Horse Racing Tips: Capitaine of interest on rules return

There’s a total of seven meetings scheduled across Britain and Ireland on Saturday, with Ascot’s Champions Day card, which features five Group 1s and over £4m in prize money, the obvious highlight. The action kicks off significantly earlier than normal with the first of Catterick’s seven races due off at 11:00 before Ascot (12:55), Stratford (13:15), Limerick (13:45), Leopardstown (14:10) and Newton Abbot (14:15) and Wolverhampton (16:59).

Amongst my Saturday Horse Racing Tips is one for trainer Aidan O’Brien in the last at Leopardstown, his filly starting out in handicaps off a potentially lenient mark.

12:55 Ascot - Trawlerman @ 8/15

Backing short-priced favourites can be a risky strategy, but TRAWLERMAN looks banker material in the opening Group 1 Long Distance Cup at Ascot, the John and Thady Gosden-trained seven-year-old comfortably clear on ratings and very likely the best stayer around in Europe at present.

He beat the mighty Kyprios in this very race in 2023 (a Group 2 at the time) and slammed Illinois by seven lengths in the Ascot Gold Cup in the summer.

He’s looked better than ever this year, running to Racing Post Ratings of 120, 121 and 123 on his last three starts, and has already beaten Sweet William on two occasions.

Three-year-old Stay True is interesting, though stamina on this stiff track isn’t assured.

16:15 Newton Abbot - El Capitaine @ 6/1

Seven-year-old EL CAPITAINE has been an unstoppable force in points and looks on a handy mark for his return to the professional ranks.

He’s a maiden under rules from eight starts, but more than hinted at ability in his native Ireland for Tom Dreaper, including when running to a Racing Post Rating of 118 over hurdles at Leopardstown in December 2022.

That was clearly some time ago, though he’s done particularly well over the past year, winning seven of his eight point outings for Joshua Newman from 2m5f to 3m.

He’s now in the care of Kayley Woollacott, and a big run looks on the cards with Harry Cobden booked.

17:20 Leopardstown - River Ara @ 2/1

RIVER ARA, who holds an entry in next season’s Irish 1,000 Guineas, remains some way short of her full potential, but there have been some encouraging signs in her last two outings, and she’ll surely be up to making her presence felt off an opening mark of 85.

The selection was never involved on her debut over 7f here in July, but she’s made good progress since, finishing placed in two runs at Cork, the latest over this distance of a mile last month.

It’s possible that middle distances will be required next season, but she has already shown enough over this trip and shorter to make her of major interest off this rating.

There’s a bit of rain forecast in the area of the racecourse on Saturday morning, and, given her best effort came on soft ground, that will only strengthen her claims.

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