Saturday ante-post tips: 10-1 and 5-1 selections

As ever with ante-post pieces ahead of the weekend, an educated guess is required when attempting to predict the ground conditions, and with the going described as ‘good’ at Haydock, at the time of writing on Tuesday afternoon, and minimal rain forecast, it is probably wise to expect the ground to be nearer good to firm. 

Detain, who made my shortlist of two for the Betfred Rose Of Lancaster Stakes, therefore may not be best suited by conditions on Saturday based on his disappointing effort on fast ground at Royal Ascot when last seen. He would have a strong chance on the form of his close third in the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club prior to that, where he appeared to relish some give underfoot, but I expect connections will be on weather watch. 

One contender who will relish drying ground is ROYAL DUBAI, and preference is for the Owen Burrows-trained five-year-old who showed considerable improvement for his new handler when landing the BetVictor Steventon Stakes last time out. 

Admittedly, that race did turn into a sprint (the RaceiQ data shows he clocked a FSP of over 109%), but he did pull nicely clear with the 113-rated Rashabar, who he was conceding 9lb to, and he remains unexposed over this trip. 

Interestingly, Burrows, who has had three winners from his past seven runners, said afterwards that his charge had been working nicely at home with his better horses, and the step up to ten furlongs proved to be beneficial. Burrows was also quick to nominate the Betfred Rose Of Lancaster Stakes as his next target. 

He clearly improved bundles on his first start for Burrows, and his Newbury win may be underestimated given two of the leading protagonists underperformed. He also clocked a decent time, despite the steady early pace, and I'd ignore his sole run at Haydock, which came on heavy ground.

The selection is now the highest-rated contender among the entries, and a repeat of his latest victory should see him go close again, so the general 5-1 available is worth taking. 

Will we see a potential star emerge in Saturday’s Newsells Park Stud Sweet Solera Stakes at Newmarket? The past two winners of the race - Lake Victoria (2024) and Fallen Angel (2023) - have both won multiple Group Ones since, so it’s highly likely, and Godolphin’s Dance To The Music looked a smart prospect when scoring on debut in May. 

She has not been since, though, and is priced up accordingly, so I’m going to take a chance on one at chunkier odds with just as much potential, and the one that catches the eye at a best-priced 10-1 with bet365 is PRINCESS PETROL. 

Ed Walker’s 280,000gns yearling took a sizeable step forward when winning at Ascot in July following a nice introduction at Newbury, and she’s by St Mark’s Basilica out of Oh So Sharp winner Mot Juste, so is bred to be smart. Her pedigree also indicates she will relish stepping up to seven furlongs, and she hit the line strong at Ascot. 

Although that form appeared nothing special, the runner-up had shown bundles of promise on debut in a class two contest at Newmarket, and Princess Petrol won with plenty to spare. 

Walker did warn the Sweet Solera “might come too soon” afterwards, but Saffie Osborne is already jocked up, and Princess Petrol was not asked for maximum effort at Ascot, so I’m hoping connections decide to roll the dice. I can’t see her going off 10-1 if she does run, so I’m willing to risk her at those odds. 

Eight of Walker’s past 13 runners have been placed, so stable form is not a huge concern, despite one winner from his past 29 runners, at the time of writing, raising a couple of question marks. The Lambourn handler is certainly due a change of fortune – hopefully that is on Saturday.