Horse racing tips: Dave Nevison's four best bets for Saturday

Won this race last year and hinted he was back in similar form last time for a trainer back in good nick after a brief cold spell.

Soul Seeker is 8lb lower than winning last year after some modest recent efforts and David O’Meara is equipping him with a tongue-strap for the first time, which looks a positive move.

There is no issue at all with Soul Seeker’s attitude in a finish and he will have a very strong pace to aim at here, which is ideal for him. Sean Bowen’s main task will be to get him out of the stalls in good shape. As long as he does, the combination will have a live chance in a massive field.

On a recovery mission after failing to make much impact in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot last month.

I had formed the opinion after his two previous wins that the grey may be heading to Listed or even Group-class sprints.

The application of a hood might well have been the catalyst for his improvement but his win at Haydock sticks in the memory and the way he travelled must have been a joy for those who watched the race while walking ever closer to the pay-out queue.

This sprinter has certainly not finished climbing the ranks and it is easy to forgive a big-field handicapper for one poor effort.

It’s no surprise I am sticking with Dark Shift as I was with him when he landed the Royal Hunt Cup. However, it is not only blind loyalty that makes me think he can follow up here.

The Royal Ascot race is proving exceptionally strong form with plenty of winners coming from those close behind him. It might well have been boosted even further had Intellogent, the runner-up, got a clear run in the John Smith’s Cup at York.

A 6lb rise is lenient for winning the hottest sprint handicap so far this year, and Dark Shift is clearly ideally suited by a big-field Ascot handicap.

Crack Aussie jockey James MacDonald is not here for the ride this time but his loss is the gain of William Buick, who was on board when he won at Nottingham on his penultimate start.

Dark Shift is versatile regards the ground so if the heavy rain that is forecast around the country happens to hit Ascot he should not be inconvenienced.

Roger Teal is an excellent trainer of sprinters with his biggest victory coming in the July Cup. And after a quiet spell, he now has his string back in excellent form.

Chipstead was on a roll in late summer last term when rattling up a hat-trick in good style but, after four lesser efforts this term, now finds himself 1lb below his latest win.

He ran his most encouraging race last time over this course and distance and Teal has booked Frederick Larsen. The 5lb claimer is in seriously good form at present, especially on sprint handicappers.