Saturday ITV Racing Tips & Preview

Snoano and Crackentorp (twice) both won this race for Tim Easterby in the last six years and MUKHAYYAM (Best price 11-2) could enhance his trainer’s excellent record. The selection was arguably unlucky at Ripon last time when suffering persistent trouble in running and could make amends in this sought-after prize. The useful Charismatic Man is another to keep onside with a drop to 12 furlongs and the possibility of a solid gallop likely to suit. However, the market is aware of his chance.

There looks to be a fair amount of pace to run at in this JCB Handicap with the likes of Gurkha Friend and Salateen in the field and that should suit GET KNOTTED (Best price 9-1) who could finally put his head in front following a series of creditable efforts.  There is a danger those of us continually backing the five-year-old on the Knavesmire may find themselves in a bigger hole than the sponsors could manage, but now maybe the time to side with the gelding as trainer Michael Dods can do little wrong at present and the selection’s track record reads 321053.

Get Knotted looks to be drawn in a handy position to deliver a strong challenge today and gains the number one vote just head of ABOVE THE REST (Best price 14-1) who was another that suffered an interrupted passage when fourth at Chester last time. The latter could be drawn better but his rider is brilliant at making the best of a poor berth and he is also worth playing at a big price.

The Sir Michael-Stoute-trained THIKRIYAAT (Best price 9-2) is offered as a tentative selection in a race with any number of possible outcomes. Those that support him today need to forgive a rather subdued comeback over course and distance but the ground may not have played to the selection’s strengths that day and he is arguably better judged on some very fair performances behind the likes of Ribchester and Lightning Spear as a three-year-old. That duo are poised to fight out a Royal Ascot Group One on Tuesday so it’s clear Thikriyaat reached a very decent level last term.

Tim Easterby has won this race four times so Golden Apollo, an impressive five-length Pontefract scorer on Monday, looks a likely player providing stall one isn’t an inconvenience. His record in six furlongs handicaps reads 11. However, Tim’s Uncle Mick could pose one of the major threats with CARLTON FRANKIE (Best price 8-1) who has impressed this season with two fluent successes. This race was nominated as a target as early as April when she won well at Redcar and, although she has yet to prove that six furlongs suits as well as the minimum trip, the fact she started life in a Listed race reveals the regard she is held in.

The Tim Easterby stable has some live chances in some valuable contests today and RASHEEQ (Best price 5-1) and Excessable look big contenders in this event. Unfortunately, the layers are alive to the chances of Rasheeq too, installing him favourite, which makes for a rather unoriginal selection but the Vale Of York gelding boasts compelling claims judged on two excellent performances at York last month. There is a school of thought the four-year-old needs a strong test at the minimum trip and today’s track may be a shade on the sharp side for him. However, he tackles a slightly easier grade of rival this afternoon and can make his class count.

There are a number of refugees from the Epsom Dash which make an appearance in this fiercely-contested renewal and tentative preference is for DESERT LAW (Best price 10-1) who was seventh over the line on Derby day. The veteran speedster was going on at the line and may relish the return to today’s venue as he was highly impressive over course and distance on his comeback in April. The selection was fifth just behind the admirable Duke Of Firenze (third) and Kimberella (fourth) in this race last year when his rider lost his iron briefly and he also suffered trouble in running.

Copper Knight has been one of the success stories of the season although not for former connections admittedly! Bought for just £5,000 out of Hugo Palmer’s yard, the Sir Prancealot gelding has proved a revelation this season, netting two handsome handicap prizes at Chester and York, earning this tilt at Listed level. However, the draw could have been a little kinder to the northern raider and he may have to play second fiddle to another Yorkshire traveller in the shape of FASHION QUEEN (Best price 7-2) who displays brazen speed from the gates and could be nicely positioned in stall four. The selection also showed great tenacity to score at York last time and might be the answer to a hot race.

Read Sam Turner's tips in the Daily Mail every day or at www.dailymail.co.uk/racing