Steve Ryder picks out four best bets for Saturday's racing at Newmarket, Ascot, Down Royal and Keeneland.
11:50 NewmarketSee All Odds
TIP 1: WODAO - 1pt EW
Best odds of 6/1 at bet365 while publishing.
The Steph Hollinshead trained WODAO (best priced at 6/1) has bounced back to form recently since the reapplication of a tongue tie and blinkers combination and he should relish this step back up in trip. The six-year-old defied odds of 22/1 to win by 2 ¼ lengths at Redcar before comfortably following up at Yarmouth by 3 ½ lengths on his next start.
Both of those victories came over 5f and connections decided to run him under a penalty at Leicester over 5f last time when only 4th as a result of being outpaced over that trip. He now steps back up in trip to 6f which will suit and he looks sure to run well if coping with the return to faster ground at this track.
2:00 AscotSee All Odds
TIP 2: VANDERPOEL - 1pt Win
Best odds of 9/2 at bet365 while publishing.
This looks a competitive renewal of the Sodexo Live! Handicap Chase but preference goes to the Ben Pauling trained VANDERPOEL (best priced at 9/2). The seven-year-old is unbeaten in his four career starts going right-handed but is 0-4 going left-handed under rules. He was an impressive 7 length winner over this course and distance last season before following up by 4 ¼ lengths at Sandown in January off a mark of 134.
Vanderpoel ran with credit when 7th in the Grand Annual at the Cheltenham Festival when last seen off this mark and he can hopefully provide the stable with a much needed winner.
3:15 Down RoyalSee All Odds
TIP 3: ROMEO COOLIO - 1pt Win
Best odds of 10/3 at William Hill while publishing.
ROMEO COOLIO (best priced at 10/3) proved a revelation last season as a novice chaser winning four of his five starts before disappointing in a first-time hood at the Cheltenham Festival. He beat subsequent Grade 1 winner Koktail Divin by 14 lengths at this meeting last season before a trio of Grade 1 victories over a shorter trip.
This 3 mile trip remains a slight question mark for Romeo Coolio but he is such a fantastic jumper of a fence that the 16 fences he will encounter as a result is no doubt a positive. Gordon Elliott has won this contest a record equalling five times and this will have no doubt been an early season target for connections.
5:48 KeenelandSee All Odds
TIP 4: BACIO - 2pts Win
Best odds of 6/4 at Betfair Sportsbook while publishing.
The Wesley Ward trained BACIO (best priced at 6/4) has won five of his six career starts and will no doubt be suited by the return to American style racing off the back of victories at both Royal Ascot and York. He made a mockery of a mark of 100 to win the Palace Of Holyroodhouse Handicap by 3 ¾ lengths before making all in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes last time despite encountering good to soft ground.
Bacio is well drawn in Stall 3 to attack from the gates and I expect him to win this in style.
