ITV Saturday Chester, Sandown And York Preview

The first contest on the ITV screens on Saturday comes from Chester in the Class 3 Handicap over five furlongs and the horse that takes the eye is Virginia Plane for John Quinn.

The three year old daughter of Mehmas, unlike many from the sire struggled as a juvenile but this term has turned into a different horse.

Virginia Plane was seen finishing second at Ripon on good to firm ground on debut and then managed to get off the mark at Lingfield on the all weather.

Last time out the filly was a decent third at Goodwood on soft ground and now getting back to a quicker surface from a plum draw can see her go well.

The first race of the day from York on ITV is the Queen Mother's Cup Class 3 Handicap over 1m3 1/2f and we have sided with the super stayer Byron Flyer.

The gelding has seen it all during his career being tried over hurdles, fences and the flat and even at the age of 10 he still retains some big ability.

Byron Flyer has been seen in these sorts of races many times, winning and placing off much higher marks and although throwing in some bad performances, two starts ago he showed he still holds enthusiasm.

At Sandown in April he was seen finishing a good second in a decent handicap hurdle and last time out back on the flat in the Chester Vase he backed that up with a close up sixth.

He is down 2lb from that run and now with the visor back on he looks an attractive each way bet.

The feature race of the day at Sandown on Saturday is the Listed Scurry Stakes over five furlongs and we can't look past the favourite Atalis Bay.

The Marco Botti trained colt has been a very consistent horse for the yard, landing a hat-trick as a juvenile last season over both 5/6f and on both turf and the all weather.

This term the son of Cable Bay has turned his form up a notch by winning well on seasonal debut at Nottingham on god to firm ground, with the third placed horse since going on to win.

Last time over 5f at York he stepped up to Listed company for the Westow Stakes and he finished a superb second behind the exciting Winter Power for Tim Easterby.

That looks by far the best form in the race and if improving again will be tough to beat.

An exciting runner at York on Saturday comes in the JCB Handicap over seven furlongs and Gifted Ruler For Tom Dascombe could turn out to be a lovely horse.

The four year old has been off the track for close to a year, but as a three year old last term he showed bundles of ability that could see him kick on this term.

Having been a fair juvenile, he was only seen twice as a three year old, needing his debut at Lingfield but when last seen he was a superb second behind the expensive Boccaccio for Godolphin over 7f at Newmarket.

That run came on good to firm ground and getting similar conditions here, if fully tuned up he looks a big player off 1lb lower than his last run.

The Class 2 Handicap over a mile looks a very hot contest and the horse that takes the eye is the Simon & Ed Crisford trained Latest Generation.

The three year old has been seen four times during his career finishing third on debut back in August over 7f at Sandown, finishing in behind the likes of One Ruler and Maximal.

He then got off the mark at Doncaster when stepped up to a mile in a decent Maiden Stakes, but when trying to mix it with the big boys in the Group Three Autumn Stakes at Newmarket he ran no race at all.

Back for his three year old campaign this term, the son of Frankel was thrown into a tough Conditions Stakes and although only beating one home he finished in behind the likes of Derby third Hurricane lane, smart rival Maximal and the exciting Tasman Bay.

He looks feasibly treated off a mark of 93 for his handicap debut and now in this sphere can shine.

The feature race of the day is the Listed Ebor Grand Cup Stakes at York over a marathon trip and Makawee for David O'Meara has plenty going in her favour.

The six year old mare has been highly consistent for the yard, especially this season, running two very credible events ver staying trips and the drying ground will only suit her on Saturday.

She started the term off at Goodwood in a small runner Listed event over 1m4f and was nabbed on the line by the smart Alpinista.

The daughter of Farhh then went on to finish third last time out in a Group Three over todays course and distance and distance and having not been beaten that far she should go well again dropping down in class on quicker ground.

The last event on the show from Chester sees the Class 2 Handicap over 1m4f and Man Of Riddles for David Simcock looks an interesting horse.

The three year old has only been seen twice to date with both his runs coming this season and he started off at Wolverhampton over 12f, winning nicely.

He was then given his turf debut at Goodwood on soft ground and he did not handle the ground at all, which suggests that this quicker ground could suit.

One to watch.

The Class 2 Memorial Handicap over six furlongs sees a big field head to post and we believe to have found the winner with the William Haggas trained Skyrunner looking to land a hat-trick.

The 190,000gns purchase as a yearling is thought of very highly from the yard, racing once as a juvenile on heavy at Newbury over 6.5 furlongs and she finished a good third behind Statement, who went on to run well in the 1000 Guineas.

Saved for this term the son of Invincible Spirit made his seasonal debut at Doncaster over 7f and was smart winner, showing pace and stamina.

He then went on soft ground stepping up to a mile in a Novice Stakes last time out at Pontefract and was an emphatic seven length winner.

Skyrunner makes his handicap debut today in this big field off a mark of 89 and if improving again could be well in off this current mark and looks a nice each way bet.