Saturday Racing Tips: Owen’s four to Shine on May’s end

Eight cards make up Saturday's schedule, including a Betfred-sponsored affair at Haydock that features a couple of Group 3s.

Two of my Saturday racing tips come from the Merseyside venue, alongside selections at Chester and Lingfield.

15:33 Haydock - Kikkuli each-way @ 12/1

If running to his best, Audience will be very hard to stop in the Betfred John Of Gaunt Stakes - a Group 3 over 7f for horses aged four and above. However, he's an inconsistent type with something to prove after underwhelming on his last three outings.

To a lesser extent, the admirable Kinross has questions to answer too. The eight-year-old managed just one victory last season and might finally be regressing. That being said, not at an alarming rate and his sights are being lowered here.

I think KIKKULI is the value in the 12-strong field - and he's advised each-way with Betfred paying four places instead of three.

Harry Charlton's four-year-old Kingman colt is a half-brother to arguably the greatest ever racehorse, Frankel, and he's a big price judged on his two-length defeat to the reopposing Alyanaabi (7/2) over course and distance earlier this month.

Under Finley Marsh, the selection never troubled the winner but he was keeping on all the way until the line. Per a stable tour with Sporting Life last month, that was a prep for Saturday's assignment and with Oisin Murphy taking the reins, there mightn't be much at all separating the pair.

16:43 Haydock - Al Shababi @ 10/3

Haydock's card concludes with the Betfred "Bet Builder" Sankey Handicap - a mile-long 0-85 affair that's attracted 13 runners.

The one for me is AL SHABABI for Owen Burrows, one of my favourite trainers in the business.

His three-year-old colt debuted in a hot race at Kempton in October last year, won by the useful Hot Shott (rated 98) with La Botte, a subsequent winner at Newcastle before finishing fourth behind Irish 2000 Guineas runner-up Cosmic Year in Listed company at Newmarket earlier this month, in third.

The selection failed to immediately build on the promise shown at Lingfield, but his return after 166 days on the sidelines at Windsor last month was very pleasing.

He comfortably put away a couple of rivals rated in the mid 70s, giving the impression he's got a lot more in the locker.

On just his fourth-ever start and second of the season, off an opening mark of 82, he looks sure to run a big race under the fantastic William Buick.

17:05 Chester - Too Don Juan @ 4/1

The penultimate race at Chester on Saturday is a 1m2½f handicap for three-year-olds, which can go to TOO DON JUAN.

Ralph Beckett's thrice-raced Too Darn Hot gelding made a highly-encouraging reappearance at Epsom last month, finishing fourth of nine in a novice event over an extended mile.

That was a warm affair. The winner, Jackknife, was a good third behind Opera Ballo in a Listed race at Sandown on Thursday - the same afternoon The King's Falcon, third at Epsom, beat a useful rival at Carlisle.

The selection was a bit of an eye-catcher in Surrey, finding trouble in running after travelling stylishly throughout the race, despite early keenness. With more luck, I fancy he'd have definitely been third, if not challenging the front two.

On that evidence, his opening mark of 76 looks very fair. Hopefully it proves as much.

18:40 Lingfield - Shine On Me @ 5/1

Finally, a chance is taken on unraced two-year-old SHINE ON ME in this fillies' novice over five furlongs at Lingfield.

Archie Watson's daughter of Havana Grey, who fetched £160k after a breeze-up last month, makes certain appeal on paper, but it's the presence of James Doyle in the saddle that's caught my attention.

Wathnan Racing's retained rider goes to Surrey for the one ride, despite the fact Leovanni - whom he's partnered on all four starts of her career to date including her victory in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot - is at Haydock for the (Listed) Betfred "The Classic Bookmaker" Achilles Stakes. The ownership group also have the favourite in a £16k handicap on the card.

So, the fact James is at Lingfield for a mere £3.6k prize strongly suggests the selection is well above average. That's my take on it at least.

Watson excels with juveniles and although Charlie Appleby's Twilight Star sets a decent standard, it's far from an unrealistic one for this filly to achieve on debut if she's anywhere near as good as I'm hoping.

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