Oli Bell best bets for Saturday's TV action

After the desperately sad news that came from Haydock regarding the passing of stalls handler Stephen Yarborough it really does put everything into perspective and makes the task of finding winners seem completely futile. 

This Saturday there is another weekend full of racing live on ITV but everyone's thoughts in the racing community will be with Stephen's family, friends and colleagues at this terrible time. 

This week the action comes from Newbury, Market Rasen and Newmarket

I’ll be presenting the afternoon’s coverage on ITV3 from 1.30-4pm and will be joined by Hayley Turner, Luke Harvey, Mick Fitzgerald, Sally Ann Grassick and Matt Chapman.

As always, The Opening Show gets proceedings underway. Matt takes the reins on ITV4 at 10am and is joined in the studio by Oisin Murphy.

Last week’s column threw up a few winners, so hopefully you were on some of those selections and with any luck we can have more of the same this Saturday!

Take a look at who I will be backing this time around…

1350 Newbury, The Bathwick Tyres Handicap Stakes, 7f

Johnny Barnes is looking quite a big price. I thought he would have won more races by now because I believe he’s a talented horse.

When he started his career, he won two of his first three starts but has subsequently only won one from 13.

Maybe the five-year-old has found his level, but I think the handicapper is letting up and back in handicap company he will run well.

Johnny Barnes is one of two John Gosden horses in the race and his value in the market is what swings it for me.

Remarkable’s most recent run iat Ascot was good, but is he miles clear of the likes of Johnny Barnes, Early Morning and the other horses at 8/1 and above? I’m not convinced he is.

He finished last at Epsom in early June and was midfield in the Victoria Cup. Does Remarkable stand out? You could argue not and I’d look for one at a bigger price.

1410 Market Rasen, The Betfred TV Summer Handicap Hurdle, 2m 148y

I think Kapstadt can go close in this. He’s a talented horse and has put in some impressive performances on both the Flat and over obstacles. It’s a competitive race, but Ian Williams’ seven-year-old will go well. 

However, my main selection in the 2.10 is Curious Carlos, with jockey James Bowen taking off 10lbs for trainer and father Peter. 

This is basically like bearing down on an open goal for punters. James won’t be a 10lbs claimer for long and we need to make the most of opportunities like these when they come our way. 

For all Curious Carlos has to reverse form with Mad Jack Mytton, I just think he’s got the pull of the weights and will be able to capitalise based on that.

1425 Newbury, The Bet365 Steventon Stakes, 1m 2f

Best Of Days will win this one I think. My issue with the favourite Spark Plug is that he won’t get a strong pace to aim at.

Admittedly, my choice will need to put a poor run behind him when last in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, but I think he will be suited by how the race will unfold.

The Godolphin three-year-old is dropping down in class as well. While connections had pretentions of this horse being quite good at the start of the year, Saturday will be about getting back on track and this has been identified as a good opportunity for him to do that.

1420 Newmarket, The Betbright Aphrodite Stakes, 1m 4f

I’m going to give Skiffle another chance in our only visit to Newmarket this weekend, with handler Charlie Appleby and jockey William Buick on a brilliant run at the moment.

She finished lame 11 weeks ago at the same course on her comeback in the Charm Spirit Dahlia Stakes.

Skiffle was fifth in last year’s Investec Oaks behind Minding and I think, in terms of talent, on her day, she’s arguably the best filly in this race.

She does have points to prove but that’s why she’s at 8/1 rather than favourite and I'm prepared to take a tentative chance with her again.

1500 Newbury, The Bet365 Hackwood Stakes, 6f

Magical Memory would have been my bet of the day but there is a bit of rain in the area and that would dampen my enthusiasm however I still think his class will out. It’s maybe an obvious choice, with the five-year-old also heading the market, but I think he’s comfortably the best horse in the race.

He got back on track at Haydock Park last time out when taking the Bet365 Conditions Stakes earlier this month and I see no reason to look any further on Saturday.

It’s not a particularly leftfield selection but Magical Memory is better than his rivals and is essentially a Group One sprinter back in Group Three company.

1520 Market Rasen, The Betfred Summer Plate Handicap Steeplechase, 2m 5f

I like the look of both Casino Markets and Newton Geronimo at big prices. It’s a very competitive race and you can make a cause for pretty much all of them, to be honest.

However, the form from last year of Emma Lavelle’s Casino Markets is pretty consistent. He was third behind rival Henryville at Cheltenham’s April meeting and then third behind Shantou Village at Sandown that same month.

He always runs his race and in this very keenly-matched contest you can almost guarantee that he will be there or thereabouts.

We haven’t seen him since April so you have to take fitness on trust, but I think the nine-year-old will go close.

Newton Geronimo is a pretty game and honest horse. He didn’t jump that well at Worcester, but if he can improve in that department then I believe he’ll outrun his odds.

1535  Newbury, The Weatherbys Super Sprint Stakes, 5f 34y (Sky Bet paying SIX places)

There are two horses who have caught the eye in this one, with Debutante’s Ball – fifth in a French Group Three last time out – for Stan Moore the first.

Because of the conditions of this race, you get a disparity in talent between a few of the entries. If you have got horses that have got proven form, it’s not the worse idea to follow them.

Obviously Maggies Angel was a runner-up in the listed Betway Empress Fillies’ Stakes at Newmarket at the start of the month and that is excellent form.

But Debutante’s Ball didn’t run that badly in the Prix Du Bois at Deauville and goes in off a very low weight. I can see that horse running a pretty good race.

I can also see Connery performing well, having ran twice in Group and listed company either side of victory at Bath less than three weeks ago.

He wasn’t exactly a lost cause at Sandown behind Havana Grey in the Allied World Dragon Stakes last time out and that form is very good when you look at the winner and Roussel in second. Connery at a massive price could serve up a surprise.