14:30 Haydock

This represents a big step up from winning a novice event at Nottingham for MISS O CONNOR (NAP) (best price 7-4), but such was the manner of her performance and subsequent speed figure, that she rates a confident choice to bridge the gap.

Having her first start for new connections since winning a soft ground maiden for John Feane in Ireland, the daughter of Roderic O’Connor was a warm order to take care of her 10 rivals at the Midland venue and she never looked in any danger, pulling readily clear to win by a long-looking 11 lengths. Clearly a very talented filly, especially when the mud is flying, the rain in the last 48 hours has come as a welcome addition to her claims and on a track that often suits strong gallopers that can dictate matters from the front, she will hopefully take some pegging back once in full cry.

Miss O Connor - 2pts @ 7/4

15:05 Haydock

As we all know, Addeybb is extremely effective on very testing ground, as he proved conclusively at Royal Ascot, but, as a result, he hasn’t been missed in the market. Despite his obvious claims, he offers little in the way of value, whereas SURREY THUNDER (best price w/o fav 10-1) looks to have been totally underestimated and is worth playing in the ‘without the favourite’ market.

A winner on soft ground on his final start at two last season, Joseph Tuite’s colt was pitched straight into pattern company at Saint-Cloud on his opening start to this campaign and that bold move almost paid off as he only just got touched off close home having looked all over the winner down the straight. Placed in Group 3 company on his next two outings, he was then sent to Hamburg to contest the German Derby on his latest start and he certainly covered himself with glory that day with a decent effort in fifth place. Hitting the front two out, he just didn’t quite get home in the closing stages, but now back over his optimum distance on ground that will suit him better than most, he makes the most appeal of those likely to bustle up the favourite.
Surrey Thunder - 1pt @ 10/1

15:45 Newmarket

It’s been awhile since Peter Chapple-Hyam had his name in lights, but there’s an outside chance that ANANYA (best price 12-1) may be capable of providing the jovial Newmarket handler with his first pattern success for some time. A promising third over six-furlongs on the July course on debut, the daughter of Sepoy was easier to find in the market as a result second time around, and in stepping up in trip more in-keeping with her pedigree, she relished the task at hand to run out a ready winner. Staying on very strongly late on, she bounded clear of her toiling rivals and with the speed figures pointing towards the performance being above-average, she’s thoroughly entitled to take her chance in this better grade. The fact that she’s had two runs over today’s course has surely got to count for plenty and with some of her more vaunted rivals, such as Ultra Violet and Soffika, yet to produced anything special on the numbers, this two-year-old contest looks primed for a shock.

Ananya - 0.5pts e/w @ 12/1

16:35 Redcar

THE FIDDLER (best price 9-2) has yet to win a race in 14 starts, but he’s shown enough recently to suggest it’s only a matter time before he sheds that unwanted tag.

A promising third in a well-run affair at Wetherby three starts ago, Chris Wall’s gelding went one place better on his latest outing at Nottingham, once again catching the eye with the way he finished his race off from the back of the field. A big, scopey sort who should turn out to be much better than his current rating of 50 in time, today’s modest contest offers him another chance to prove that theory and providing the ground doesn’t get too soft due to the forecast rain, he looks a safe bet to hit the frame at the very least.

The Fiddler - 0.5pts e/w @ 9/2

20:05 Kilbeggan

LUCKY PAT (best price 4-1) ran a terrific race in a hot handicap at Galway last week and he looks primed to strike at a track where his form figures read 1116. Having run well on his return to action previously at Tipperary, a solid run at Ballybrit looked on the cards and he duly delivered goods by chasing home the well-punted favourite All The Answers. Although he proved no match for the winner on the run-in, he kept on all the way to the line and having also impressed by the way he travelled throughout the contest, he’s clearly a veteran right on top of his game at present. Having run well numerous times on soft ground, any easing in the conditions due to forecast rain shouldn’t inconvenience him either.

Lucky Pat - 1pt e/w @ 4/1