TV TIPS (SATURDAY)

13:50 Ascot The unbeaten once raced duo of Spring Cosmos and Musical Art aim to make it two wins from two races here but it’s hard to tell just how good the maidens they won really are yet. They’re both likely to be up there come the closing stages but this looks a much tougher task than they’ve tackled previously. Another unbeaten runner is Dance Diva. Three wins from three trips to the racecourse for her so far and with a listed victory under her belt she’s going to push our selection all the way. Nyaleti has had to play the role of bridesmaid in her last two races having finished second on both occasions. These placed efforts were in very good races and she was far from disgraced in either. A less competitive contest and with the booking of Ryan Moore a major factor we should hopefully see the Mark Johnston filly back in the winners enclosure. NYALETI (WIN) – NAP

14:05 York A trio of course and distance winners line up for the first of three televised races from York. Salateen looks the classiest of the aforementioned trio but the burden of top weight may be too much to bare. Battered is likely to go off as favourite and has a good record here at York but a huge hike in weight since his last success may also hinder this youngsters chances. The third and final course and distance victor is Get Knotted who absolutely relishes York. He’s not been running blisteringly recently but has still put in consistent performances. He won this race last year from a similar handicap mark and is taken to go close once again. Another horse worth a mention is drawn right next to Get Knotted in stall number nine. Start Time has been off the racecourse for a staggering 534 days. Prior to his lengthy absence though he was a very promising two year old. The break away from racing wont have done anything to aid his fitness but if local trainer Paul Midgeley has him anywhere near his two year old form then he could be readily over looked by most punters which could throw up a decent run at a big price. GET KNOTTED (E/W) START TIME (E/W)

14:25 Ascot Alwahsh may have only just shaken off his maiden tag in his previous race but boy did he do it in style. A victory by over seven lengths was very impressive on the eye and that’s why we’re siding with him to put in another solid effort today. Now it’d be foolish of us to ignore the fact that this race looks much more competitive but at a price of around 10/1 (at the time of writing) there’s plenty of value to be had for those looking to back each way. The likes of Pealer and Century Dream have been performing well this term and deserve their spots as market principles. Of the two I feel the Frankie Dettori ridden Pealer poses the biggest threat but never the less we’re hoping a bigger priced runner can build on the promise he showed previously. ALWAHSH (E/W)

14:40 York A hoard of sprinters line up on the Knavesmire for this intriguing sprint. Top weight Out Do is one of four from the David O’Meara yard and is expected to go close. However of the quartet from O’Meara’s stable it’s the old boy Move In Time that I’d be most fearful of. A former Group 1 winner who may be a shadow of his former self but should still be more than capable of taking a hand in this. Fellow Yorkshire based trainer Kevin Ryan sends a couple down for the race and it’s within this duo that our selection lies. Futoon contested a Group 3 race here at York last time out and put in a credible performance. Prior to this he’s contested five stakes races in a row and returns to handicapping for the first time. Promising amateur rider Seamus Cronin takes the ride and takes a further seven pounds of weight off the horses back. He’ll need to improve a little to take on some of these seasoned handicappers but at the age of four he’s got plenty of room left to progress and is worth backing at what are set to be decent odds. FUTOON (E/W)

15:00 Ascot A huge cavalry charge awaits as a staggering twenty seven horses line up to contest this handicap. That being said however I actually managed to find the selection in this race much easier than in some of the other ITV offerings this afternoon. Buckstay may be seven years old but if the phrase “horses for courses” is anything to go by then he’s the one to be on. Looking through his previous course and distance form, which have been in races of seventeen runners or more, he’s never finished outside of the top five in five attempts. He acts on both soft and firm going and has a previous course and victory win to his name to boot. He has less weight to carry than he did in his last victory and he’s been sparingly raced this year so fitness should be on his side. 33/1 is a thoroughly ridiculous price and I have a fair amount of faith that he’ll be close to grabbing place money at least. Of the rest the likes of Fastnet Tempest, Heavens Guest, Johnny Barnes and Fawaareq are worth watching but I can’t look past Buckstay who should continue his consistent course and distance form. BUCKSTAY (E/W)

15:15 York I hate to be dismissive of a horses chances as it tends to come round and bite you on the rear as you see them storm to victory but I can only see this Group 2 contest as a two horse race. Success Days and Algometer may well prove me wrong but I can’t see how either of them will claim victory here. This leaves me with the current favourite Autocratic and former Group 3 winner Hathal. Autocratic has a 100% strike rate here at York and should improve for his win at Sandown. The horse clearly has talent and is bound to trouble any horse near the finish line but I can’t be swayed away from Hathal. Trainer William Haggas has a fantastic record here at York with ten victories and five placed from just twenty two runners. The five year old Hathal returned after a lengthy absence to put in a decent effort on his return and there’s no doubt he’ll improve for that race. He should be fitter and raring to go come the off time and with such a generous price on offer from bookmakers he’s worth backing each way. HATHAL (E/W)

15:35 Ascot The marquee race of the day is the Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. This years renewal looks a very hot race indeed with the dual Oaks winner Enable lining up to take on older rivals. She’s been so mightily impressive this year and the fairytale would be for her to claim victory. As she’s a filly and a three year old she receives a very generous one stone weight allowance compared to her nearest competitors but will that be enough to see her win. It’d be a great story if she were finish in front however at such short odds, from a betting point of view, she’s worth taking on. Highland Reel is a racing superstar with six Group 1 victories to his name, all over the world, including here at Ascot. His form here at this venue reads as two victories and one second placed finish in just three starts and that can’t be ignored. The bookmakers make this classy horse joint second favourite with Jack Hobbs as the odds-compilers make them around 5/1 each. If you can get this sort of price then grab it with both hands and back him each way. I’d pretty much guarantee (as much as you can in this game) he’ll finish in the top three and at that price the worst that will happen is you’ll get your money back and more if he wins. The Ballydoyle yard is one that is ignored at your own peril and hopefully the five year old can add to his Group 1 victories. HIGHLAND REEL (E/W)