UK Horse Racing Tips: Newmarket

Charlie Appleby has trained three of the last six winners of this contest and DESERT CASTLE could enhance that record. The Frankel colt is a brother to a Group 1 winner and a couple of fancy entries next month suggest he's been showing all the right signs at home. Farasan is closely related to stablemate and Group 3 winner Oxagon. He could prove competitive, while Sommood and Hierax are others to note.
Prediction : 1st Desert Castle 2nd Farasan 3rd Sommood

ZARAKOVA took a big step forward when filling the runner-up spot over 7f at Epsom. Picked off in the final furlong having attempted to make all on that occasion, Andrew Balding's filly steps up in trip and could prove too strong. 900,000gns purchase Oh Sweet Adare is a sister to a Listed winner and can't be ruled out on debut with her yard in excellent form, whilst fellow newcomer Lily Pink is preferred to Bint Palace Pier of the remaining pair.
Prediction : 1st Zarakova 2nd Oh Sweet Adare 3rd Lily Pink

NABATI boasts the strongest piece of form. The Yarmouth maiden winner showed considerable improvement when missing out by only a neck in Listed company at Newbury next time and the Night Of Thunder colt could prove hard to stop at this lower level. Tawakal rates the main danger based on his highly encouraging debut success at Nottingham, while newcomer Al Widyan heads the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Nabati 2nd Tawakal 3rd Al Widyan

The veteran SPRING BLOOM has been showing his younger counterparts how it's done recently. John Butler's gelding arrives having notched up a brace of C&D wins last month and can go in again under a 4lb penalty. Havana Blue would be a deserved winner having twice struck the woodwork at Ascot, and don't rule out Fiscal Policy, whose two latest efforts have come in a pair of fiercely competitive York affairs.
Prediction : 1st Spring Bloom 2nd Havana Blue 3rd Fiscal Policy

Areti got her day in the sun in a Redcar novice last month and remains capable of a bit better returned to handicaps, but MELODICAL might be the value. Ed Walker's filly goes handicapping following a 302-day absence, over a trip that should suit her better, and it is perhaps noteworthy that Oisin Murphy gets aboard for the first time. Hilltop has held her form well since winning at Newcastle and is another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Melodical 2nd Areti 3rd Hilltop

All three of these have a chance, not least the hat-trick seeking Shimmering Sands, who was really impressive when bolting up at Pontefract last time. An 8lb rise doesn't look too harsh, but the presence of LUCKY HERO might foil his bid for glory. David O'Meara's charge has only attempted 1m2f twice and the latest of them resulted in a clearcut Redcar triumph. He escapes a penalty for that apprentice handicap win and is taken to find further improvement. Blue Noon might be booked for third.
Prediction : 1st Lucky Hero 2nd Shimmering Sands 3rd Blue Noon