14:00 Haydock

Arecibo, 0.5 pts E/W, 14/1, 4 places

Former Group 1 King’s Stand runner-up ARECIBO (best price 14/1) might not be the force he once was, but the nine-year-old is down to a career-low mark of 78, and with Zak Wheatley taking off a further 3lb, the veteran could run a big race.

It’s been more than three years since he last succeeded, but that was off a mark of 99, and he’s since made the frame numerous times off higher marks than today’s one. Five times he’s hit the places this year off marks of 80 or higher, and he’s gone well at this course in the past.

The ground will suit, and it’s very rare to see him at this level given most of his form has been against stronger opposition. Despite his advancing years, there’s every chance of him making a serious impact, with four places generally on offer.

Bayraat, 0.5 pts E/W, 8/1, 4 places

Bottom-weight and last year’s third BAYRAAT (best price 8/1) is another runner that appeals to me based on his eye-catching latest third at York and must enter calculations off an unchanged mark. 

Only 2lb higher than when last successful, the eight-year-old has gone close twice off this mark previously and also nearly defied a 3lb higher mark of 67 when a narrow third over C&D in this race last year.

Considering he was hampered at the start of that latterly-mentioned contest, he did well to only be denied by a head, and this appears to have been the plan since. He’s a major player in his bid to go two places better.

14:35 Haydock

Stormy Impact, 1pt WIN, 5/4

The Richard Fahey-trained STORMY IMPACT (best price 5/4) has looked a bit unlucky on both of her starts to date, finishing a close-up second in each of those and has a good opportunity to get off the mark here.

This filly returned as a beaten favourite last time but was only beaten by a short-head. That effort and her debut second at York were full of promise, and this course should play to her strengths. She is fancied to open her account.

16:20 Haydock

Thapa VC, 0.5 pts E/W, 16/1

In the Oakmere Homes Handicap, I really like the chances of THAPA VC (best price 16/1), who is in seriously good form of late, winning at Doncaster prior to a pair of second-placed efforts and should be bang in the mix.

The six-year-old has a habit of being slow to break, but he came within a short-head of success over C&D on his penultimate outing, and the in-form Rob Hornby is in the saddle. Off a mark that’s still within range, he has excellent claims.