Our best bets for Saturday, including big-race Glorious Goodwood selections plus football and rugby league tips.
Simon Holt - Crystal Ocean 2.25 Goodwood
"Crystal Ocean is given another chance to fulfil his undoubted potential in the Group Three Qatar Gordon Stakes despite being narrowly held by Khalidi on their running behind Permian in the King Edward VII Stakes at the Royal meeting. I was very keen on Sir Michael Stoute's colt for that race and felt a bit disappointed afterwards but, in retrospect, ground conditions were probably a bit quick for him, certainly compared to his earlier eye-catching third behind Permian and Benbatl on good to soft going in the Dante Stakes at York on just his third career start."
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Ben Linfoot - Al Qahwa 3.35 Goodwood
"One I like in the Stewards' Cup is David O’Meara’s AL QAHWA from stall nine. He’s fine on good to soft if it does dry out a bit as his excellent effort in defeat in the Sky Bet Dash last time proves. Beaten a couple of lengths in second by the pacey Flying Pursuit, he did best of those to race in the centre of the track and he was clear of the rest off Saturday’s mark of 97. If the ground remains hard work even better, as he loved the soft conditions when winning at York on his stable debut and I like that his best form has come at that track as it’s a pretty quick six on the Knavesmire. Goodwood should suit and I expect him to race prominently among the far side pace. It could well be the place to be and, if it is, he still looks well-handicapped enough to play a massive part."
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Nick Hext - Aston Villa to win to nil in the Sky Bet Championship
"The Steve Bruce derby takes centre stage on Saturday evening as the current Aston Villa boss sees his side tackle his previous employers Hull. John Terry will make his first Sky Bet Championship start for Villa and the former Chelsea captain has received glowing references at the start of his time in the Midlands. Glenn Whelan is another new signing set to make a big difference for the hosts in this game and I can't see Hull returning to the Championship with a three-point haul. I've tipped the Tigers for a tough season in my team-by-team guide to the new EFL season and over 2/1 for Villa to win to nil is worth an interest. That would be a cracking start to life at Villa Park for Terry."
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Ian Millward - Catalans (-20) v London in Super League
"The Dragons lost their last three in Super League but should be dominant here. They have the ability to score points and that will hurt the visitors. Catalan were the most penalised team in the competition prior to the split but with a big, dominant pack I don’t think it will be an issue here. They look set to be too big and too quick on a dry track and should win well."
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