Nap of the day: best horse racing tips for the day's seven meetings
Saturday's best bets from the Racing Post's unbeatable Spotlights team
Newmarket
4.25: Balgair
Mercurius Power is sure to be a popular option on the back of his good sequence of form and with Simon Walker snapped up by Andrew Balding, but don't dismiss Balgair off the very same mark as when winning this last year. His final run in late June may have been poor, but not his previous one at Redcar when he was unlucky not to be seriously involved in one of that track's feature handicaps. First Dance and Luna Magic are others for the shortlist.
Alistair Jones
Newbury
2.15: Hurricane Ivor
This may be fought out by the two winners from Doncaster last week. Khaadem proved well suited by dropping to 5f for his success and may still have more to offer over this trip, but he faces a very tough rival in Hurricane Ivor, whose Portland win was richly deserved. The Haggas-trained four-year-old should take this rise in grade in his stride. King's Lynn and Tis Marvellous complete the shortlist.
Richard O'Brien
Naps table: daily tipping selections from national newspaper experts
Navan
1.45: Apple Crumble
Excellent each-way credentials given not that many look to have a realistic chance. Apple Crumble looked a mare on the up at Kilbeggan and appeals plenty each-way at the chief expense of Ashqar and Rock On Seamie.
Johnny Ward
Ayr
2.30: Bickerstaffe
Blackrod is the obvious starting point, with his trainer a dab hand with this type, and he escapes a penalty for his York win last month which was a cracking effort given that the drop to 5f looked against him. He's high on the shortlist but he's not the only unexposed three-year-old his owner runs and Bickerstaffe may be the answer. Things didn't go his way at Goodwood last time but his previous Ascot win was impressive and there should be more improvement to come. Blinkers could benefit Royal Scimitar for whom it will all click one day, while at bigger odds don't be surprised to see Music Society or Soldier's Minute make an impact.
Paul Smith
Gowran Park
1.35: History
Having finished runner-up to last weekend's Listed winner Panama Red at Tipperary last time, History has the strongest form on offer, though her stablemate The Algarve could improve plenty from her debut. There is more to come from True Horizon, while Isotta, Clemmie C and Willamette Valley are the most interesting newcomers.
Tyrone Molloy
Catterick
2.25: My Little Tip
Although Tricky Business is respected dropping back in distance in a first-time visor, the top two in the weights boast the most solid credentials. Neptune Legend chased home a progressive, in-form rival last time and looks sure to go well, but My Little Tip can complete his hat-trick. Another penalty for the colt is almost negated by Saffie Osborne's 5lb claim.
Keith McHugh
Wolverhampton
8.30: Merlin's Beard
The Richard Hughes-trained three-year-old Merlin's Beard has made rapid progress in recent weeks and can defy the penalty he shoulders for landing a pretty good prize at Bath on Sunday. Nicks Not Wonder also comes here after a recent Bath win and is feared most.
Chris Wilson
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More free tipping:
Graeme Rodway's banker at Ayr on Saturday
The Punt Daily: Tom Collins' free horse racing tips on Saturday afternoon
Saturday's free racing tips: six horses to consider putting in your multiples
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