Saturday Horse Racing Predictions by Stephen Harris at Newmarket and Thirsk

Andrew Balding’s scopey three-year-old has shaped well twice on the all-weather this spring (despite taking a keen grip initially off a steady gallop in small fields) and remains open to plenty of improvement now upped in trip to 1m2f (from a potentially lenient mark on the pick of last season's efforts).

The yard has been in blistering form in the last fortnight, with 13 winners at a 22pc strike rate, and the eye-catching booking of Hollie Doyle increases confidence that this strapping colt will settle better in the early stages.

Richard Spencer’s horses are now well handicapped after a very quiet time of things over the winter months on the all-weather, and recent signs are more encouraging (a well backed winner in the last fortnight and all others running with promise).

This speedy sprinter has slipped gradually down the weights and could be worth chancing at a double figure price at Thirsk on Saturday. He seems sure to be primed first time out with Jason Hart an encouraging booking, and the fast ground is expected to suit ideally from a very exploitable eased mark.

Amy Murphy’s unexposed handicapper caught the eye on his first start after a wind-operation at Yarmouth last month, rushed up mid-race and not quite getting home in a creditable fifth (in slightly stronger company).

He has a flyweight to carry here upped to six furlongs and remains unexposed on the turf after just seven career starts. Hollie Doyle is in the plate for the first time, and the relatively small yard has encouragingly had two well supported winners this week.