Saturday horse racing tips: Five best bets from Dave Nevison

We have one of the best Arcs I can remember coming up on Sunday, and I find myself changing my opinion hourly about which might win it. I’m probably better off sticking with the handicappers I know better on Saturday afternoon - and hopefully a couple of these will do the business.

2.20 Newmarket: Fearby

Fearby should score here.

The “bigger the field bigger the certainty” is an adage that has often applied to these cavalry charge sales races, and I have landed some good bets on short-priced runners over the years. Sure - a horse can improve and cause a shock which I would never have found, but for the most part usually very few can be fancied.

Only one other runner in this 30-strong field has braved Group company - when a 100/1 shot and tailed off - but Fearby has been placed twice in Group 2 company and again at Group 3 level in his last three starts and that is enough for me. He won a Listed race by five lengths before that and has also won on good to soft ground this spring.

3.50 Ascot: Al Rufaa

He has improved in his two runs since his late comeback this term and will be fresher than most at this time of the season.

Al Rufaa rattled up a hat-trick last summer when he hit form and is now only 3lb higher than the last of those wins. He definitely looked as though he was ready and able to score from such a mark last time.

He races at the back of hopefully a fast pace here, and seems to be drawn on the right side on a straight track which seems to favour his running style. He has won on soft and good to soft ground, so hopefully conditions will be fine for him.

4.25 Ascot: Boundless Power

He has gradually come to the boil since joining Mick Appleby and looks poised to score.

Boundless Power was well-backed and ran a blinder in the Portland Handicap last time, but was never quite going to get to Hurricane Ivor who is destined to be a Group class sprinter. That was a very good run though and a 3lb rise was the least to be expected.

He has not always enjoyed the clearest of runs, but this race set to be run at a furious pace could well be perfect as the gaps should come as horses weaken. He will also be perfectly well-suited to the softening ground after rain on Friday and Saturday.

He looks the day’s best to me.

5.15 Redcar: Broctune Red

He did us an 8/1 favour last week and rattled up a hat-trick earlier in the year when hitting form. I’m happy to stay on board for the follow up.

The handicapper is moving fairly decisively with a 6lb rise, but my argument last time that Broctune Red was improving on both turf and the all-weather seemed to be borne out and he looks set to be able to defy this higher mark.

With non-runners already appearing on this card, it’s good that Broctune Red acts on soft ground as well and Joe Fanning looks a significant booking.

5.50 Redcar: Ghathanfar

He should have won at least another sprint handicap by now and returns to the scene of his course and distance win back in April. He now races from an 11lb higher mark, but has really has earned that with several excellent efforts – mostly recently only giving best close home in a cracking effort in the Ayr Bronze Cup.

Tom Eaves gets on well with Ghathanfar and will no doubt be pleased he is drawn near blistering pace-setters Thriller In Manila and Harrogate. Eaves will hopefully be able to stop Ghathanfar doing too much early and pounce late on the Paul Midgley-trained trailblazers.