Sam Turner has been in great form at York this week and he's got the best TV bets.
1.50 Newbury
A first-time visor could help MIDTERM (Best price 3-1) recapture his best form as he raced lazily on his comeback and the headgear may help his rider keep him in contention when the pace quickens. I’m inclined to put that subdued return down to the fact his yard were a little quiet at that stage of the season and their four-year-old was a shade ring rusty on his first start of the season. The selection’s form on easy ground as a juvenile and early last season suggests today’s conditions will be no issue and he can get his career back on track with victory.
2.20 Newbury
The drop in trip should suit Private Matter after he looked to find seven furlongs beyond him at Newmarket on his return, but PERFECT ANGEL (Best price 7-2) could be the answer as she enjoyed a good juvenile campaign and was a fine second to Harry Angel in the Mill Reef Stakes over course and distance last September. It has been well documented that Andrew Balding’s horses are in the middle of a wonderful spell and his filly won first time out last term so the evidence suggests she comes to hand early.
2.55 Newbury
Unfortunately, all the fancy prices about MUCHO APPLAUSE (Best price 7-2) have long since disappeared but that doesn’t mean his chance has diminished and the selection looks to have the perfect profile for a race of this nature. The Acclamation colt proved he handled an easy surface when bolting up at Salisbury at the tail end of his juvenile campaign and his return to action suggested he remains a handicapper to keep on side. A narrow defeat at the hands of the highly-regarded Atty Persse at Sandown last month indicated there is a nice race in Mucho Applause and with some luck in running that could be today now that he steps up in trip.
3.30 Newbury
The career of LIGHTNING SPEAR (Best price 5-1) to date has been more a persistent drizzle than a breathtaking electrical storm, but that may all change today. Having begun his career in a blaze of glory by winning his first four starts on the bounce, great things were expected of the son of Pivotal, but critics would suggest his career has stalled a little subsequently with just one victory at Goodwood in Group Two company to show for his efforts. However, supporters of Lightning Spear would point to a couple of sterling efforts in defeat at the hands of the fairer sex in the shape of Tepin and Minding who proved narrowly too strong at Ascot on separate occasions. Either of those world-class mares would be strongly fancied for today's event so David Simcock's son of Pivotal could prove the answer to a race which presents a great opportunity for the selection who is well suited to a straight mile while his record after a lengthy absence is excellent with figures of 113 following a break of six months or more.
2.05 Newmarket
Newbury maiden scorer Call To Mind would be a popular winner in the Queen’s colours, but LESHLAA (Best price 4-1) finished to good effect here over course and distance last time and has bright prospects of following up providing the ground isn’t too deep. The step into unknown territory on easy ground is the main concern for the selection who is a son of Street Cry, but in the hope he handles the terrain, he gains a tentative vote to win a tricky race.
2.40 Newmarket
The drop to seven furlongs and a return to easy ground could be the catalysts for a winning performance from TAAMOL (Best price 5-2) and he is preferred to Beat The Bank. The selection’s ability to handle some cut is already confirmed courtesy of an eye-catching debut display and the drop back to seven furlongs should suit as he travelled powerfully at Newcastle on his return before falling in a hole.
3.15 Newmarket
Ekhtiyaar and Esprit De Corps are two sprinters going places but the progressive Quench Dolly and EQTIRAAN (Best price 8-1) also fit that description. The return to six furlongs appeared to work the oracle for Eqtiraan at HQ over Guineas weekend and he can build on that display today. Athough Danielsflyer proved too strong leaving the Dip that day, Richard Hannon’s colt had travelled powerfully for the majority of the race and was a shade unfortunate to have his pocket picked by the well-timed challenge of the winner. His experience of the track should stand him in good stead and he can defy a 5lb rise in the handicap on ground he has already proved he can handle.
Read Sam Turner's tips in the Daily Mail every day or at www.dailymail.co.uk/racing
