13:50 Haydock

Leg 1 Selections: Delorean

This is a wide-open handicap for leg one but a chance is taken on the Ralph Beckett-trained DELOREAN, who’s displayed promise in making the frame in all three career starts, and has been gifted a lenient mark ahead of his handicap debut. 

He should be more than able to stay this mile and is open to further improvement, so despite coming up against other potential well-handicapped types, he should be very competitive here. 

14:25 Haydock

Leg 2 Selections: Mr McCann, La Trinidad

MR MCCANN has to bounce back from a disappointing run in the Britannia but he will be suited to this small-field scenario and is back on the same mark when bolting up at Epsom. He is also 1-1 at this course and is back in much calmer waters here. 

He’s a huge player, while LA TRINIDAD ran well when an unlucky fourth at Epsom back in June in this grade and is now back on his last winning mark with first-time cheekpieces applied. He cannot be ruled out. 

15:00 Haydock

Leg 3 Selections: Intellogent, Royal Champion 

INTELLOGENT has been running extremely well in tough handicaps since his time in France, which includes a second in the Royal Hunt Cup and third in the John Smith’s Cup under big weights. He is a former Group 1 winner, who meets Anmaat on two-pounds better terms than when behind that rival last-time-out and is worth his place in this line-up. 

He handles most ground and is drawn well in stall six, so there’s lots to like about his chances. It looked like the wheels fell off ROYAL CHAMPION’s career until returning from a gelding operation to easily beat a useful field at Epsom. He is stepping back up in class but he’s got a lightly-raced profile and should go well back on firmer ground. 

15:35 Haydock

Leg 4 Selections: Oscula, Floral Splendour 

It’s hard to look beyond OSCULA, who’s only been out of the frame twice in fifteen starts and is having an excellent season, who won a Group Three when last spotted, and will have no difficulty back over a mile. This will be her fourth start within a month but she brings the best form into the race so, provided her busy spell doesn’t take a toll on her, she’s the one they all have to beat. 

FLORAL SPLENDOUR created a deep impression when sauntering to a six-lengths success over six furlongs here on debut and while this is a much stiffer examination, James Tate clearly feels as though she is capable of running a big race here now stepped up markedly in distance. Jim Crowley is booked to ride and it’ll be interesting to see how this filly fares in this Listed event with more to offer. 

16:10 Haydock

Leg 5 Selections: Jubilee Girl 

JUBILEE GIRL could be worth chancing at the odds for the penultimate leg on today’s pool. I thought she ran well in all three starts to date and ran a respectable race at this venue three weeks ago when making a bold effort from the front and eventually finishing fourth. 

An opening mark of 65 on handicap debut with claimer Pierre taking off three-pounds makes her of some interest here. She should appreciate the extra yardage and Karl Burke could hardly have his team in better form either. I can see her running really well at decent odds. 

16:40 Haydock

Leg 6 Selections: Thunder Legend 

This is a really good race for leg six. However, the William Haggas-trained THUNDER LEGEND is proving very consistent this year and came very close over track and trip in first-time cheekpieces in June, when beaten under a length in a race that has been boosted by the winner since. 

He’s a very strong-traveller, who remains well-treated off his current mark, and has the assistance of Tom Marquand again too, which is great news. Whitebeam and Zero Carbon have to be greatly feared but the former has run well in all starts for his current yard and should be thereabouts.