Saturday 28th May 2011

It was certainly a day for the bookies at Newmarket yesterday with none of the favourites winning any of the 7 races. My tip Watch Amigo was disappointing in the 4:05, won by 20/1 shot Folly Bridge. However Powell's Picks didn't come out badly at all. Swiss Dream winning the 2:55 at a starting price of 9/1 gave my opening tips a big priced winner. With another exciting day of racing in store I've chosen three horses from across the Haydock and Newmarket cards, all with a chance of performing well.


Haydock 2:05
ACTIVATE
9/2 at Bet365
Activate has won here and at Yarmouth over 1m6f and this step up to 2m should suit him perfectly. The 4 year old finished last season on a high with back to back wins and is expected to enjoy this staying trip. Despite being 6lbs heavier than he was at Yarmouth he is unexposed at 2m or further and clearly likes the track having shown a strong display previously. Zuider Zee was impressive on his seasonal return three weeks ago but I am backing Activate to beat him today.


Haydock 3:05
FERDOOS
3/1 at various bookies
This impressive horse is making her handicap debut today on her first start of the season. Ferdoos won her first two starts and then ran well despite losing out by a nose to Pollys Mark last time out at Ascot. Pollys Mark is a non runner today and the 1m4f  trip and good to firm ground will suit Ferdoos. Punters will be tempted by Henry Cecil's unbeaten Vita Nova and Crystal Capella, despite his 7lb penalty, but for me Ferdoos is open to improvement and should run well this afternoon.


Newmarket 3:25
DESERT LAW
9/2 at William Hill and Bet365
The three year old Desert Law won a fair course and distance maiden in October, and like Ferdoos, is making his handicap debut today. Showed plenty of potential on his first two starts last season and this Irish colt is well respected today. Henry Candy's L'ami Louis is expected to go off as favourite and won last time out at Salisbury. But Desert Law comes from a very speedy family and has plenty of improvement to come.