Saturday Horse Racing Tips from Steve Ryder

Middle Earth is respected on his reappearance but has to concede race fitness to DESERT HERO (best priced at 11/10) who made an encouraging return at Sandown a month ago. The William Haggas trained four-year-old was beaten on his reappearance last season before winning the King Geroge V Handicap at Royal Ascot and the Group 3 Gordon Stakes at Goodwood. He ran well to finish 3rd in the St Leger before a gelding operation over the winter. 

Returning over an inadequate trip of 1m2f, Desert Hero stayed on well to finish only a head behind Okeechobee at Sandown and he should relish this step back up in trip. He is top rated with a mark of 113 and I expect him to prove hard to beat in this race. 

The Ian Williams trained QUINAULT (best priced at 8/1) proved a revelation last season with seven victories from nine runs improving from a mark of 59 up to a mark of 102. The four-year-old now returns to Newmarket where he has won all three of his starts (two at the Rowley Mile and one at the July course) including when beating subsequent group level winners Mill Stream and Washington Heights in July. 

Quinault could only finish midfield on his final start last season but it was at the end of a long campaign and he should be involved in the finish with up to five places available. 

This looks a strong renewal of this listed fillies’ trial stakes but I do feel that SIYOLA (best priced at 5/4) should prove hard to beat following her impressive debut victory at Sandown. The well-bred daughter of Siyouni was sent off 2nd favourite behind stablemate Beeley that day but won by 1 ¼ lengths and the form of that run has been boosted. Beeley went on to finish a close up 5th in the Cheshire Oaks and the third Secret Satire, who was conceding 6lbs that day, went on to win the Group 3 Musidora Stakes earlier this week. 

Kieran Shoemark takes over on board with William Buick riding for Godolphin and he will be expecting Siyola to remain unbeaten.