TV TIPS (SATURDAY)

13:55 York Firnas recorded his maiden victory by five lengths, beating four other subsequent winners in the process, and has steadily improved for both runs in handicaps this season. Racing for a trainer and jockey who have both been in good form in recent weeks he needs to be respected. Constantino has made the frame in six from seven over todays’ trip and was a winner on the all-weather last time out but needs to prove himself at York having disappointed on two previous trips here. The selection here is Weekend Offender who has made the frame in 75% of all races over a mile, has one win and one placed effort from two over course and distance and will be looking to make amends after leaving the stalls with the blindfold still on last time out. Weekend Offender (E/W)

14:10 Ascot With twenty runners scheduled to go to post there will no doubt be a few hard luck stories in our first visit to Ascot. With this in mind i’m opting for Doctor Sardonicus who tends to keep himself out of trouble by racing prominently. He won well when last seen at Chelmsford, a race that has produced six subsequent winners, and is partnered with in-form jockey Martin Lane who has won on him before. Pipers Note has been holding his form well and boasts a 33% winning strike rates over todays trip so should be involved granted a clear run, while Royal Birth has a win and a placed effort from two previous runs over track and trip and has made the frame in 60% of all runs over five furlongs, so is also considered, although may find the forecast good-to-soft ground go against him. Doctor Sardonicus (E/W)

14:30 York Barsanti has posted two wins and a second from three runs at the course and was a very decent second to Idaho in the Hardwicke when last seen, finishing ahead of the likes of Dartmouth and Wings Of Desire in the process. He won’t be much of a price but if he runs to the same level again today he will be extremely tough to beat. Clever Cookie is a horse I have the utmost respect and admiration for however hasn’t made the frame in six runs since winning the Yorkshire Cup in May 2016 and is therefore hard to be confident in for todays’ race. Rare Rhythm and Platitude look like the most likely challengers to the likely favourite with preference of of the two for Rare Rhythm who was a convincing two length winner last time out, taking his career tally to three wins from six. Barsanti (WIN)

14:50 Newmarket Afaak and City Of Joy went off as co-favourites when last seen in the Britannia Stakes but could only manage seventh and tenth respectively, although both were previously unbeaten over a mile and better will be expected of both today. Mountain Angel was less than a length behind Afaak on soft ground in June but was a convincing four length winner prior to that and has only finished outside the first two on debut. Roger Varian has his stable firing in the winners at present and as such his runner here is taken to improve past the above-mentioned duo and gain victory here. Mountain Angel (WIN)

15:05 York Another large field to dissect and plenty who could be in with a decent chance granted luck in running. I’m opting for Garcia who, although hasn’t been seen since September 2016 has won twice on return from a break, won on only previous visit to York and has won 50% of all career runs. He should hopefully be a decent each way price and could spring a surprise here. As already alluded to there are a number in with a decent chance with UAE Prince, Sixties Groove and Victory Bond all likely to be in the mix, although Master Carpenter is unbeaten in two over course and distance and at a likely bigger price should also be considered. Garcia (E/W)

15:25 Newmarket Richard Fahey has won this race three times in the last six years although relies on Withernsea who doesn’t win as often as he probably should and would also prefer softer ground than he is likely to encounter. Robero is progressing well and made it look easy when winning at Pontefract last week but steps up in class and carries a 6lbs penalty today so will likely find this much tougher. Given the size of the field i’m selecting two in this race. The first is Gossiping who has won five from seven so far in 2017 and is two from two on turf, both over todays’ trip. The second is Steady Pace who ran a couple of really good races at Meydan earlier in the year, was only beaten by half a length last time out and hails from a yard in excellent recent form. Gossiping (E/W) Steady Pace (E/W)

15:50 Ascot A winner of this race last year, Mutakayyef returns to defend his crown and will likely be a short-priced favourite. With the Haggas stable in such good form its difficult to see past his runner as the most likely winner yet at the forecast odds I feel I must attempt to find some value in the race. The most likely to put up a challenge is Sovereign Debt who has won his last three, beating Gabrial twice in the process, and has winning form at the course. Furthermore he is again partnered with jockey James Sullivan who is unbeaten in three since taking over in the saddle. It remains to be seen if he can overhaul the favourite but at the odds is worth taking a chance on. Sovereign Debt (WIN)

16:00 Newmarket With seven of the ten forecast runners arriving on the back of a victory last time out this looks to be a competitive little encounter. Gustav Klimt left a lasting impression with victory at the Curragh last time out and the only runner from that race to have seen a racecourse since has also emerged victorious, however the early prices give little by way of value. Richard Hannon and Richard Fahey have both won this race a couple of times in recent years so Etefaaq and Great Prospector will have their supporters, while Charlie Appleby and William Buick have been in great recent form so Aqabah is also respected, however at the prices preference is for Finniston Farm who won at 10/1 on debut, beating a heavily fancied Charlie Hills runner in the process, and should be capable of improving further on only his second run of his career. Finniston Farm (E/W if 9/2+)

16:15 York Both Out Do (2015) and Take Cover (2014) have won this race in previous years while Judicial arrives here in fantastic form having won his last three, although will need to improve again now stepped up to Listed class. All three command respect but i’m siding with Copper Knight has already won over course and distance and was an encouraging third behind Battaash and Koropick when last seen. Both these two have won at Group level since so the form looks to be worth following and early double figure odds look generous considering the form so he rates as a confident each way bet at the odds although I think is capable of grabbing the win and as such is my NAP of the day. Copper Knight (WIN) – NAP

16:35 Newmarket The last of ten live TV races could prove to be the best of the lot with Commonwealth Cup winner Caravaggio set to again lock horns with runner up Harry Angel. Caravaggio is unbeaten in six career runs including four over todays’ trip, while Harry Angel pulverised his opponents when winning a Group 2 at Haydock by over four lengths on penultimate run. They both ran fantastic races in the Commonwealth Cup and it would be no surprise to see them finish first and second again here. I find it very difficult to go against Aidan O’Brien’s runner given all he has achieved so far but if for any reason he isn’t on his A-game Harry Angel looks sure to pounce. To add further spice to the mix last years winner Limato returns to attempt to defend his crown while The Tin Man is a multiple Group 1 winner who has an excellent career winning strike rate of 53%, all over todays’ trip. Both are top class runners in their own right and will ensure that this really is a fascinating contest to end the live TV races. Caravaggio (WIN)