who is likely to benefit from a recent spin on an artificial surface he’s likely to be up with the principles come the finish line.‬ ‪LUIS VAZ DE TORRES (E/W)‬

14:05 Haydock Without seeming too unkind this eight runner contest only looks like a two horse affair with Crievehill looking to make it back to back victories after a demolition like victory at Sandown. He represents a big yard however a nine pound rise and perceived inconsistency means giving weight away to all of his rivals will be a very tough ask. These obstacles aren’t as big for the main market rival Creep Desbois. A close second at Leicester was far from a poor showing and although not a prolific victor looks more consistent than today’s biggest rival. The assistance of Daryl Jacob will help this six year olds chances and he can get back to winning ways this afternoon. CREEP DESBOIS (WIN)

‪14:25 Musselburgh‬ A very intriguing sprint contest greats us for our next trip to Musselburgh and as with any big northern sprint race trainer Paul Midgley has a few entries. Both Line Of Reason and Desert Law have claimed victories here in the past and both look to have lively outside chances however it’s very difficult to judge as and when they’re set to go close. ‪Royal Brave represents an owner who loves to have winners up here in Scotland and although he’d need to improve markedly to figure in this the current 66/1 price tag may be a tad over generous but for those punters looking to back him they’ll need to be very cautious.‬ ‪The short priced favourite Alpha Delphini demands a tonne of respect but despite his very valid spot as favourite I just couldn’t back a horse with such short odds in such a competitive sprint.‬ ‪One handy tip for those looking to back at Musselburgh is that it’s a track for front runners and there’s no more a front runner than nine year old Caspian Prince. A horse who’ll handle conditions, goes from the front and takes a slight drop in class here. With major group race success last year this sort of event should be well within his grasp and looks fantastic each way value.‬ ‪CASPIAN PRINCE (E/W)‬

‪14:40 Haydock‬ Trainer Tom George hasn’t had his horses firing of late however I hope this race sees him turn things around especially as his charge Super Sid sees Noel Fehily climb on top. A drop in trip should help the six year olds chances and with good form on soft going he has conditions to suit. Unlike his rivals he’s very lightly raced and may have room to improve unlike the more fancied runners. He will need to improve to get in the mix but that’s not completely inconceivable and is worthy of a decent each way punt. ‪Percy Street hasn’t shown much this term but as with any Nicky Henderson runner recent form doesn’t always mean a whole lot especially in a race of this nature. If you see money pile in for the bottom weight I’d certainly take note.‬ ‪The likes of Applesandpierres will no doubt run his usual competitive run however as can be seen in recent times a horse who prefers his spot as a bridesmaid as opposed to the bride.‬ ‪SUPER SID (E/W)‬

‪15:00 Musselburgh‬ By far the most difficult race to decipher today as twelve three year olds line up for a very hot one mile handicap. Despite their young age I’ve had to use what marginal form there is available to help finding a horse worth punting and I hope to have done that with Fake News. Yorkshire based trainer David Barron hasn’t done too well of late but looking through his past record here at Musselburgh it’s unearthed a stat that hopefully points us to his charge having a big run. Over the past five years Barron has sent just twelve three year olds here to Musselburgh and has returned with three victors. A 25% strike rate is nothing to turn your nose up at and as one of only five entries to have had a run in the past month should be fitter than some of the main market principles. ‪Ayutthaya may very well be a horse with a touch of class but Kevin Ryan’s yard seems a shadow of its former success and is definitely worth taking on.‬ ‪FAKE NEWS (E/W)‬

‪15:15 Haydock‬ Our third and final race from Haydock presents us with a race where we see top jockey Barry Geraghty travel all this way just for one ride. He sits in the saddle of Behind Time who returned to winning ways in his last race. Trainer Harry Fry has his horses flying recently and although this looks a trickier race to win Behind Time may have the class to prevail. ‪Potters Legend tends to run well in big time handicaps and was unfortunate to fall when looking to put in a big showing at Fakenham most recently. One who’ll be there or thereabouts as will Wicked Willy who looks the best of the rest.‬ ‪BEHIND TIME (WIN)‬

‪15:35 Musselburgh‬ The showpiece race of the day sees horses tackle what may well turn out to be a bit of a marathon slog. With soft ground expected this 1m6f trip is going to be very gruelling. ‪Time To Study looks the horse with the most potential and has room to progress at the age of four. A likely winner but a lot is taken on trust as to how well he’ll go first time out after a lengthy lay off.‬ ‪Last years winner of the race Carbon Dating returns to defend his crown after a winter campaign over in Dubai. He didn’t pull up any tress at Meydan but it’s fair to say he was going up against some very classy opposition and making his return to the turf and back on British soil he should do far better than his odds may suggest as a chance is taken on him reproducing last seasons form especially with less weight to carry this time around.‬ ‪Of the remainder Mount Tahan looks drastically overpriced. he’s been pretty inconsistent on turf but has been the polar opposite on the all-weather this winter. With three victories and two second placed efforts in his last five outings if he can transfer that form to a grass surface may have enough for a decent placed run.‬ ‪CARBON DATING (WIN) – NAP‬