With a busy Saturday of horse racing coming up at six different courses across England and Wales, many racegoers and punters are gearing up for an exciting day.
Mail Sport’s racing expert Robin Goodfellow has studied the form closely and picked out his top tips for the meetings at Newbury, Newmarket, Thirsk, Doncaster, Bangor-On-Dee, and Uttoxeter.
Whether you’re at the track or backing horses from home, these insights could help you make some winning calls.
Newbury: A Familiar Face Could Shine Again
At Newbury, keep an eye on Al Aasy in the 12.50 race.
Despite having to concede weight to some improving younger horses, this eight-year-old has an excellent record on this track, boasting four wins here including the same race back in 2021.
After a strong reappearance win at Sandown, he looks well-placed to add another victory to his name.
Later races at Newbury also have some interesting contenders like Ides of March, Wave Rider, and Dancing Gemini. Notably, Elmonjed at 3.45 is another horse to watch.
Trained by William Haggas, Elmonjed is a sprinter on the rise who has won twice when wearing blinkers, which he’ll be sporting again this weekend.
Newmarket: Persuasion Looks Set to Impress
Newmarket kicks off with a promising pick in Persuasion at 1.05.
The horse has recently shown great form, winning at long odds before running into traffic problems at Chester.
Given Persuasion’s previous strong runs over this course and the fact that jockey Luke Catton will be giving him a helpful 5lb weight allowance, this could be a winning bet.
Other horses worth noting at Newmarket include Art Market, Where’s Freddy, and Dance to the Music — all worth watching in the afternoon races.
Thirsk: Front Runners and Form Horses Ready to Shine
Over at Thirsk, Robin highlights Dazzling Haze for the 1.35 race and the front-runner It Just Takes Time at 4.30.
The latter is a proven winner on this course and should be at peak fitness after two runs this season.
The step back up in distance should suit him perfectly.
Other runners like Alligator Alley, Muker, and Star Studied also have solid form to keep an eye on throughout the day.
Doncaster: Evening Races Packed with Potential
Doncaster’s card comes alive in the evening with horses like Mariner at 5.35 and Zubaru at 6.07.
The card continues with competitive fields featuring Dinamo, Gressington, and Mission Command.
Expect some closely fought contests, particularly in the later races where Dimension Of Scale and Ruler Legend could make an impact.
Bangor-On-Dee and Uttoxeter: National Hunt Action
At Bangor-On-Dee, the afternoon jumps meeting includes promising runners like Got Grey at 1.45 and Eagles Gold at 2.20.
These races often throw up surprises, so they’re well worth following for those who enjoy National Hunt action.
Meanwhile, Uttoxeter features a strong lineup with Stylia and Walk On High among the early picks.
The meeting runs well into the evening with races including Rock On Rita and Highway One O Five, which should provide plenty of excitement for jump racing fans.
Final Thoughts on Saturday’s Racing
Overall, it’s shaping up to be a thrilling Saturday across these six venues.
Robin Goodfellow’s top tips — including Al Aasy at Newbury and Persuasion at Newmarket — are based on solid form and previous course performances.
Whether you’re backing favourites or looking for a nice outsider, the day offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy and potentially win.
Keep an eye on the early races to set the tone, and don’t forget to check how the horses perform in their seasonal runs.
It’s always a good idea to watch the weather and track conditions, as these can make a real difference.