Horse Racing Tips Today – Ed Quigley’s Best Bets for Saturday 23 May

Written By Ed Quigley | Published at May 23, 2026

Jockey and race horse taking the lead in a race

Goodwood 2.00 - Saxon Street

It is hard to look past the claims of the John & Thady Gosden trained Saxon Street, who boasts an unblemished record, and will be looking to make it three from three in this Listed event over 1m3f. The colt got the job done in good style when staying on strongly to win at this level last time out, running away from his rivals inside the hard yards at Epsom. That was over 1m2f and he hit the line in good style so I think this extra furlong can bring about even more improvement. Underfoot conditions should be spot on for him, and Benoit de la Sayette takes the ride on this exciting individual who can flourish here and lay down a marker for the Epsom Derby in the process.

Haydock 2.58 - Venetian Sun

Venetian Sun was a class act as a 2-year-old, winning at the highest level, and has got to be respected, dropping down in trip and into Group 2 company for the Sandy Lane stakes over 6f. The Karl Burke trained filly shaped like a non-stayer in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket and therefore it is no surprise that connections are looking back at sprint trips. If the yard have got her back in the form she showed last season, including when winning the Albany at Royal Ascot, then she could take some beating here. Clifford Lee takes the ride, and I think this looks like a suitable assignment for her which a much greater emphasis on speed rather than stamina .

Haydock 3.30 - Mgheera e/w

We have a fairly stacked field here, and this race looks a corker, with some familiar names making the gig. I am looking for lightning to strike twice here, as last year's winner Mgheera looks the each-way play for the Ed Walker team. The yard have been amongst the winners lately and the 6-year-old geared up nicely for the defence of her crown with a ring-rust removal job, using the tried and tested Group 3 at Longchamp to blow away the cobwebs. 12 months ago she won the corresponding race, however this time she could only manage 6th - but with valid excuses. The ground was testing and most importantly she was drawn in the car park, so I think the run was satisfactory. Back at her happy stomping ground, I think she looks the value, and rates as an each-way play with Kieran Shoemark taking the ride as I have no doubt that her most recent effort will have her stripped a lot fitter for this outing.

Curragh 3.40 - Alparslan e/w

It's the big one, and in truth Gstaad will take a lot of beating. The Aidan O'Brien runner found only one too good in the English equivalent, and looks to have a prime opportunity to get the job done here without Bow Echo in attendance. So naturally, I am looking for an each-way alternative, and the Karl Burke trained representative is a previous winner at the venue, and looked smart when winning the Greenham at Newbury on his comeback run. Given his running style and pedigree, the step up to 1m looks as though it will suit, and he looks a live each-way player in this race. He is totally unexposed and this powerful looking individual looks more than capable of ruffling the feathers of the Ballydoyle hotpot here. Underfoot conditions should be spot-on, and I can envisage him getting involved at the business end of proceedings with Sam James in the saddle.

York 4.25 - Mr Seagull e/w

This is a trappy looking encounter, and I have my eyes on Mr Seagull here who looks more than capable of getting involved at the business end of proceedings off a mark of 83. Despite being a bit keen throughout the early exchanges of his Handicap debut at Haydock 4 weeks ago, he did make eye-catching late headway to finish fourth, and it is fascinating to see that connections step him up to 10f here for this encounter. If he settles a little better throughout the early exchanges it isn't hard to envisage him being produced with a late rattle, where a mark of 83 could massively underestimate him. Oisin Orr takes the ride for the Hugo Palmer stable who have been amongst the winners lately, and I am looking forward to seeing this gelding tackle ten furlongs here.