Saturday's Horse Racing Tips: James Boyle's Best Bets at Ascot & York

For today's horse racing tips, our analyst James Boyle looks at the flat racing at Ascot and York, with three selections now online.

As always, you’ll find the most up-to-date odds at the best horse racing betting sites, but our tipster’s predictions are researched early in the day and those prices could soon change. Odds stated are correct at the time of publishing.

13:55 Ascot – Adrestia – 1pt @ 12/1

I would imagine the Crisford team had Adrestia pencilled in for this a long way out and there’s every chance we’re going to get to see her true worth again today.

That definitely wasn’t on show at Redcar last time, where she was a huge drifter in a race she should have been a contender in. Her race was lost at the start that day, however, with the rider taking a couple of attempts to get the blindfold off. It’s not a run to pay any attention to.

Prior to that, I thought she shaped up well at Windsor on her return when fitness wasn’t on her side. There was enough in the performance to suggest she was getting close to form again and she’s getting the chance to race off 3lb lower now, which is undoubtedly a help.

She has Ascot previous on her slate as well, coming home strongly when winning the 5f handicap for three-year-olds last season, and a return to that level, or her subsequent Goodwood second, puts her among the leading contenders for this from a ratings standpoint.

One potential sticking point worth noting is the draw, as she’s in the second lowest gate. I’m not sure whether that’s going to put her in the right place but there’s possible pace in 3, 5 and 7, and hopefully she’ll land in a position she can work from. Either way, it’s factored into the price. 

14:39 York – Apiarist – 1.50pts @ 17/2

Apiarist has a running style that means it doesn’t take much going wrong in order to see his claims limited but this looks like the right sort of race for him to make an impact in.

Back on turf in the Thirsk Hunt Cup, he was a serious eyecatcher when flashing home after his path was blocked off on the rail. That was also after having to be dropped right out from the widest stall and he did remarkably well to finish off as strongly as he did.

Connections had a second tilt at the Buckingham Palace afterwards and, again, he would have been closer with a proper run through. Despite the finishing position, I think it’s proof that he remains in good form and despite this also being a 0-105, it’s an easier assignment.

Going up to a mile again will do no harm, he has York form in the book and won’t mind whether they go hard early or set it up to quicken. Getting him to relax will be the most important element but if he finds a nice rhythm, I think he’ll be in the firing line late on.

17:30 York – Alpha Magic – 1pt @ 50/1

Alpha Magic has been on my radar for a while and I backed him on his penultimate start when he raced over the minimum trip for the first time, during which he shaped really well.

Luck in-running didn’t come his way, some of the others cutting off the paths he was needing to move into. He wasn’t given an overly hard time of things after but kept on well to pass beaten horses, and would have finished closer to the principals had all things been equal on the day.

What he produced on his sole run since was less encouraging, finishing last when upped to 6f again at Windsor, and there are no obvious excuses. However, it was a 0-90, as was the Hamilton run before, and now he’s getting the opportunity to take on some lesser performers.

That could help to spark him into life and travelling away off a solid gallop on a speed track may suit him. Being realistic, there’s more chance of Windsor being repeated than him actually winning this, but I can’t let him go unbacked as if he returned to his best, he would be a player.