Saturday Breeders' Cup Tips: Big priced Bobby's Kitten will get you purring at Santa Anita

"But there has been a strong suspicion that this pace-setter/prominent racer will be just as effective, if not more so, over a shorter trip like this, and I can see him running a big race from the front from a decent stall in six."

Back Bobby’s Kitchen @ 15.014/1 or better - 21:05 Santa Anita

Breeders' Cup Saturday is one of the highlight of the racing calendar, so with so much top class action on show we asked our regular tipster Tony Calvin to provide his bets bets of the night...

Having been lucky enough to have attended a few Breeders' Cups - though my first visit, to a rain-soaked Monmouth Park in 2007 wasn't the greatest advert for the sport - it is fair to say that I am a fan of the meeting.

Whether or not it should be split into two days is another matter - it should be a day-long occasion like the Dubai World Cup, especially with fine weather pretty much guaranteed in California - and the simple fact is, like the action in the desert, it doesn't really grab the attention of punters in the UK.

They simply don't know enough about the US horses and dirt racing to really unload, and the timing clearly doesn't help either. Which made those PR "gravy train" trips to Santa Anita and Dubai a bit hard to justify - impossible in fact, if truth be told - and probably explains why the Racing Post, Guardian and Telegraph are the only newspapers to have sent one reporter to this meeting.

But Breeders' Cup 2008 in Santa Anita was the scene for one of my most enjoyable punting moments, when Raven's Pass stormed through the gloom to take the Classic from Henrythenavigator and land the travelling UK media and journo syndicate the Pick 6 (equivalent of our Scoop 6) and hefty four-figure wins all round.

I even think I smiled.

It is undoubtedly a top-class meeting, even if the number of high-profile withdrawals this year - from Wise Dan downwards - is far greater than that of British Champions Day, but I tend to make this meeting a small-stakes interest card.

Be sure to check out the Timeform's cards, ratings and information on www.timeform.com, as they are an invaluable guide to the night's punting.

There are three bets worth having, but I'll go through the card in chronological order and touch on them one by one.

The opening Juvenile Fillies Dirt at 19:05 is not for me - that's a proper guessing game, and Timeform only have 6lb between the top six in their ratings - and I originally thought there was plenty of mileage in opposing Dank in the Filly & Mare Turf at 19:43.

For all that there is a quiet confidence emanating from the Stoute camp about her chances of retaining her title, her price is very skinny considering she hasn't raced since coming back very poorly indeed from Royal Ascot and Timeform only have her 4lb clear of these, too, so she has to be pretty near her best to be winning such a competitive race.

I went round in circles before deciding to sit this out, but I suspect I may end up place laying Dank if she gets too short near the off.

I moved swiftly past the Filly & Mare Sprint at 20:21 but I am going to take a shot at Bobby's Kitten at odds of 15.014/1 or better in the Turf Sprint at 21:05, though I wouldn't be all surprised were Caspar Netscher to come late and hard and go close here.

The angle often used in UK Sprints is latching on to a high-class miler stepping down in trip, and that is what we have with the selection.

He was third in the Juvenile Turf here last season and has been campaigned between 1m and 1m2f since, last time out finishing third to Trade Storm in the Woodbine Mile.

But there has been a strong suspicion that this pace-setter/prominent racer will be just as effective, if not more so, over a shorter trip like this, and I can see him running a big race from the front from a decent stall in six.

He is very keen, so giving him his head over a sprint trip could be just the job. And he is also only 3lb off Timeform's top-rated horse, and may even improve for the step down in distance.

Even in the absence of American Pharoah, the Breeders Cup Juvenile Dirt at 21:43 this year looks a very strong renewal for the home team, with Daredevil the clear form pick on his Champagne Stakes win, and stablemate Carpe Diem is also highly-rated after his runaway Futurity win.

But I think the horse that Daredevil beat at Belmont last time, Upstart, could be worth a small each-way play at odds of 13.012/1.

There was no disgrace in his second there but it could be that the "sloppy" conditions that day were not in his favour and his earlier wins at Saratoga saw him to be very effective on a faster track.

Timeform actually have him second top-rated in here, so a win and place play against the big two looks justified.

I think Flintshire is the likeliest European winner of the night in the Turf but I can't get overly-enthused about odds of around 11-4 given his win record, and predictably nothing floats my boat in the Dirt Sprint.

For some reason, I have never warmed to Toronado and although he is the best horse in the race in the Mile I cannot have him on my mind at around 9-4 in such a deep field around this tight track.

As with the Filly and Mare Turf though, I can't pinpoint any attractive bets against him, so I could well end up laying him for a place.

But for my final bet of the night I am going to suggest another each-way play at the 6-1 mark, and suggest Tonalist at odds of 7.413/2 in the Classic at 00:35.

The unbeaten Shared Belief has the best form coming into this race and is hard to knock, but that is why he is a 7-4 poke, and Tonalist offers a solid each-way alternative.

He doesn't have much to find with the favourite on the evidence of a career-best win in the Grade 1 Jockey Club Stakes at Belmont last time - what, with the Champagne and Futurity Stakes etc, did we nick all the titles of US races, or vice versa, by the way? - and he could still be improving. And, as a 1m4f winner, we know that he will stay if this turns into a grinding war of attrition again.

It'll be disappointing if he is out of the first three. But I'll be keeping stakes low.

Good luck.

Recommended Bets (all Santa Anita)

Back Bobby's Kitchen @ 15.014/1 or better - 21:05
Back Upstart @ 13.012/1 or better - 21:43
Back Upstart to Place @ 4.03/1 or better - 21:43
Back Tonalist @ 7.413/2 or better - 00:35
Back Tonalist to Place @ 2.77/4 or better - 00:35

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Cross-Sport Multiple: Back Smith's Saddlers on Saturday

"Walsall flirted with the play-offs last season and remain a side with potential, as they showed in holding Bristol City to a draw and beating Preston 3-1 earlier in the campaign."

Andrew Hughes thinks Walsall will return from Nottingham with all three points this weekend and help to land another cross-sport multiple in the process. 

Bet 1: Back Walsall to beat Notts County at 2.68/5

After keeping Notts County up in his first season at the club, Shaun Derry has been working wonders on the Trent in recent weeks. The Magpies are flying after five consecutive victories and are up to fourth in League One. 

But that run will come to an end on Saturday against Walsall. Dean Smith's side have often lacked a striker to turn their possession into goals, but the return of Tom Bradshaw last weekend helped them to a hard-fought win over Chesterfield and they look a much more dangerous team with the former Shrewsbury striker on the pitch.

Walsall flirted with the play-offs last season and remain a side with potential, as they showed in holding Bristol City to a draw and beating Preston 3-1 earlier in the campaign. It's also worth noting that County's five recent wins all came against teams in the bottom half. Back the Saddlers to upset the odds in Nottingham.  

Bet 2: Back Munster to beat Cardiff at 1.538/15

Cardiff should go into this game with some confidence after recording back to back victories over Grenoble and Rovigo in the European Challenge Cup, but I expect normal service to resume when they return to Pro12 action on Saturday. 

The Blues have won just one of their six games so far, against Zebre in their opening match, and are being kept off the bottom of the table by the two Italian teams. 

A 24-24 draw with Connacht in Round 5 offered some encouragement to Blues fans, but I can't see them having anything to celebrate this weekend. Munster have only lost one of their last seven in all competitions and haven't lost to Cardiff since 2009. Back the Irish side to record their fourth away win in succession. 

Bet 3: Back Milos Raonic to beat Tomas Berdych at 1.834/5  

Saturday's ATP Paris Masters semi-final between Tomas Berdych and Milos Raonic should be a gripping encounter between two of the world's top ten, but there is more at stake for one of them then just a place in the final. 

Whilst Berdych's win over Kevin Anderson in the quarter-final earned him a spot at the ATP World Tour Finals, Raonic travelled to Paris knowing that he needed to win the tournament to qualify for London. 

But the young Canadian seems to be thriving on the pressure, beating Roger Federer for the first time in his career in the quarter-finals and up against an opponent he has beaten twice in three meetings, he can reach the final.    

Total Odds for this multiple: 7.28n/a Remember, multiple prices are based on our Sportsbook product, so any winnings are exempt from commission.

Staked: 86 pts
Returned: 97.7 pts
P/L: + 11.7 pts

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Ryan Moore at the Breeders' Cup: The views on my four rides on Saturday night

22:22 Santa Anita - Telescope

"And he showed what he is capable of over this trip on fast ground when beating Hillstar by seven lengths at Royal Ascot. He comes here in really good nick, and is poised to run a big race."

Ryan Moore has four rides on the second night of the Breeders' Cup including two for his boss Sir Michael Stoute, and here you can read the Betfair Ambassador's exclusive thoughts on his own chances plus those of his main rivals...

To be honest, I'd be lying if I said I've had a good look at the races that I am not riding in. I concentrate on my job, not those of others. Toronado is the form horse in the Mile but it is a very competitive race and he will need luck in running with 14 in the field.

And while Shared Belief is the most likely winner of the Classic, the vibes that I have been hearing have not been overly-positive and he did have a hard race last time.

Here are my views on my mounts and the races I ride in:

19:43 Santa Anita - Dank

This looks a pretty competitive Filly & Mare Turf, with a fair bit of depth to it, so I am pretty surprised to see that Dank is only about a 2-1 chance to win this. Don't get me wrong, I think she is the one to beat on form but the fact is that she came back wrong after finishing well beaten in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes at Ascot, and she has needed time to get her back on song.

But this is where the boss comes into his own. And when he readies a horse for an international prize from a long way out, then it takes a brave man to bet against him, as we saw again with Hillstar in Canada recently. And he would have had this race in mind for this filly ever since he started nursing her back to health and form, and she certainly appears in real good order at the moment.

She obviously won this race last season but to a large extent I think that we got away with it there, as it was coming to the end of a long campaign, and she had been on the go since May. But we can at least be sure that she comes here a fresh horse, and she felt a very good filly indeed when winning the Beverly D last year. She has a nice stall and has a class edge on these.

But there are no end of serious rivals as Flower Bowl winner Stephanie's Kitten and the progressive Dayatthespa look to pose a decent home challenge, and Just The Judge, Secret Gesture and Fiesolana have chances, too. Just The Judge needs to step up again on her EP Taylor win but clearly has to be respected, while Fiesolona could be troublesome if returning to the form of her Matron Stakes win and lasting home over this longer trip. But I am pretty happy with my filly, and she'd be my best chance of a winner.

21:05 Santa Anita - Dimension

I don't know too much about him to be honest, as he has clearly come a very long way since I rode him to win a Kempton maiden three years ago. But he has obviously developed into a pretty classy sprinter in the States, running well from a wide draw when fifth in this race last year and tuning up for this with a win in Kentucky last time. It looks as if he can be slowly away, which won't be ideal round here, but he appears to have an outside place chance, though he does have a lot to find on form I must admit.

Others look to have more obvious chances, including last year's Morny winner No Nay Never, Reneesgotzip and Undrafted, who ran a great race when fourth in the July Cup. But, in truth, you can give most of these a chance - as is the case in most sprints, I find - and Caspar Netscher looked pretty decent when winning the Nearctic last time and this 6 1/2f could be his trip. But no firm opinions here.

21:43 Santa Anita - The Great War

Given this is on dirt, the Europeans don't have that bad a record in this race, with three winners in the last 12 years or so, but it is obviously a guessing game as to how horses will act on the surface.

I think it is probably fair to say that The Great War hasn't fulfilled early expectations just yet, but he looked good when winning over 6f at the Curragh last time and being a War Front gives you hope that he will handle the surface. But as well as the dirt he has to prove that he stays this trip, as he certainly has a lot of pace. But his pedigree does give you some hope on that score. It's clearly a big ask though, and that is why he is the only European horse in here.

And the home team do look exceptionally strong this year. American Pharoah may be out of the race but the likes of Daredevil and Carpe Diem look above-average juveniles coming into this, as does Upstart, so I'd probably be delighted with a place. Of the two favourites, I would favour Carpe Diem, and he could well be favourite for the Kentucky Derby after this.

22:22 Santa Anita - Telescope

This is one race that the Europeans have tended to dominate, but I'll be honest and say that I think Flintshire is the one to beat. I think 1m4f on fast ground is what he needs, he probably ran a career best in the Arc last time, and he is trained by a genius in Andre Fabre.

Luckily, so is Telescope, and the boss produced Conduit for back-to-back wins in this race, and he resisted the temptation to take this horse to the Arc, so he has been tuning him up for this ever since.

To be straight up, I was a little disappointed by his third in the Juddmonte at the time, but on reflection it probably was a pretty decent run against faster horses over a trip short of his best at York. And he showed what he is capable of over this trip on fast ground when beating Hillstar by seven lengths at Royal Ascot. He comes here in really good nick, and is poised to run a big race.

Aidan has suffered a blow with last year's winner Magician ruled out of this race but the rest of the field should be relieved; he possessed brilliance on his day, and I'd go as far to say that if he had run up to his best in this race, he would have won.

I travelled over to the Woodbine International with Michael Owen, and I felt for him when Brown Panther had to be withdrawn there. That experience wasn't great and, more importantly, these conditions won't ideally play to the horse's strengths and bigger dangers could be Main Sequence, Hardest Core and maybe even Chicquita if they can harness her undoubted, if wayward, talent.

But for me I think Flintshire is the one to beat - he does have the best recent form, for all that he seemingly finds it hard to win - and Fabre successfully trod the same path with Arc fourth and Turf winner Shirocco at Belmont in 2005. I hope that I am wrong though. But whatever way you look at it, it is a pretty competitive race even without Magician, and one likely to be truly-run, too.

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Timeform UK SmartPlays: Saturday November 1

"Ardkilly Witness should benefit from a recent spin over hurdles at Cheltenham and is taken to strike for his in-form yard."

Ascot and Wetherby provide high-class jumps action on Saturday. Timeform pick out the best bets from across the cards.

Sign of A Victory - 15:00 Ascot

Sign of A Victory looked an unlucky loser when persistently hampered by a loose horse on the run-in at Ayr in April and remains with some potential. He can make a winning reappearance. Mountain King will make a chaser in time, but he's got more to offer in this sphere before then and may pose the biggest threat to the selection, with Ted Spread also coming into the reckoning.

Taquin de Seuil - 15:15 Wetherby

Silviniaco Conti was successful in two of four starts in Grade 1 company last term, notably the King George, and has the best form in the book, but connections may have one eye on races such as the Betfair Chase in three weeks time, and he may be worth opposing on this occasion with Cheltenham Festival scorer Taquin du Seuil, who has had the benefit of a recent pipe-opener. Medermit looks next best.

Ardkilly Witness - 15:35 Ascot

Ardkilly Witness should benefit from a recent spin over hurdles at Cheltenham and is taken to strike for his in-form yard. Le Bec starts life in handicaps from a fair-looking mark and can compete if putting in a fault-free round of jumping, while Merry King was placed in this event 12 months ago and won't be far away again if ready to go after an absence.

Timeform UK SmartPlays

Back Sign of A Victory in the 15:00 Ascot
Back Taquin de Seuil in the 15:15 Wetherby
Back Ardkilly Witness in the 15:35 Ascot

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Timeform US SmartPlays: Saturday August 30

"This looks a good opportunity for the forecast second favourite First Frost to overturn Morning Line selection Wingate Hall..."

Timeform's US team pick out their three best bets for Saturday night's stateside action...

Today's Man looks a solid selection in the third race (19:11 BST) at Delaware. This low-level claimer has attracted eight runners among whom only Sky Of Grey has remotely comparable form and even then has he has a fair bit to find on recent form. Today's Man managed only sixth place last time but that was in a better-class race than the one he is in today and the last time he was down at this sort of level he romped home at Pimlico making all the running. A similar sort of scenario is on the cards today.

There is a very good card at Saratoga but value looks to be thin on the ground so we'll stay at Delaware for our second bet which is Dramedy in the seventh race (21:02 BST). He had a very stiff task on last time taking on the useful Reporting Star at level weights at Woodbine, so did extremely well to only go down by a very slim margin, in the process pulling clear of some fairly useful types and a subsequent winner. The ex-Irish Captain's Affair would set a good standard if at his best on his first run for getting on for a year but his trainer Richard Mettee isn't exactly firing right now whereas Dramedy's new trainer Michael Pino is in a hot vein of form and has an excellent strike rate with horses back from this sort of three-month break.

The third race at Mountaineer (00:44 BST) is an allowance race that looks a good opportunity for the forecast second favourite First Frost to overturn Morning Line selection Wingate Hall. The latter has won his last two races on dirt at this track, so has to be respected, but those victories came against weaker competition than this and more significantly, he has still to look anywhere near as accomplished on grass. First Frost comes here on the back of a career-best effort on the synthetic at Presque Isle, so ought to handle his first try at turf and he brings the better recent form to the table.

Timeform US SmartPlays

Delaware race 3 (19:11 BST) win back #6 TODAY'S MAN @ 3.211/5 or longer
Delaware race 7 (21:02 BST) win back #1 DRAMEDY @ 5.04/1 or longer
Mountaineer race 3 (00:44 BST) win back #7 FIRST FROST @ 3.211/5 or longer

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Market Movers: Saturday, August 30

This afternoon's market movers come from the meetings at Sandown, Beverley, Chester, Newton Abbot, and Wexford...

Sandown

14:40
Future Empire 2.96 in to 2.68
Aktabantay 2.57 out to 2.84

15:15
Fintry 2.5 out to 3.05
Diamond Dove 9.4 in to 8.4
Audacia 30.0 in to 22.0

15:50
Mount Shamsan 11.0 in to 9.6

16:25
Sister of Mercy 6.0 in to 5.1
Assault On Rome 8.6 in to 6.0

17:00
Zain Empire 7.8 in to 3.6

17:30
Telefono 2.97 out to 3.6
Norway Cross 6.11 in to 4.3

Beverley

13:55
Adele 2.12 out to 2.42
Hollie Point 2.8 in to 2.46

14:25
Pearl Secret 2.9 out to 3.45
Line Of Reason 13.29 in to 9.0

15:05
Ingenti 7.36 in to 6.2
Thatcherite 8.59 in to 7.4
Rich Again 9.0 in to 7.2
Bronze Beau 12.0 in to 8.8

15:40
Tom Sawyer 9.64 in to 7.6
Where The Boys Are 12.05 in to 8.4

16:15
Yenhaab 5.0 in to 3.7
Scallop 3.0 out to 4.2

16:50
Storm King 10.54 in to 8.4

17:50
Nam Ma Prow 7.4 in to 5.7

Chester

14:20
Ballesteros 8.31 in to 6.2
Dungannon 9.91 in to 7.6

14:55
Russian Realm 9.0 in to 7.8

16:05
Enlace 2.3 out to 3.5
Evening Rain 4.14 in to 3.55

17:10
Pushkin Museum 6.77 in to 5.3

17:40
Rosslyn Castle 5.94 in to 5.2
Nashville 10.54 in to 8.4
Albert Bridge 13.41 in to 9.2
Kleitomachos 16.77 in to 12.0

Newton Abbot

14:10
Goodbye Dancer 1.47 in to 1.29

14:45
Henryville 8.2 in to 6.4
Aalim 8.8 in to 6.4
Cool George 30.0 in to 12.0

15:20
Dursey Sound 5.4 in to 4.6
Houston Dynimo 8.4 in to 4.8

15:55
Y A Bon 7.8 in to 6.8
Unefille De Guye 18.5 in to 12.5

16:30
Calusa Star 7.0 in to 5.8

17:05
Bajan Blu 7.0 in to 5.5
Fair Dreamer 7.0 in to 5.0

17:35
Hollow Penny 2.5 in to 2.2
Sublime Talent 8.8 in to 7.0

Wexford

15:10
Mr Rock 2.64 in to 1.91

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Sandown Placepot: Saturday August 30

"Spa’s Dancer was unsuited by the way the race developed on his last outing and is better judged on good seconds at Newbury and Redcar earlier this season..."

Timeform attempt to crack the placepot at Sandown...

14:05 - Tagula Night has a particular liking for Sandown's sprint track and can land a fourth C&D win here. He was unsuited by the running of the race when a creditable third last time at Windsor and a low draw and Ryan Moore in the saddle should see him to better effect. David O'Meara's Eccleston put in the best performance of his short career when winning over C&D in April and should appreciate today's soft going.

14:40 - Aktabantay had been the focus of punters' interest in the lead-up to today's Solario Stakes, but the money has now come for Godlophin's impressive Newmarket maiden winner Future Empire and he looks set to give a bold show. He beat three subsequent winners when opening his account on debut and can confirm that promise here.

15:15 - André Fabre has a formidable record with three-year-olds in the UK and Fintry can enhance an already impressive 60% strike rate in the Atalanta Stakes. This progressive filly took her form to another level when comfortably winning the Group Two Prix Sandringham at Chantilly when last seen. She beat some Group One performers that day and is still entitled to plenty of improvement so should have enough to score.

15:50 - Clon Brulee carries top-weight in this competitive handicap, but he was impressive when landing the spoils at Newmarket last time and can continue his good form here on ground he appreciates. The likeable Spa's Dancer is also worthy of an interest. He was unsuited by the way the race developed on his last outing and is better judged on good seconds at Newbury and Redcar earlier this season.

16:25 This is a tight little nursery in which Among Angels and Sister Of Mercy will hopefully keep us in the hunt. Among Angels ran with credit in the Windsor Castle and was seemingly not right when disappointing last time out. With a break and the booking of Ryan Moore in his favour, he can bounce back at the main expense of Roger Charlton's Sister Of Mercy.

17:00 - David Simcock's Zain Empire rates a solid option here. He has shown signs of inexperience since opening his account on debut at Carlisle, but has been going the right way and can improve past more experienced rivals today.

Selections:

14:05 - 3, 16
14:40 - 4
15:15 - 1
15:50 - 1, 4
16:25 - 1, 2
17:00 - 2

=8 lines

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Timeform Radio Tips: Saturday August 30

"Hold Court has had just four tries over fences and has yet to get off the mark, though he might well have done but for falling at the last here in June..."

David Cleary returns with his best bets for a busy Saturday full of competitive action...

Sandown hosts the main afternoon card, with some competitive fare, but the quality is well spread around, with decent racing at Beverley, Chester and Newton Abbot as well. On a busy day, it's a couple of horses at the last two named venues make most appeal.

Chester's sprint handicap at 14.20 looks a solid opportunity for Ballesteros finally to come good for the Richard Fahey yard. Ballesteros has hinted that all his ability remains intact for his new yard this year and ran his best race for it at the Shergar Cup meeting at Ascot earlier this month. Ballesteros shaped well then on ground that would have been plenty fast enough for him, which promises more to come back on easier going this afternoon. Ballesteros is a course-and-distance winner, has a reasonable draw to track what is likely to be a strong pace and the servies of promising 5-lb claimer Jack Garritty for the first time. B Fifty Two is the main danger after his excellent run at York last week, but Ballesteros looks to have a lot going for him and can land the prize.

The Mildmay Memorial Chase at Newton Abbot (15.20) has an open look to it. Houston Dynimo has been the morning mover and is obviously interesting on just his second start for David Pipe. However, he has more on than when winning over hurdles at Southwell last time and looks short enough now. One of definite interest against him is his stable companion Shotavodka. He has a progressive profile, doesn't look to have been treated too harshly for his win at Haydock in the spring and may well be suited by the way this race is likely to be run. If he is fit after a break, then Shotavodka will be there or thereabouts.

At a much bigger price, it's also worth keeping Hold Court on side. He has had just four tries over fences and has yet to get off the mark, though he might well have done but for falling at the last here in June. Hold Court has taken on some promising sorts in novices but has acquitted himself with credit and could well have more to offer, now that he switches to handicaps. He is one of three runners for his trainer Evan Williams, Adam Wedge in the saddle, with stable jockey Paul Moloney riding Buck Mulligan. That shouldn't count against Hold Court particularly, but it appears to in his price, which is far bigger than it should be on form.

Recommended bets

Back Ballesteros @ 6.411/2 in the 14:20 at Chester
Back Shotavodka @ 7.06/1 and Hold Court @ 26.025/1 in the 15:20 at Newton Abbot

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Follow The Money: Empire being backed in today's Saturday Sandown special

Recommended Bets

Lay Fintry in the 15:15 Sandown @ 2.962/1

Back Assault On Rome in the 16:25 Sandown @ 6.05/1

Back Zain Empire in the 17:00 Sandown @ 3.412/5

The markets have been reviewed and all three of today's Follow The Money selections come from the meeting at Sandown...

It takes a brave person to ignore the words of the great Andre Fabre and he has warned that his filly Fintry may not be at her best in today's 15:15 Sandown. Her price has eased out from 2.56/4 to her current price of 2.962/1 with large volumes of money traded on her. She has been off the track for 90 days and has a seven pound Group two penalty to shoulder as well. She has been brought here for better ground but this is very much a prep race for the Sun Chariot. She rates a good value lay with several credible rivals in opposition.

Moving on to the 16:25 Sandown, Assault On Rome has been backed to take advantage of a drop in class. The early 8.615/2 is long gone and she's currently trading at 6.05/1. She has been highly tried for the excellent Mark Johnston stable, running respectably in a listed race at Cologne in July and following that with an excellent third place behind Cabs in a Class three Nursery at Newmarket. Off the same mark and in this easier grade, this consistent sort can get her head back in front today. She should be able to get a prominent early position from her good draw and as with most representatives from this stable, keep finding at the business end.

Zain Empire has been the subject of relentless support in the 17:00 Sandown. Small money has been traded on him at as big as 7.613/2 and larger sums at all rates down to his current 3.412/5 accounting for over half of the money traded on the market. He's a lightly raced and progressive colt. After making a successful debut at Carlisle he ran an excellent third behind Provenance at Sandown over seven furlongs, form which has been boosted by the winner since. He posted another good effort on his latest start where he just missed out. After just three starts he is still open to improvement and the strength of support reflects his trainer's view that the colt is steadily improving and can only get better, will like the ground and should go well.

Recommended Bets

Lay Fintry in the 15:15 Sandown @ 2.962/1
Back Assault On Rome in the 16:25 Sandown @ 6.05/1
Back Zain Empire in the 17:00 Sandown @ 3.412/5

Staked: 632pts
Returned: 664.65pts
P/L: + 52.72pts (before commission)

Updated to end of July. Based on prices at time of publication.

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Timeform US SmartPlays: Saturday August 23

Timeform's North American team bring you bets from Saratoga and Woodbine on Saturday...

The third race (17:37 BST) on a marathon card at Saratoga, an allowance race on the turf, could well be a good opportunity for Blue Pigeon to get back to winning ways. The son of Mizzen Mast only made his reappearance here last month having been off the track since November and though he finished behind two that oppose him again, he shaped very well, better than the two ahead of him arguably, doing too much chasing a strong pace before those exertions and lack of a recent run found him out. He should strip fitter today and makes plenty of appeal at the forecast price given his 2013 form is the best in the field by some way.
In the seventh race (21:19 BST) at Woodbine, a claimer over six furlongs on the synthetic surface, Marcian looks to have a good chance of extending her winning sequence to four. She hasn't run since May, but that's not a worry as her victory that day followed a seven-month break, and she has an excellent record over this course and distance. She's not beholden to any particular tactics which is useful given her outside draw but it wouldn't surprise to see her ridden prominently given the lack of competition for the early lead. She has the best form by some way by our estimation. 

Sky Painter hasn't been seen since the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf - she finished ninth to Chriselliam - but a nine-month absence is seldom a negative so far as her trainer Kiaran McLaughlin is concerned and the fact she runs with Lasix first time in the thirteenth race (23: 20 BST) at Saratoga is what has really made up sit up and take notice. McLaughlin is awarded maximum marks by our TimeformUS partners for his record with horses running on medication first time and anything like a repeat of her best 2013 form would see her win this race readily, in which case she is no 4 shot as the Morning Line suggests.     

Timeform US SmartPlays:
Race 3 Saratoga (17:37 BST) win back #10 BLUE PIGEON at 3.613/5 or longer
Race 7 Woodbine (21:19 BST) win back #9 MARCIAN at 2.89/5 or longer
Race 13 Saratoga (23:20 BST) win back #5 SKY PAINTER at 3.613/5 or longer 

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Big Saturday Multiple: Back Orient to make most of home advantage

Bet 1: Derby County (HOME) @ 1.728/11

Bet 2: Leyton Orient (HOME) @ 21/1

Bet 3: AFC Wimbledon (HOME) @ 1.910/11

Jonno Turner scans the bottom three English divisions and comes up with a treble to kick start the weekend in style...

It's been a miserable start to the season for relegated Fulham, and they're off to Derby County today, looking for their first point since their drop from the Premier League.

Back to back 1-0 losses have followed up an opening day defeat to Ipswich Town, and that leaves the Craven Cottage side languishing second bottom in the second tier, and on the road to becoming the whipping boys of the division.

And their form on the road is particularly poor. Just one victory since Boxing Day away from West London - a run consisting 13 outings - indicates that Felix Magath's side might struggle in this clash, as they make their way north up the M1.

Hosts Derby line up for this encounter having stumbled themselves, though. A 1-0 home win over Rotherham United was just the ticket for the first game of the season - but the Rams followed up with a goalless stalemate against Sheffield Wednesday, and a loss at Charlton last week.

But Steve McLaren's side are at least strong at Pride Park - and four wins from their last five in front of a home crowd will give them much confidence today.

County sit 14th in the table heading into this clash, but a win could put them right back amongst the top six - and they will be desperate to make the most of this opportunity.

It's been six year's since these two sides have done battle, but Derby have historically fared well against their guests, with five unbeaten from their last half a dozen home ties.

Bet 1: Derby County (HOME) @ 1.728/11

To the capital now, as we drop a division, where Leyton Orient host Walsall at the Matchroom Stadium.

The O's went into this season with big expectations following an impressive campaign last year which saw them narrowly miss out on promotion after leading for much of the way - but their hopes were quickly dashed as they succumbed to an opening day loss against Chesterfield.

Since that outing, Russell Slade appears to have galvanised his troops somewhat, and they have won two and drawn one of their subsequent three outings, a run which suggests that they are on an upward curve.

This is their first home clash since that surprise defeat, and the hosts will be keen to right a wrong, and grab their third win from four outings on their own patch.

One thing's for sure - this is a side drenched in goals. Darius Henderson, Dave Mooney and Kevin Lisbie have all gotten off the mark already this season, and six notched in their last three outings indicates that there is certainly no shortage of final third quality in Orient's ranks.

Walsall head south having won just one of their four outings this campaign - a League Cup clash against fourth division Southend United - and that means that the visitors are still to get off the mark in the league.

A 2-1 home defeat to Yeovil Town won't have done much for confidence in the Saddlers camp though, and with just two draws previous to that outing, Dean Smith's side teeter on the edge of the drop zone.

It is now four clashes since the visitors grabbed a win on the road, or indeed kept a clean sheet away from the Bescot Stadium, and I reckon that they might feel the full force of a Leyton Orient side keen to put things right in front of their home crowd.

Bet 2: Leyton Orient (HOME) @ 21/1

And heading south west of London now, where an in-form AFC Wimbledon welcome relegation-zone Hartlepool United to the Cherry Red Records Stadium.

The home side go into this one in fifth place in the fourth tier, and unbeaten in the league after their opening trio of outings.

A pair of back to back 1-0 wins on the road will have morale high in the home camp, and they will be looking to maintain that momentum as they line up on home turf.

With a front pairing of Matt Tubbs and Ade Akinfenwa, the Dons certainly know where the net is, and that experience could play a big part as they face a 'Pool side which has shipped a whopping 11 goals in their opening six hours of football this season.

Colin Cooper's charges make the arduous trip to this game having lost two home outings on the trot, both by two goals, and unfortunately for the Monkey Hangers, their form away from Victoria Park isn't much better.

In fact, they've not won in nine on their travels - and they've not even scored in six of those.

You have to ask whether their gaffer will be given much more time to turn around this miserable run, and that pressure could be playing on the visitor's minds a little bit. I just can't look past Neal Ardley's Dons for the win here.


Bet 3: AFC Wimbledon (HOME) @ 1.910/11

Please note: Prices quoted are based on our Sportbook product, so any winnings are exempt from commission.

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Timeform Irish SmartPlays: Saturday August 23

"There are plenty who line up with live chances but one for our money is Hasanour for the in-form Mick Halford yard..."

Timeform's Irish team bring you their three best bets from the Curragh on Saturday...

We kick off proceedings with the Group 3 Renaissance Stakes over six furlongs (15:10) and it looks a smart field for the grade. The one to keep on side is Maarek, who should be sharper for his recent comeback effort at this track and can return to his best to add to his Duke of York success back in May. In truth he might not need to be at the peak of his powers to win, and providing he's progressed from last time he should have enough in the locker to account for today's rivals. 

It's a handicap over a mile under consideration next (15:45) and there are plenty who line up with live chances. The one for our money is Hasanour for the in-form Mick Halford yard, who finally delivered on his considerable promise at Galway at the end of last month. The visually-impressive manner of his victory gave no reason to suggest a 7 lb rise would temper his chances, and he's taken to go in again, although Focussed is feared. 

The final bet on the card comes in the listed Curragh Stakes for two-year-olds (16:20) and given that Ainippe looked a potentially smart prospect when making a winning start to her career at Naas last month, she's taken to take the step up to pattern company in her stride. The Great War merits respect now he's been given a drop in grade but the selection looked one to watch on debut and can take this on her way to bigger and better things. 

Timeform Irish SmartPlays
All at The Curragh

Back Maarek in the 15:10
Back Hasanour in the 15:45
Back Ainippe in the 16:20

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Timeform Radio Tips: Saturday August 23

Mighty Yar, Clever Cookie and Sir Walter Scott are all relatively unexposed and make clear appeal, but, at longer odds, Mighty Yar's stable companion Retirement Plan and Irish challenger Mutual Regard look worth an interest...

David Cleary puts up two long-priced Ebor punts, as well as a couple of other selections on Saturday...

The climax of the York Ebor meeting, the Ebor itself, takes centre stage this afternoon, with a field of twenty set to line up at 15.50. Pallasator has been a warm order for the race ever since his victory at Ascot a month ago, the pick of the weights under a 4 lb penalty for that success. That form has been boosted subsequently and he holds an obvious chance, particularly with the step back up in trip sure to benefit him. However, he's an obvious horse's price and there is every reason in such a strong handicap to look for value elsewhere.

Mighty Yar, Clever Cookie and Sir Walter Scott are all relatively unexposed and make clear appeal, but, at longer odds, Mighty Yar's stable companion Retirement Plan and Irish challenger Mutual Regard look worth an interest. Retirement Plan ran against Pallasator at Ascot, well backed on the day but below expectations, likely to have needed the run on his first start since the spring. He got back on track with a win over two miles at the Shergar Cup and although that isn't the strongest piece of form, Retirement Plan remains unexposed and he has the potential to progress again now he's back on track. 

Mutual Regard comes here after just two runs this year since joining Johnny Murtagh. Progressive at three, he won well at the Curragh on his return, that better form on which to judge him than his run in listed company behind Pale Mimosa at Leopardstown last time. Mutual Regard may well have more to offer. Also to the advantage of both Mutual Regard and Retirement Plan is that they are likely to be ridden handily in a race with a striking lack of potential pace.

That isn't a concern in the Gimcrack at 15.15, in which Jungle Cat can take advantage of not having to face Ivawood and land the spoils. Jungle Cat has been placed in pattern company on his last three starts, each time showing good speed but the last twice paying for pressing on with a superior rival in the shape of the best two-year-old colt around. With a flat track likely to play to his strengths, Jungle Cat can prove too good in what looks a slightly substandard renewal.

Away from York, there's a fascinating contest in prospect for the listed Hopeful Stakes at Newmarket (15.55). Tropics, who won this last year, and Intrinsic head the market, one a proven good-class sprinter, the other very much on the up after his win in the Stewards' Cup last time. While Intrinsic looks a pattern performer in the making and his form last time is strong, Tropics already is one, with a career-best run in the July Cup last time out. Intrinsic needs to improve a fair bit if Tropics runs up to that form and the latter has to be the bet, given there's little between them in the market. Tropics' proven ability to handle Newmarket's July course is another factor in his favour.  
Recommended bets: 
Back Retirement Plan @ 30.029/1 and Mutual Regard @ 26.025/1 in the 15.50 at York 
Back Jungle Cat @ 9.08/1 in the 15.15 at York
Back Tropics @ 4.57/2 in the 15.55 at Newmarket

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Timeform Radio Tips: Saturday December 28

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Market Movers: Saturday, December 28

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Timeform Irish SmartPlays: Saturday December 28

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Timeform US SmartPlays: Saturday December 28

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Market Movers: Saturday October 5

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Timeform US SmartPlays: Saturday October 5

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The Joker's Bet of the Day: Sturmy Saturday

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