Ted's Saturday selections: Nine sizzlers for your weekend racing

Ed 'Longshot Ted' Quigley has been amongst the winners lately, and is looking for more success as he serves up his best bets for the live ITV action on Saturday...

Ascot - 1.35 Manaccan e/w

(9/1 Coral)

This 5f assignment has a wide-open look to it as you would expect, and I am going to take the chance that the experienced MANACCAN can get back in the groove now returning to a track in which he has had success in the past. 

He hasn't looked the force of old in recent times as he is on the comeback trail after a long absence, but the flipside of that is that he has plummeted down the weights, and is now down to a mark of 100, leaving him looking dangerously well treated. 

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With two course and distance wins from just four visits, he has some smart form to his name at the Berkshire venue, and a revival cannot be ruled out here.

Ascot - 2.10 Dancing In Paris

(9/2 Betway)

DANCING IN PARIS is yet to win over this far, but is also lightly-raced at 2m, and recent evidence suggests that he will be really suited by it. 

He was beaten narrowly over 2m in the Northumberland Plate, and then hasn't necessarily been suited by tactical affairs over shorter distances. 

The 5-year-old stayed on well to finish runner-up over 1m6f last time out, giving the distinct impression that a return to a greater test of stamina would really suit. 

The Ian Williams team have been amongst the winners recently, and Dancing In Paris looks to have leading claims returning to a venue in which he has had success at in the past.

Haydock - 2.25 Shuwari

(11/4 Betfred)

If SHUWARI brings her 2023 form to the table, then the opposition will be in for a tough day at the office. A Listed winner two years ago, she then went on to finish runner-up at Group 2 and Group 1 level, which is a level of form her rivals struggle to match. 

She did however, have 533 days off the track prior to her comeback at Kempton on the all-weather in March where she finished sixth. 

The Ollie Sangster team are in cracking form, and this looks a golden opportunity to show that the old fires still burn for the daughter of New Bay. She is the class angle in this encounter, and official ratings suggest she has a bit in hand. 

Ascot - 2.45 Insanity e/w

(8/1 Ladbrokes)

I am looking for lightning to strike twice, and last year's winner INSANITY has an opportunity to land the spoils once again. 

The 5-year-old enjoys the track, and will be well suited by the demands of this contest, and the prospect of quick ground should pose no issue for the Alan King trained representative. 

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He is 5lb higher than last year, but arguably this race is weaker on paper as there are quite a few out of sorts individuals in the line-up this time around. 

Joanna Mason has been booked for the ride, and this combination look to have a cracking chance of making it back to back wins in this encounter for the unexposed Insanity. 

Haydock - 3.00 Haatem

(10/3 Coral)

This is a belter of a race, and a strong case can be made for at least half of the field. I think the return to 10f is the salient point in regards to the chances of the Richard Hannon trained HAATEM. 

Connections had suggested that a step up to 10f was required prior to Royal Ascot, and so it proved as he got the job done in the Wolferton Stakes. 

Last time out, he dropped back in trip for the Summer Mile, and looked tapped for toe in what developed into a bit of a sprint for home. 

There was too much emphasis on speed on that occasion, and he can show his true colours once more over this extended 10f. James Doyle is in the saddle for Wathnan Racing, and a return to winning ways would be far from a shock in this Group 3 encounter.

Ascot - 3.20 Flash Harry

(8/1 Betway)

I think FLASH HARRY is the each-way angle here for the Clive Cox team. The gelding has only had the three starts, winning his second race, and is open to any amount of improvement. 

There was an upset when he was beaten as a 1/3f last time out, but that was over the minimum trip at Bath, where it all looked to be happening too quickly for him. 

The return to 6f is  a massive tick in the box, and whilst he may lack the experience of a few of his rivals in against him here, the counterpoint is that he could easily have a few pounds up his sleeve, as I am sure we are yet to see the ceiling of his ability and he looks the value play.

Newmarket - 3.40 Sapphire Steps e/w

(8/1 Betfred)

We have a host of exciting Fillies in action for the Sweet Solera with many unknown quantities looking to enhance their credentials. 

I am going to give the tentative nod to the once-raced SAPPHIRE STEPS, who won her only start in a Newbury Maiden, and brings the 'could be anything' factor to proceedings. 

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She was weak in the market ahead of her debut last month, and sent off 14/1, perhaps a great deal wasn't expected. However, she tanked through the race, and quickened up smartly to take lengths out of the opposition. 

Sapphire Steps looked a bit green and inexperienced once she hit the front, which was perfectly understandable considering the lack of match practice. This daughter of Dark Angel should have more to offer and rates an exciting prospect for the Richard Hannon and Sean Levey combination. 

Ascot - 3.55 Tenability

(6/4 Coral)

William Haggas continues to have his string in fine fettle, as he has been operating at around a 30% strike-rate for the last fortnight, and the hattrick seeking TENABILITY looks to have every chance of making it three wins on the spin. 

The lightly-raced sort has improved for the application of a tongue-tie, and looked a class act when stepping up to 1m4f for the first time on Handicap debut over course and distance last time out, making a mockery of a mark of 81. 

He has been hit with a 7lb hike in the weights, but that looks more than justified, and there should be plenty more to come off his revised mark. Drying underfoot conditions look perfect for him and he could take a lot of beating here.

Ascot - 4.30 Miss Information

(4/1 Ladbrokes)

I am going to take a chance with the Andrew Balding trained MISS INFORMATION getting back to form, as the filly returns to a venue she excels at. 

She landed the Kensington Palace Stakes over course and distance at this year's Royal meeting, where she appeared to really enjoy the step in distance to 1m and she stayed on stoutly to land the odds. 

Last time out she was slowly away, and looked unsuited and tapped for toe when dropping back to 7f at Newmarket, so naturally a return to this scenario looks much more suitable for the 4-year-old who is two from three at the track. The Andrew Balding team are in good heart, and a bold show can be expected. 

Weekend Wager’s: 

Ascot -  1.35 Manaccan e/w (9/1 Coral)

Ascot -  2.10 Dancing In Paris (9/2 Betway)

Haydock -  2.25 Shuwari  (11/4 Betfred)

Ascot -  2.45 Insanity e/w (8/1 Ladbrokes)

Haydock - 3.00 Haatem (10/3 Coral)

Ascot -  3.20 Flash Harry (8/1 Betway)

Newmarket -  3.40 Sapphire Steps e/w (8/1 Betfred)

Ascot -  3.55 Tenability (6/4 Coral)

Ascot -  4.30 Miss Information (4/1 Ladbrokes)

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Odds correct at the time of writing.