Six key stats to help you beat the bookies on Saturday

There are six meetings on Saturday with Cheltenham offering the headline action on Festival Trials day. Uttoxeter, Doncaster, Fairyhouse, Lingfield and Kempton also host meetings and here are statistics from each track which could help your punting . . .

Cheltenham

Ryan Mania has ridden seven winners from 14 rides in 2023. That impressive 50 per cent strike-rate has yielded a level-stakes profit of £30.66. 

The Grand National-winning jockey has also had two winners from his last seven rides at Cheltenham - along with a second and a third. His only ride at the track on Saturday is War Soldier in the Grade 2 Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (3.35). 

War Soldier comes into this race seeking a hat-trick following wins at Newcastle and Haydock. He should benefit from stepping up in trip and holds interesting each-way claims.

War Soldier11:41 Cheltenham

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Jky: Tnr:

Uttoxeter

Harry Fry has trained 20 winners from his 78 runners at Uttoxeter in the last five seasons - a 26 per cent strike-rate that has produced a level-stakes profit of £17.23.

His sole runner on Saturday’s card is Fortunes Melody, who tackles the mares’ handicap chase (1.57). She finished third behind smart mares at Wincanton last time out and now drops into 0-130 company.

Jockey Ben Bromley claims a handy 7lb, and he was aboard when Fortunes Melody claimed a handicap hurdle at Uttoxeter in September - she is now only 3lb above that winning mark.

Fortunes Melody11:41 Uttoxeter

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Jky: Tnr:

Doncaster

Nick Kent has been a trainer to follow at Doncaster in the last five years. Ten of his 15 runners at the track have finished in the first three - with four winning.

His only representative on Saturday is Gilbertina, who runs in the 2m3½f handicap hurdle (12.55).

Gilbertina defied a 297-day absence and odds of 40-1 to score at Market Rasen on Boxing Day. She has gone up only 3lb for that success, and the booking of top jockey Brian Hughes - who has ridden one winner from just two rides for Kent - can be viewed positively.

Gilbertina11:41 Doncaster

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Jky: Tnr:

Fairyhouse

Cian Quirke is enjoying a terrific run of form in the saddle. The claimer has had five winners from his 16 rides in the past fortnight, that 31 per cent strike-rate yielding a £25 level-stakes profit. He aims to keep the run going with three rides on Fairyhouse’s Saturday card. 

Quirke and trainer Michael Bowe combined for a 10-1 winner on Wednesday, and they team up with Halsafari in the 2m1f handicap chase (1.01) - who arrives in form but is now three years without a win.

The five-year-old Roccabaker looks unlikely to threaten in the 2m4½f maiden hurdle (3.21), but Waittillitellyou holds strong claims for Cian Quirke in the following 3m handicap hurdle (3.56). He made a promising seasonal debut at Limerick last month and now tackles three miles for the first time, which is likely to suit.

Cian Quirke’s rides at Fairyhouse:

1.01 Halsafari

3.21 Roccabaker

3.56 Waittillitellyou

Lingfield

Charlie Hills has sent out five winners from his last six runners, including 18-1 outsider May Sonic at Southwell on Tuesday.

He bids to keep this streak going with Geralt Of Rivia in the 7f handicap (1.08) at Lingfield on Saturday. This El Kabeir colt is yet to break his maiden tag but found only well handicapped 1-5 favourite Huberts Dream too strong here last month.

That run came over six furlongs, and being out of a mile turf winner in Wojha, tackling seven furlongs for the first time on Saturday is bred to suit.

Geralt Of Rivia11:41 Lingfield (A.W)

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Jky: Tnr:

Kempton

Harry Eustace has sent out a total of 38 winners, and his five at Kempton is the most at any individual course. Backing his horses blind at the track has yielded a level-stakes profit of £9.71.

The Newmarket trainer sends Ziggy to Kempton on Saturday evening. This five-year-old comes into the 1m3f handicap (7.30) in good form, winning two of his last four starts - including a 1m4f handicap at Kempton in November.

Ziggy raced on unfavourable terms in a 1m2f conditions race at Newcastle last time out but still managed to finish second. Stepping up a furlong will suit, and he returns to handicaps with his mark untouched, so must stand strong claims of notching a fourth career win.

Ziggy11:41 Kempton (A.W)

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Jky: Tnr:

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