Expert horse racing betting tips for w/c Saturday, June 27th 2026

Newcastle's Northumberland Plate meeting tops the bill on another action-packed weekend of racing.

As always, the Odds Now Punters Panel are on hand to mark your card with their best angles and betting tips.

Introducing the Odds Now Horse Racing Punters Panel

Before we get stuck in, here’s a little bit more on the experts 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 few months.

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.

Zac Castledine - Regular Punters Panel contributor and huge horse racing lover, currently working within the industry.

Joe O'Donnell - Racing lover and long-time Races Now viewer, supporter and contributor.

Starting with the main event, who wins the Northumberland Plate?

SD: The key is Circus of Rome back up in trip, having been plotted since last summer. I suppose the way the race unfolds is key (Thursday did look problematic from coming off the pace). I’ve backed him and Dancing in Paris, who likewise has been trained with this in mind, each-way.

AS: Absolutely no idea. Two mile all-weather handicaps are not my kind of party. Circus Of Rome has been all the rage this week. Last years winner Spirit Mixer runs in the Pitmans Derby for the fourth time – good luck to him.

HF: I like Team Player, who has been somewhat of a revelation for his new stable. Winning at 33/1 on seasonal and stable debut over course and distance before going to Musselburgh and following up. Then ran a blinder last time in the Chester Cup off the same mark as today. He was out the back at Chester but back to this trip expect him to be more prominent and he will be there late in the piece staying on strongly. Cheekpieces go on and I think he’s a solid each way bet

ZC: Circus Of Rome for me. It’s very eye catching how he’s been campaigned. I listened to Richard Hughes say today that after he won here last August this race was instantly the plan. I think he’s priced accordingly and is up to winning this.

JOD: I'll be backing Circus Of Rome. Firstly, he has strong course form. Some of his market rivals are unproven on this surface and lack that crucial experience for this prize. It also looks like the trainer has plotted this race for the horse and has "managed the handicap mark" on his previous runs. Circus Of Rome goes well at Newcastle and clearly has a big run in him. I'll double dip each way with Ride The Thunder as a saver, too.

Any other fancies on the Newcastle card?

SD: Wiltshire is at his very best round here and the Chipchase looks a great opportunity.

AS: I tipped Heavenly Heather at 200/1 for the Kings Stand and she definitely outran those odds when a one-and-a-half length sixth on the day. A sprinter on the up, a good record at Newcastle and a nice enough price at 9/1 currently.

HF: In the first race, I fancy Caviar Cowboy. Has the two runs in handicaps, winning his first comfortably over his trip and last time out finishing second, clear of the third and the winner that day has since came a very respectable 5th of 6 in the St James’s Palace, 6 1/4 lengths behind Bow Echo. He’s a horse on the up and I think the 4lb rise to 86 still could underestimate his ability.

ZC: Horses for courses, horses for the all weather. Dilligent Harry made all in this race last year and it wouldn’t surprise me if he does the same again. He’s unbeaten on the all weather this year and he’s got a great chance to make it 3/3 here.

JOD: In the 1:40pm at Newcastle, Bobby Bennu will be very well suited by the stiff seven furlongs. Roger Varian has history in the race too. The horse ran a decent race from a wide draw at Chester recently and must go close here.

Elsewhere, it's Criterion Stakes day at York. Any bets lined up there?

SD: Frankie’s Dream in the 1.55pm has absolutely ideal conditions and looks a pretty good bet. Ground, track, distance, draw and stable form are all ticked.

AS: Never So Brave should win, but 2026 form thus far suggests he isn't reliable enough to part with my cash at around 5/4. I think Saber Strike is way too short on what we have seen so far. He was disappointing at Ascot when a short price favourite for the Jersey, no excuses there - he just wasn't anywhere near good enough.

HF: No prices yet in the 4:15pm but Hallo Spaceboy is one I want to keep onside. I think he’s one we are yet to see the best of and there is plenty more to come for him – enough to be winning races off this sort of mark.

ZC: I’m hoping this is finally the day for Andesite. The well bred son of Pinatubo has been bitterly disappointing, not winning since an exciting debut at this track as a 2YO. Sold to Roger Fell in March, I feel he has been getting to know this lad and his run last time out over C&D was encouraging enough to think a reproduction of that could finally bring up a long awaited second victory.

JOD: In the Dash at 2:25pm, I'll play Naana's Shadow. Up seven pounds for a magnificent Three Year Old Epsom Dash victory on softish ground, I can see this improving horse running a huge race under Oisin Murphy, who is retaining the ride. Her previous York third is good form and I'm expecting a very prominent run from the selection.

READ MORE: 2026 World Cup - Our best bets for Friday's six matches

Anything else taking your eye this weekend?

SD: Quantum Power at Windsor. I think a 5lb rise for his demolition job will prove not high enough.

AS: My bet of the weekend is Velozee each way in the 3:20 Curragh. I thought she ran a belter in the Queen Mary last week and the step back to six furlongs is just what she needs. 8/1 at time of writing, a cracking each way bet against an odds on, slightly unproven O'Brien hot-pot in Sun Goddess.

HF: Over at Chester there is the listed race, the 3:33pm Queen Charlotte Fillies’ Stakes. Magic Basma ran a good race last time where a lot went wrong. The second at Haydock behind Rosy Affair is looking even better too following her third in the King Charles III.

ZC: Thundering On should be winning the Pretty Polly. She was electric at Epsom and would be my bet of the weekend.

JOD: Stardom Glory in the 2:02pm at Chester has been second twice so is vulnerable to one. I'll back The Dancing Pirate, trained by Andrew Balding. The trainers' two year olds tend to improve with racing.

Who wins the Irish Derby on Sunday?

SD: Benvenuto Cellini. The start made no difference at Epsom, but the ground did. He put up a great time at Chester.

AS: I think Raaheeb is the best middle distance three year old in the UK and this is his chance to prove it, albeit in Ireland. He could be very, very good. Look at his siblings for a start. I have been against Benvenuto Cellini for some time given the rubbish opposition he beat at Chester in May, while Christmas Day won the Derby in a complete bog and the race fell to bits during and after. I've tipped Raaheeb at 5/1 earlier in the week and think this could be the last chance we get to back him at a nice price between now and October.

HF: Back on decent ground, I think Benvenuto Cellini will win. He was impressive at Chester and I think there is still more to come from that. No point even mentioning the mess that was the Epsom Derby.

ZC: I’d love for Raaheeb to do the business. A full brother to the incredible Baaeed, it would be some result for Shadwell if he goes on to win this, and hopefully one day be stabled next to his brother as a stallion at Beech House.

JOD: James J Braddock. The horse stayed on dourly in the Epsom Derby in awful ground after being a naughty boy in the prelims. So I can see improvement forthcoming in this race on better ground so is a solid each way play for me.

Finally, what was your highlight of Royal Ascot 2026?

SD: Scandinavia’s gutsy performance is the right answer. A race to remember.

AS: Many. Ombudsman will likely be the best single performance on UK soil this year. Scandinavia vs Trawlerman was fantastic. Bow Echo was hindered and will show a better performance next time. Lost Boys can win another handicap. Notable Speech hates Ascot. The Wolferton was an absolute mess. And I backed a load of seconds including; 50/1, 40/1, 10/1 and 15/2. On we go.

HF: There was some amazing races. Ombudsman’s victory or the Gold Cup which was one for the ages being a chief one. But personally for me, my favourite horse in training is Precise. A lot has been spoken about the second but I think she wouldn’t have been one for passing anyway. As mentioned in a column pre-Irish 1000 Guineas, I fancied her to win that and then go to the Coronation, with a price at the time of 6/1. Thank god for the rain Epsom week and hopefully all roads now lead to the Nassau for one of Aidan’s star 3 year old fillies.

ZC: Great question as there’s so many to choose from. However, the Gold Cup has to be the one. Trawlerman in the first time ski goggles putting in some fight at 8, just to be pipped by the incredible partnership of Moore and Scandinavia. Watching Ruby’s analysis of the race was superb. Seeing him breakdown Ryan’s final 2 cracks of the pro cush in the final half furlong confirmed what we already knew – he’s just the best in the game. What a week it was, truly the finest showcase of this sport we all adore.

JOD: The Gold Cup for sure. What a race between Scandinavia and Trawlerman. This race set a high standard for bravery and excitement. Well done to both horses!