Saturday 6th July

Saturdays Picks

Usually on a saturday I would pick three horses and do a patent. However the three picks for today are short favourites and gradually shortening as the day goes on. So today I have decided to bite the bullet and simply go for a treble.

Al Kazeem - 3:50 Sandown Coral-Eclipse

Beating Camelot twice this year, impressively winning the Prince of Wales Stakes at Ascot when stretched well by Mukhadram. Should prove too good for rivals yet again and is an obvious pick for the day. As big as 3/1 in the early hours.

Albasarah - 2;55 Haydock Lancashire Oaks

Won well on first 3 starts only to finish a disappointing 5th behind Forgotten Voice at Ascot when boxed in, De Sousa pulled back and switched to the outside, Albasharah's turn of foot and speed from this point on is the reason this filly deserves a second chance.

Paris Rose - 3:25 Leicester 

Won well at Newmarket last week when I was there myself and was very impressed with the way she excelled and extended her lead. Same distance, ground and glass gives me the impression this filly will rein-act that performance.

One-To-Watch 

Auction - 3:15 Sandown

Progressed from last season, entering Ascot listed race on an unbeaten 2013 record. Upped in class and as big as 16/1 confidence seemed low. I myself had a small each way bet on Auction and sure enough the progressive form was confirmed with a 2nd (nk). Should run well again and at a relatively big price of 15/2.

Saturday 29th June

Jack Dexter - impressed last year with remarkable improvement, very respectable 4th at Ascot last week. Should improve again if dealing with a smaller field.

Ruler of the world - unbeaten in 3 rides, very impressive latest when winning the Derby at Epsom. Should prove best again against same rivals; Libertarian (2nd), Galileo Rock (3rd) and Festive Cheer (10th). Attempting a Derby double in Ireland today at a respectable price of 11/10.

Maarek - class horse who has brilliant season last year. Shows good speed as a sprinter and should be there or thereabouts today. 2013 form shows a good start when fresh, 5f form stronger than 6f with 2/4 runs. Only runs well on softer than good ground, if ground softens then this horse will have great chance.

Ascot 2013

Day 1 tips of the day - Toronado 5/1 & Tiger Cliff 4/1
Day 2 tips of the day - Gale Force Ten 9/2 & Dank 7/2
Day 3 tips of the day - Again Again Oh N/R & Estimate 7/2
Day 4 tips of the day - Albasarah 3/1 & Enroll 5/1
Day 5 tips of the day - Ektihaam 9/4

Toronado - 2nd
Tiger Cliff - 2nd
Gale Force Ten - 1st
Dank - 3rd
Again Again Oh - Non Runner
Estimate - 1st
Albasarah - 4th
Enroll - 21st
Ektihaam - unseated rider

Starting Up

From an early age I was introduced to horse racing by my dad; Andy Nixon. Popular destination of Newmarket was a regular day out every fortnight. The activity started out as a way of bonding with my father and enjoying time spent together, as my parents split from before I can remember. I was rationed £5 per race and usually ended up pocketing the cash to spend on video games at home. However one particular horse; Golden Dagger gave me a very tasty return for a blind bet at 14/1. This is where the passion began.

I'm now 18 and legally able to gamble myself. Family friends; Keith and Jean Smith own members badges for the Premiere enclosure at Newmarket and always take me and dad along for a cracking day out. The past four years I've been able to watch and learn how to pick horses.