TV TIPS (SATURDAY)

13:32 Musselburgh

A really good Easter Saturday card at Musselburgh and I will be in attendance due to having a runner. Hopefully I will be getting the day off to flyer with an each-way play on Qipao of Charlie and Mark Johnston’s at the time of writing she is the biggest priced of the three Johnston horses. Given a relatively easy 2yo campaign for a Johnston horse with only five runs, she won her first two starts including on good ground at Hamilton. When facing good to firm at Sandown she ran a blinder behind Inspiral and Wild Beauty. The form of that run would be more than enough to be involved in this contest. The final two runs of her season were on unsuitable soft ground and the drying forecast at Musselburgh will suit her ideally.

Desert Angel is the only one who comes here with a recent run under his belt although he looked outpaced over 9 furlongs that day and Musselburgh may also be too sharp especially dropped back to a mile today. Charlie Fellows wouldn’t be a regular traveller to Musselburgh so Atrium has to be respected.

QIPAO (E/W)

written by Michael Taylor

13:50 Newbury

It's been over 300 days since Thunderous was last seen on a flat track. He ran in some big races last season but it was a disappointing season and he was only seen 4 times. He has been gelded since then which may slightly help. I'm not sure though he justifies favouritism given the length of time Thunderous has been out.

Invite has a Listed win under his belt but like a lot of Andrew Balding horses so far this season I have noticed have looked like they have needed the run at this early part of the flat season. Red Verdon does have a run under his belt but I feel the 9-year-old may struggle against the younger horses in this race.

Stowell is another with quite a large absence to overcome (Near 300 days) in which he was rather disappointing. Raymond Tusk won on his reappearance at Doncaster this season and has a benefit of a run under his belt. He won a shade cosily that day winning by 4 lengths definitely has each way chance here in what would probably need to be a career best

Ilaraab has a 3-pound penalty compared to the rest of the field here to defy to win today and you wouldn't put it past him after finishing the flat campaign with a strong finish.

Ilaraab did beat Max Vega last time out by a length at Newbury. However Max Vega now has a 3-pound swing in his favour and I'm taking a chance that may do the trick and Max Vega is my selection he is just about backable at the time of writing at an each way price. His 2 highest rated performances have come from Newbury so he comes here with a chance and seems to perform well here at Newbury.

Will need a career best probably to win here but at a bigger price i feel Max Vega holds more value and as long as Max Vega is ready to go he will be in contention

MAX VEGA (E/W)

written by Luke Tucker 14:04 Musselburgh

Gweedore has posted two wins and a third from four runs over this trip here at Musselburgh but usually needs a run or two to reach top gear and is therefore probably best watched on reappearance, while Zip is another prior course and distance winner who had a pipe opener at Newcastle late last month, however all turf wins have come on soft or heavy ground so may find the ground against him today.

Another Batt is proven at the trip and will appreciate the drop back having raced over a mile last time out, however for the winner we turn to Gioia Cieca who won over course and distance in June last year and held his form well thereafter. A four-year-old has won the last three renewals of this race and he appears the type to be able to step forwards again this season so gets the vote to return to the winners’ enclosure today.

GIOIA CEICA (WIN) written by Dean Kilbryde 14:25 Newbury

Shaara represents the mighty connections of Shadwell and John and Thady Gosden. The trainer took this race five years ago with Dabyah. She won her sole start, as a two year old, at Yarmouth, beating a horse I rate highly, in her stablemate A Cappella. She was fortunate to take the spoils that day and although you can never write off her connections, she has a lot to find on this field, in only her second start.

Wild Beauty won over course and distance on her third start and has twice bumped into 1,000 Guineas favourite and champion two year old Filly, Inspiral. One of those times was in the Group One Fillies’ Mile. Wild Beauty is no stranger to Group One action though, landing the Natalma Stakes at Woodbine before contesting the Fillies’ Mile. Charlie Appleby and William Buick are in terrific form as well. She’s the one to beat today.

Jumbly is incredibly well bred and ended her two year old season with a runaway victory over course and distance. Her only defeat came against Hello You, in the Rockfell Stakes. That form has held up since, especially with Cachet winning the Nell Gwyn Stakes, on her reappearance on Tuesday. Her listed victory over course and distance was impressive and a chance can be taken on her to bolster her Guineas claim by starting her three year old campaign off with a victory.

JUMBLY (WIN) written by Kieran McHugh 14:39 Musselburgh Raasel went up twenty one pounds in the handicap after rattling off a five-timer in the Autumn and arrives here as the one with the most potential. Proven after breaks and likely to be suited by the ground, he is hard to dismiss though no horse has won from this low a draw since 2014 and he must find another jolt of improvement in this class.

Zarzyni has returned the beaten favourite on each of his last three starts and has racked up four second placed finishes on the bounce. Despite this rather off-putting sequence, one would struggle to crib him as he doesn't appear to do anything wrong. Ideally suited to coming off a strong pace, he should have this run to suite though his draw looks far from ideal and he has crept up to his highest mark whilst being trained in the UK.

Makanah hasn't won since October of 2020 though he has gone with credit on a few occasions since and his mark is beginning to look very tempting. Proven over the course and distance and better drawn than quite a few, he is hard to predict although he has won after breaks before.

Dakota Gold never quite reached his peak last season and in truth, became rather irritating to follow. Clearly talented and now ten pounds below his last winning mark, he is afforded one last chance to atone for some costly defeats though he wouldn't be for the faint-hearted.

Copper Knight more than paid his way last season and signed off the campaign with a dead-heat victory at Doncaster. Usually all the better for a run or two, he is overlooked on this occasion though he would want bearing in-mind for later in the season and is worthy of a mention as such.

Justanotherbottle, Sunday Sovereign and Indian Sounds represent yards amongst the winners and warrant consideration though we shall split our stakes on Manakah and Dakota Gold, in the hope that one of them finally takes advantage of they're lenient looking marks.

MANAKAH (WIN)

DAKOTA GOLD (E/W) written by Chris Connolly 15:00 Newbury

Only six runners head to post for this years renewal of the Greenham Stakes, however it is a very open affair with several runners holding good claims for victory.

Last years winning trainer, Richard Hannon, sends out two of the six runners with Lusail perhaps his best chance of success following two Group 2 race victories last term. He does need to bounce back from an underwhelming performance at Doncaster last time though, albeit that was a bit of a messy race.

Angel Bleu had a busy campaign last year and managed to win five times, finishing off the season with two Group 1 victories in France on slow ground. He definitely holds the best form line over today’s distance but there is a slight doubt as to whether he is better on a softer surface.

Perfect Power never raced beyond six furlongs as a 2yo. It was an impressive season for him though winning four times including landing the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot before finishing the season off in style in the Middle Park Stakes. He is a perfect two from two under Christophe Soumillon and the ground should be no issue for him as he steps up in trip and providing he stays the extra furlong, he should prevail here for the Richard Fahey team.

PERFECT POWER (WIN) written by Tom Bates

15:14 Musselburgh

Believe it or not Emmet Mullins' Zero Ten is a horse I put forward as one to follow for the national hunt season. However connections decided to skip the jumps season and remain on the flat. Last seen when finishing 5th in a Group 1 at Longchamp and this race looks far less competitive. The downside however is the lack of a recent run so it'd be naive not to have some reservations over his fitness. If the trainer has him ready to fire on all cylinders then he should be more than capable of winning a race of this nature.

Unlike the favourite Sir Rumi, Enemy and State Of Bliss all have the benefit of a recent outing and as such look to be the biggest threats. None of the trio are the most prolific winners however I'd say that Enemy has the best form over this longer trip. A solid 4th in a Group 3 at Meydan reads well and if you're a punter looking for an each way alternative I'd look no further than Ian Williams' charge.

ZERO TEN (WIN) ENEMY (E/W)

written by Rory Paddock 15:35 Newbury

Four horses at the head of the market here featured strongly in the Lincoln handicap recently.

Rogue Bear runs of the same mark here. He is also open to a lot of improvement.

Saleymm finished just in front of Rogue Bear last time. He has also undergone another wind operation since his last run. If that helps, there will be little between them once again.

Migration is a classy handicapper hence the weight he carries. He could go well, however the lack of a recent run is off putting.

Two horses here catch the eye at bigger prices.

Orbaan, who despite lacking the ability to improve like some of his younger rivals is still no doubt well handicapped. He had no chance from his position on his seasonal debut. He’ll strip fitter today.

Trais Fluors is the other long shot with a big each way chance. Again he’s reaching a certain age where we know all about him, however his mark today gives him a real opportunity on past performances. It’s also interesting the connections of the winner of the Lincoln team up again.

TRAIS FLOURS (E/W) written by Matt Polley