Expert horse racing betting tips for Saturday, October 4th 2025

Newmarket's Sun Chariot Stakes tops the bill on a busy Saturday of horse racing on British shores, with cards from Ascot and Redcar also offering up plenty to ponder for our seasoned horse racing tipsters.

Our Punters Panel are here once again to answer the big questions and deliver their expert insights and horse racing betting tips.

Introducing the Odds Now Horse Racing Punters Panel

Before we get stuck in, here’s a little bit more on the four men answering our key questions this week:

SD - The self-proclaimed ‘star of the show’ on Races Now, who has been going viral with his daily tips and betting ring analysis over the past year.

Adam Smith - A betting industry veteran, flat lover and one half of our Races Now double act.

Harry Fowler - Another of Odds Now’s regular racing contributors, currently working in the industry.

Dale Nicholls - Long-term friend of Races Now and all-weather lover who tipped a 25/1 winner of the Northumberland Plate on this column among several other winners.

Group 1 action from Newmarket on Saturday, who wins the Sun Chariot Stakes?

SD: With rain forecast, I’d be surprised if Cinderella’s Dream ran. Fallen Angel should have conditions to suit and has the best form, it’s then a question if others can improve past her. The bar is rather high, and they probably won’t.

AS: I think it's a wide open affair with Cinderella's Dream and Fallen Angel no superstars. I'm with the three-year-old improvers Cathedral and Saqqara Sands. Particularly Cathedral, who has taken a while to get going this year, but was a career-best effort last time. Quotes of 20/1 are too big.

HF: It’s a tricky one at this stage of play; rains look imminent, which could have an impact on the race. I would’ve really fancied Cinderella’s Dream, but with said rain and her participation looking up in the air, I'll take Lady Of Spain. Only five career runs and winning all of them. To do what she did last time on turf debut and seasonal reappearance, I think, was impressive.

DN: Lady Of Spain showed a great attitude to preserve her unbeaten record last time out. However, I’m siding with proven Group One performer Fallen Angel.

Any other fancies on the Newmarket card?

SD: Yes. Blakefell was a huge eye catcher last time at Donny and is a big enough price to be interested in the sales race. This is only his third start, and he can improve plenty. He’s the best bet on Saturday.

AS: Fillies handicaps and sales races wouldn't be my kind of party. SD pointed me towards Blakefell in the 2:05, and he's on to something. Watch the replay.

HF: In the first, I’m interested in Princess Rascal, who only had four runs but was sent off 13/8 favourite when disappointing on the AW surface. Prior to that, ran a second and pulling 12 lengths clear of the third, I think she is far better than 81 and can bounce back here Saturday.

DN: Jel Pepper may bounce back in the Auction Stakes (2:05), but it’s a poor card in my opinion, and nothing presents itself as a betting race to me.

A typical Ascot Saturday card over in Berkshire. Any bets for you there?

SD: Native Warrior ticks every box after his rout here last time and should really follow up. But as is always the case with these races, sometimes the plan doesn’t execute as one expects. Purosangue is worth a saver. One day, he’ll win a pot like this, and the forecast rain looks in his favour.

AS: Linwood (3:35) is a horse I've had my eye on since his belated seasonal return in August. A couple of nice runs in tricky races before being hampered at Newbury last time. If the ground stays good (if), he could go well at around 16/1.

HF: I quite like the look of Annaf in the 3:00. Won this race two years ago, and didn’t come here last year as connections opted for the Sprint on Champions Day, where he put in a good effort. Has run well at Ascot before, rain won’t do his chances any harm, and I think he can go well at 7/1.

DN: Prince Of India was a very unlucky loser last time out. Risks attached with Jamie Spencer on but I’d be prepared to chance in the Bengough Stakes (3:00). In the following race at 3:35, Native Warrior won with considerable ease here last time, so we will be doubling up the Spencer bandwagon and therefore I may need to stock up on some Rennies for Saturday afternoon.

ITV is covering Redcar for their biggest fixture of the season, featuring the Two-Year-Old Trophy. Who are you backing?

SD: I’m very, very keen on Arduis Invicta and have been all week. She is very progressive, and I think she doesn’t need much more to win. Golden Brown was buffeted around last time at Doncaster and the York run, where he has a significant weight pull from the jolly offers hope.

AS: Hollywood Treasure won a Listed race on her second start and looked a nice prospect in doing so. No good in a soft ground French Group 3 last time. I'd happily back her for the Two-Year-Old Trophy.

HF: Isle of Fernandez is the one for me. Ran a good race last time in Group 3. Has been shown to run well in softer conditions, and there is rain around. I think down to a listed race can go very close.

DN: Too many tracks have held a draw bias this year, and it’s massively off-putting, especially at this stage of the season. If you are drawn high here, you can forget it. I won’t be staking, but if I were to pick one out that catches my eye, I’d go with Arduis Invicta, who was massively unlucky in Listed company last time out, is well drawn here and will get six furlongs no problem.

With the 2026 Classics in mind, who impressed you most in the three big two-year-old races at Newmarket last weekend?

SD: Nothing really gave me any hope of any of them winning a classic. Plenty of water is to come under the bridge until next May, though, and fervent speculation is not welcome.

AS: I said pre-race that Bow Echo was the best two-year-old we've seen in Britain this year, and he went a long way to cementing that with an authoritative win in the Autumn Stakes. True Love was also tipped by yours truly for the Cheveley Park, but she won't be threatening the Classics next year, too quickly.

HF: Classic-wise wise it does have to be Bow Echo, but I was most impressed with Wise Approach. Everything went wrong, and to come around the houses and from that far back to win like he did was impressive. Commonwealth Cup contender for next season.

DN: That's easy. Bow Echo. Won the Autumn Stakes with any amount in hand. Really exciting for next year. Wise Approach can have his performance upgraded for obvious reasons, and that looked to be a strong renewal of the Middle Park.

News in the week that ITV's horse racing coverage has been extended until 2030. Realistically, what would you change about the ITV Racing output?

SD: I think I need to think less about myself and look at who they appeal to. But that said, more betting content is a must.

AS: I don't watch ITV Racing live ever, although I do see the Twitter clips at the end of a long day working. I'm with 99.9% of other racing fans who would say the same - MORE BETTING TALK PLEASE.

HF: I think before saying anything about ITV racing, it’s all about their target audience, and I think they do a good job on that. I think some more betting content would be good, and not to shy away from what is a huge part of our sport.

DN: I think they could probably go more granular on the betting side, after all, that is essentially the primary purpose. Scratch the £20 challenge and Tipping Tom. The Opening Show probably caters more for the dedicated fan than the main coverage itself, so try to replicate the spirit of that a little more.