TV TIPS (SATURDAY)

IN ASSOCIATION WITH…

13:05 Ascot Green Door has a decent record over todays’ trip and has proven form on ground with a bit of give. Although he is yet to make the frame in six runs at the course, his trainer Robert Cowell has won this race three times in the last eight years so is worthy of a mention. Lexington Abbey has placed twice from two attempts over course and distance while the Ruth Carr stable have been in great form in recent weeks so Pipers Note, who has won off higher marks in the past and is also proven on softer ground, also needs to be considered. Preference however is for ten year old Mirza who has previously won at both Group and Listed level earlier in his career and was second behind Battaash last time out. He may be at the veteran stage of his career but showed there is still plenty of ability there and should be able to account for his rivals here. Mirza (WIN)

13:40 Ascot Apart from a 25/1 winner last year, this race tends to find its winner from those towards the head of the market. Graceland has held her form remarkably well over the last twelve months, finishing in the first three in eight races from nine, has placed in three from three over a two mile trip and was only beaten a neck when last seen in the Northumberland Vase. She may not get her nose in front as often as she should but will always give a good run for your money and looks to have a decent chance again here. Both Swashbuckle and Berrahri arrive on the back of victories last time out, although both have been upped 7lbs and both step up in trip for todays’ race so the bigger danger could be Byron Flyer who will be at home in the conditions and has no stamina concerns having won over this trip and further. Graceland (WIN) – NAP

13:55 Haydock Joanna Mason has built up an excellent understanding with Tapis Libre, riding the nine year old to victory six times from nine since July 2015. Jacqueline Coward’s runner has won his last two and although would perhaps prefer a faster surface has winning form on soft so looks a leading contender here. In-form Megan Nicholls has made the frame in seven from nine in the last twelve months when riding for Paul Nicholls so Zubayr, who has winning form on slower ground when racing over hurdles, rates as a big danger. Intense Tango has disappointed in 2017 but has a great record at the course and as such isn’t discounted, while Caponova has done all his winning here at Haydock (four wins from six runs at the course) and has been dropped 2lbs from last run so is another in with a chance. Tapis Libre (WIN)

14:15 Ascot Mukhayyam has been in great recent form, winning his last two, and has won on everything from good-to-firm to soft ground so shouldn’t be inconvenienced whatever the weather. Furthermore, Hayley Turner has won this race before so looks a decent jockey booking. This is a tough looking race though and Gawdawpalin who won over course and distance last time out, in a higher class than todays’ race, so deserves to be in the mix. Others worthy of a mention include Niblawi who has placed twice when stepped up to todays’ trip, only just failing over course and distance last time out, and Petite Jack who has an excellent winning strike rate of 60% over todays’ trip on the all-weather and will be a danger if transferring that to turf. Mukhayyam (WIN)

14:30 Haydock Laraaib is unbeaten in three career runs and as such sets the standard here. Owen Burrows’ runner stays on to finish his races really strongly so the extra half furlong he encounters here should pose no problems and as long as the ground doesn’t get too soft he could prove tough to beat. Mount Logan has been an admirably consistent performer but hasn’t quite reached the heights expected and although won’t mind conditions may well find one or more too good again. The biggest danger looks to be Autocratic who won a Group 3 at Sandown when last seen and has a 50% winning strike rate over the trip. Laraaib (WIN)

14:50 Ascot Breakable has an excellent record over a mile and has won on both good and good-to-soft ground so would have to be considered a leading contender if the ground dries out a little, especially as trainer Tim Easterby has been amongst the winners in recent weeks. Examiner has a good record over the trip and Early Morning won this race last year although disappointed over track and trip when last seen in June so i’m taking a chance on likely outsider Raising Sand who is a previous winner over course and distance, has won in 40% of all races on turf and races 3lbs below his last winning mark. All career victories came in lower grades than today but even so his early price looks too big compared to that of some of his rivals. Raising Sand (E/W)

15:25 Ascot Contango is unbeaten in three and was an impressive eleven length winner on soft ground last time out so has to be high on anyone’s shortlist. Today sees a step up in trip but given performances so far this season he looks highly progressive and should be capable of making it four wins in a row. Rake’s Progress, Appointed and Kasperenko all bring winning form in to this race while Glenys The Menace is another in great form having won her last two, looking a solid each way option for anyone looking to take on the favourite. Contango (WIN)

15:40 Newmarket Dance Diva won his first three career races but was well beaten by Nyaleti when stepped up to Group 3 level and now takes on an extra furlong. It would be foolish to write him off but his early price looks plenty short enough given the above and as such is one i’d like to take on. Poetic Charm won a maiden over course and distance on debut, beating three subsequent winners (including Juliet Capulet and Jousi) in the process. She races for an in-form trainer and jockey combination and although will find this tougher looks to have a great chance of winning again here. Richard Hannon won this race last year and runs Mayyasah and Tajaanus, both who could be considered for each way purposes. Poetic Charm (WIN)

16:00 Ascot The John Gosden trainer Nobly Born heads the market for the final race on ITV. A winner on second start last season, he then went on to place at Listed level and hasn’t been beaten far in two runs so far this season so has to be in with a chance here. Golden Apollo and Goodwood Crusader both disappointed last time out but both have decent records over six furlongs so are others worthy of consideration if bouncing back from their respective last runs. Lualiwa has three wins and a second from five runs this season, winning his last two. All victories have come over a furlong further than he encounters here today but he likes to race prominently and has often been leading at the six furlong pole so is taken to overhaul the early favourite. Lualiwa (WIN)