A big Saturday at Newmarket, with the Dewhurst Stakes and the Cesarewitch, plus a strong card at York on Soft ground and five more meetings across Britain and Ireland.
Our NAP and next best both come from Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore at Newmarket, each the top-rated runner in his race. The each-way pick is an in-form Haggas handicapper in the 16:32 at York.
Saturday's selections
| Bet | Race | Horse | Price | Stake |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NAP | 3:00 Newmarket | Darkness Falls | SP | 2 pts win |
| Next best | 2:25 Newmarket | Sergei Diaghilev | SP | 1 pt win |
| Each-way pick | 4:32 York | Divine Knight | SP | 0.5 pt e/w (3 places, 1/4) |
NAP: Darkness Falls (3:00 Newmarket)
Darley Dewhurst Stakes (Group 1), 7f, Good to Soft (Good in places), 5 runners
Darkness Falls is the highest-rated colt in the Dewhurst on 118, two pounds clear of Desert Castle and nine clear of his stablemate Great Barrier Reef. In a five-runner Group 1 where everyone carries 9-3, that gap on the ratings is the clearest edge on the card.
His form reads 311: beaten on debut, then two wins in a row, so he arrives on the up. He has had 28 days since his last run, a sensible gap before a big autumn target, and Ryan Moore rides for Aidan O'Brien.
The ground is Good to Soft, Good in places, and with a small field the draw in stall 5 should not cost him much. He is our strongest bet of the day.
Main danger: Desert Castle is unbeaten in two and already a winner over this trip.
Next best: Sergei Diaghilev (2:25 Newmarket)
Emirates Autumn Stakes (Group 3), 1m, Good to Soft (Good in places), 7 runners
Sergei Diaghilev tops the Autumn Stakes ratings on 107, a pound above Rock Montreal and eight above Notable Dream, with all seven carrying the same 9-3.
He has two wins from four starts and has finished in the first three in three of them, so the one blip in his 1912 form looks the exception. Crucially he is already a winner over a mile, which Rock Montreal is not, and stamina matters on Good to Soft ground at Newmarket in October.
Moore and O'Brien again, after 28 days off. Stall 7 is the widest draw, but in a field of seven that is a small price to pay for a colt with the best rating and proven at the trip.
Main danger: Rock Montreal, rated 106 and second last time, is the one to fear.
Each-way pick: Divine Knight (4:32 York)
Sky Bet Extra Places Handicap (GBBPlus Race), 1m 5f 188y, Soft (Good to Soft in places), 14 runners
Divine Knight comes into this York handicap off a win and with a progressive look to his figures: 633541 shows him improving through his last four runs.
He races off 84, so the handicapper has not yet had a full go at him, and he carries 9-3, eight pounds less than the top weights. He is already a winner over this trip, and his 23-day break is ideal for a horse in form.
Tom Marquand rides for William Haggas, and stall 10 of 15 is workable over a mile and five furlongs. With 14 runners after Wonder came out, standard each-way terms pay three places at a quarter of the odds, and he has made the first three in three of his last six starts.
Main danger: Master Builder won last time and has course and distance form.
Saturday's meetings
| Course | Going | Races | First - last |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newmarket | Good to Soft (Good in places) | 7 | 1:15 - 4:50 |
| York | Soft (Good to Soft in places) | 7 | 1:30 - 5:07 |
| Chepstow | Good to Soft (Good in places) | 7 | 1:35 - 5:10 |
| Hexham | Good | 7 | 1:43 - 5:30 |
| Southwell | Standard | 9 | 4:10 - 8:30 |
| Fairyhouse | Good (Good to Yielding in places) | 7 | 1:58 - 5:35 |
| Naas | Soft | 7 | 1:40 - 5:15 |
We settle these tips at the starting price (SP). Stakes are in points: 2 on the NAP, 1 on the next best and 0.5 each way on the each-way pick.
FAQs
What is the NAP of the day for Saturday 10 October?
Our NAP is Darkness Falls in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket at 15:00. He is the top-rated runner on 118, has won his last two starts and is ridden by Ryan Moore for Aidan O'Brien. It is a 2-point win bet, settled at the starting price.
What is the going at Newmarket and York today?
Newmarket is Good to Soft, Good in places, for the Dewhurst and Cesarewitch card. York is softer, officially Soft, Good to Soft in places, which puts more of a premium on stamina in the longer handicaps such as the 16:32.
How many places are paid in the 16:32 at York?
With 14 runners in a handicap, standard each-way terms pay a quarter of the odds for the first three places. Some bookmakers offer extra places on big Saturday handicaps, so check the terms before you bet. Our Divine Knight tip is settled on standard terms at the starting price.
18+ only. Tips are our opinion, not a promise: racing is unpredictable and losing runs happen. Stake only what you can afford to lose. Free, confidential help: BeGambleAware or GamCare on 0808 8020 133.