Saturday Racing Tips: Owen’s best bets from Haydock, York and Salisbury

The big race on Saturday is the Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh, but there's classy cards from Haydock, Goodwood and York, plus another four across the country.

My Saturday racing tips comprises of five selections from three meetings, including one at the very end of Salisbury's evening affair. Hopefully the wait proves worthwhile.

15:30 Haydock - Jm Jungle each way @ 8/1

One of the main events on Saturday is the Temple Stakes at Haydock. A Group 2 for three-year-olds and above, over the minimum trip of five furlongs.

Australian sprinter Asfoora, now under the care of Lemos De Souza in Newmarket, is the star attraction, but she was extremely disappointing at Newmarket earlier in the month and I'm keen to oppose her.

Night Raider, victorious at HQ, ought to go well again, but a chance is taken on JM JUNGLE each way.

John & Sean Quinn's six-year-old, a course-and-distance winner, was fourth at Newmarket, within five lengths of the aforementioned Karl Burke winner, and he should be capable of closing that gap with a run under his belt.

He seems to be getting better with age and I think he's a great price in this Extra Place Race, with Betfred offering 4 places instead of 3.

15:50 York - Moscow Power each way @ 7/1

Next up is another Extra Place Race, from York. Twenty two runners go to post for three-year-old handicap over seven furlongs on the Knavesmire, and Betfred are paying 5 places instead of 4.

Taking advantage of that, I suggest an each-way play on MOSCOW POWER for Michael Appleby.

The lightly-raced son of Sergei Prokofiev was gelded after two modest efforts at two, reappearing at Chelmsford this March with a two-and-a-quarter-length success over The Untamed, who won his next two starts for Richard Hannon to earn an opening mark of 85.

On that evidence, the selection looks well-handicapped off 78, so it's no surprise he was sent off favourite for a 19-runner handicap at Ascot on his subsequent start earlier this month.

He finished third, just over three lengths off the pace, which under the circumstances was a fine effort. He switched all the way out to the far rail from stall 6 after leaving the gates, and made eye-catching headway when push came to shove.

Moscow Power shaped like he'll enjoy the extra furlong he gets on Saturday, in what looks an easier race to my eye. I like his chances a lot.

16:40 Haydock - Noble Vow @ 2/1

Back to Merseyside we go for another sprint - a 0-80 handicap over five furlongs.

Richard Hannon saddles three-year-old No Nay Never colt NOBLE VOW, who competes off an unchanged mark of 75 after bolting up at Bath exactly 11 days ago.

I don't believe he beat a total dud in Queen Sana in Somerset, but clearly the handicapper does. I suspect he'll be proven otherwise.

Noble Vow appeared to love stepping back in trip and although I'd prefer quicker ground for him, he ought to build on that win and go very close on just his second attempt in a handicap.

19:45 Salisbury - Mojito @ 10/3

Hannon can get on the board again at Salisbury in the evening, courtesy of MOJITO in this 0-75 handicap over seven furlongs.

The three-year-old daughter of Palace Pier went in on seasonal reappearance at Doncaster last month, after earning an opening mark of 65 for a trio of modest runs in maiden company at two.

She did it easily at Donny, by two-and-a-half lengths from a Harry Charlton-trained son of Lope Y Fernandez who bolted up by six lengths on his subsequent start.

Mojito appeals as the type who could continue her progression through the handicap ranks, defying a six-pound rise as she steps up in class on Saturday.

20:45 Salisbury - Shayhana @ 9/4

An hour later in Wiltshire, Owen Burrows wastes no time in sending his four-year-old Frankel filly SHAYHANA into handicap company off a generous-looking opening mark of 76.

She earned that after finishing second in a three-runner affair at Lingfield back in November, and for winning a stronger contest at Wolverhampton last month.

In the West Midlands, she beat Andrew Balding's 75-rated Littlecote, who was 15 lengths clear of the rest of the field. She's a solid yardstick, likely to be around 78, if not higher, once reassessed.

So, on that evidence, the twice-raced Shayhana could have a bit in hand off her rating, with improvement extremely likely. She looks a great bet.

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