Saturday horse racing tips: Harry Allwood's best bets

Best odds: 7-2 (William Hill).

It was hard not to be impressed with Elnajmm's victory at Newcastle in a similar handicap to this on the all-weather last time out, and if he's able to replicate that effort switching back to turf, then he could prove hard to beat here, despite a 10lb higher mark.

The four-year-old was a dominant winner of that contest on his first start for 317 days, and had the race won two furlongs from home. He was merely pushed out inside the final furlong, too, and won with plenty to spare. 

They were no slouches in behind, either, with some decent handicappers left trailing, and on that evidence, you would have to think Elnajmm is a Group horse in the making.

His form as a juvenile also ties in with the likes of English Oak, Balance Play and Alsakib, who are all rated over 100 now, and numerous other horses from the races he contested have developed into decent handicappers. 

One slight negative is his draw, but most of those drawn around him aren't known for racing up with the pace, so I'm hoping Elnajmm will be able to cross over and get a handy position.

With just five starts under his belt, there should be lots more to come from the selection, and William Haggas remains in top form, so there are plenty of positives.

Best odds: 6-1 (general).

Kevin Ryan stressed last season that 400,000gns purchase Volterra, who produced some decent form as a two-year-old, would develop into a better horse this season and there was plenty to like about his victory in a 0-90 handicap at this venue on his return.

The son of Farhh produced a dominant display off a rating of 82 to defeat Skukuza, who won his next start and was narrowly beaten in the Britannia Stakes.

Volterra finished over seven lengths behind that rival at Royal Ascot, which was disappointing, especially as he attracted strong support beforehand. However, he helped force a strong pace in his group and found himself in front too soon plus was also at a disadvantage from stall three given none of the first ten home were drawn lower than 15. 

He's much better than that performance, which I'm willing to put a line through, and the fact Skukuza finished second in that contest was a boost to Volterra's form.

Volterra has the size and scope to progress much further this season and if he does bounce back to form, then he holds strong claims, despite remaining on a rating of 91. 

Best odds: 7-1 (general).

Botanical bolted up in a soft-ground handicap at Hamilton on his final outing last season (the form of which worked out well) and was just as impressive when scoring on his return over this course and distance in a 0-100 handicap off a 10lb higher mark on his return this year.

That performance signalled he's a Group horse in a handicap as Roger Varian believed he would be in need of the outing beforehand, yet his charge travelled powerfully before putting the race to bed in a matter of strides.

It was therefore no surprise Botanical was sent off the well-supported 11-4 joint-favourite for the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot, and although he trailed in last there, he would have found the ground far too quick.

I'm happy to draw a line through that run, especially as connections mentioned numerous times last season that this four-year-old doesn't want fast ground, and he also failed to show his best on good to firm last season.

He scored on good ground here in May, and looks set to tackle similar conditions on Saturday, so it will be disappointing if he isn't capable of showing his best now. If he was arriving here on the back of his victory, then he would probably be clear favourite, and I'm convinced he will be contesting Group races before the end of the season.

The general 7-1 on offer therefore looks more than fair, especially with those towards the top of the market being unfavoured by the draw, most notably who is another potential Group performer in the making, but is drawn in stall 23, and the stats suggest that's going to be a difficult task for him.

Best odds: 5-1 (general).

This seven-year-old didn't show his best on his first two starts after joining Michael Bell from Ireland, and was given a chance by the handicapper which he took full advantage of when successful in a useful handicap at Newmarket in May.

He only scored narrowly there, but was value for more than the winning margin suggests given he suffered traffic problems, and was only raised 2lb for that victory.

Trouble in running again held him back in the Buckingham Palace Stakes, and he only gained daylight in the closing stages where he flew home to finish a never-nearer third.

The progressive winner, English Oak, scored by three lengths, but I've watched the race back a few times, and it wouldn't have been the biggest surprise to see him trouble that rival had he endured a clear run.

He races off the same mark here, and that effort, and the form he produced in Listed and Group races last season, suggest he's nicely treated. 

Hopefully Ryan Moore can work his magic, just like he did aboard Biggles in this contest last year, and his mount has a strong chance here granted luck in running.

Best odds: 15-2 (William Hill).

I must admit, I was concerned about the ground for Regional earlier this week after Newmarket received 29mm of rain on Tuesday, which was much more than expected. 

The ground was good to soft on day one of The July Festival, and was changed to good all over on Friday, which suggests the ground isn't going to be as soft as expected this weekend. Newmarket does tend to dry out quickly, too, so fingers crossed conditions are ideal for Regional who looks to have a solid each-way chance in the My Pension Expert July Cup. 

He was the selection in my runner-by-runner guide earlier this week and, other than concerns about the ground, I see no reason to desert him, and the reasoning stays the same. If there is any juice in the ground, then connections are unlikely to run him, anyway.