8 minutes Check out this weekend's racing tips from our resident tipster.
It's Betfred Temple Stakes Day at Haydock with five races set to be televised live on ITV Racing including the feature Group 2 Temple Stakes over the flying 5f at 15:30.
It should be a great day of racing and I'll take you through each race sharing my thoughts on who I think will see the winner's enclosure.
13:15
1m (1m37y) Betfred Supports Jack Berry House Hell Nook Handicap (Class 3) (4yo+ 0-95)
Things kick off with a tricky Handicap where Paul and Oliver Cole are responsible for the favourite, Golden Chieftain (7/2) This four-year-old gelding put two poor runs at the start of the year well behind him when comfortably landing a Class 3 Handicap at Newmarket last time. Assuming he's back on track, he could well carry on improving off a 6lbs higher mark and connections have acquired the services of William Buick.
The top weight No Retreat (9/2) has been placed in all seven career runs and has recently switched stables to George Scott. His last four runs have all come in the Middle East where he's won once and came runner up three times in larger fields such as the one he encounters today. His consistency has earned him this mark but he has to enter the equation especially if being Gelded recently also brings about improvement.
David O'Meara is no stranger to a Saturday Handicap winner and he has two live chances here with Theoryofeverything (9/1) and Blue For You (10/1). The former is having his first run for 211 days. All his winning form is on soft so is passed over here whilst the latter may have slightly better chances if putting a poor run behind him last time. His third in a Class 2, here, was a good effort first time up this season and would put him in the picture for a place with a mile no problem, although all his winning form away from Ireland is at York.
Candonomore (11/2) is a very interesting runner for Tim Easterby. He hasn't looked back since being Gelded and is seeking a hat-trick of wins within four weeks of each other. He's only up 4lbs since the latest of these wins after only winning by a neck (the first two well clear). He could still be well ahead of the handicapper and rates a danger to all.
Analysis
A chance is taken with the rapidly improving Candonomore who could still be ahead of the handicapper. No Retreat is very well respected especially if the recent Gelding operation brings about more improvement but he doesn't have much wiggle room off this mark. Great Chieftain returned to form last time and can help fill the places.
13:50
1m (1m37y) Betfred Silver Bowl Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) (3yo)
The ultra competitive Silver Bowl has several powerful yards represented here and looks the hardest race to call on the day. Terroom (9/2) will be popular with Roger Varian and Silvestre De Sousa teaming up. Making his Handicap debut he brings a lot of potential after making all last time at Thirsk when odds-on. Clearly enjoys fast ground and he probably doesn't necessarily need to lead.
Dixieland Blues (9/1) has only run on the AW and is another that appears to run prominently in his races. With fitness assured if he can translate his form to turf then he is entitled to be in the picture.
The favourite, King Casper (9/2) was mightily impressive on Handicap debut last time when trouncing his rivals by over three lengths. He blazed a trail that day and has been raised 9lbs for his troubles, although it may not be enough to stop him going in again.
One with a lot more experience than most of his rivals is Sex On Fire (12/1). He's a C&D winner which counts for something and he will definitely get a good pace to aim at here. If they go off too fast in front then I'd imagine there won't be much finishing faster than this one. He couldn't get involved at the tight Chester track last time but back here I think he's a live outsider.
Analysis
With plenty of pace on from the middle stalls I can see Sex On Fire getting a lovely tow into the race from stall 11. I'd go EW here hoping the race will fall into his lap inside the final furlong. King Casper would be second choice as it was a very taking performance last time out.
14:25
1m2½f (1m2f100y) Betfred 'Nifty 50' British EBF Hedge Of Oak Stakes (Listed Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)
Roaring Lion (15/8) rather fluffed her lines last time in the Dahlia Stakes and supporters will be keen to see a better run this time. She's clearly the top rated here and was a Group 2 winner last season at Royal Ascot. If she rediscovers her best form then she should be winning this however that's no guarantee.
Looking for something with potential to beat the favourite, Diamond Rain (3/1) may fit that category. She won a Listed race on her second start before a disappointing final run last season. She reappeared with a fourth in another Listed race looking as though she needed the run. She's in the right hands to improve and may appreciate the return to quicker ground.
Secret Satire (9/1) finished one place in front of Roaring Lion on her return and was highly tried last season, winning the Musidora before not running her race in the Oaks and then running respectably in the States. She has a touch of class about her and may appreciate today's track and trip.
Analysis
Nothing to be confident in any of these so a chance is taken on Secret Satire in the hope she'll have come on for her comeback run.
15:00
6f Betfred Sandy Lane Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (3yo)
The Sandy Lane Stakes is for young, up and coming sprinters and we may have a couple of rising stars here. Symbol Of Honour (11/4) has seen market support over the last day or so and was impressive when reverting back to 6f, taking a Listed race at Newbury last time out. Charlie Appleby and William Buick keep firing out the winner's and he's a sprinter that appears to be going places.
Big Mojo will be the one to give the favourite most to think about having reappeared to win at Ascot last time in a Group 3. His trainer knows how to get these sprinters ready after having success in the same colours with Big Evs. With more improvement likely he has to go close here.
This is by no means a two horse race and the Irish hold every chance in this with the Adrian Murray-trained Arizona Blaze (9/2) second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Sprint last season with Big Mojo fourth that evening. He's been kept busy already this season with this being his fourth run. Last time he took the Prix Sigy at Chantilly and did it impressively. He rates a big danger to the top two with fast ground no issue to him.
The fascinating runner in the field is the Richard Fahey trained Powerful Glory (7/1). He's the unknown quantity here having only had two runs last season, the second of which being the Group 2 Mill Reef on Heavy ground at Newbury. This form is difficult to assess but he could be anything however temptation is to avoid this time.
At a slightly bigger price Ain't Nobody (10/1) isn't written off. He's seen the backside of Big Mojo in his last two runs but hasn't been beaten far. With further improvement to come he has place claims.
Analysis
A tricky race however the pick narrowly is Symbol Of Honour. It was a taking performance last week and he was strong at the finish and he can hopefully just get the better of Big Mojo who never seems to run a bad race and looked equally impressive on return to the track last time out.
15:30
5f Betfred Temple Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1) (3yo+)
Some serious speed on show here with the returning Starlust (7/1) who triumphed in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint where he showed an appreciation for rattling fast ground. Usually held up and would appreciate them to go off hard in front. Starlust is the highest rated of these but he may possibly need this after the layoff.
American Affair (5/1) has started the season on fire with Handicap wins at Musselburgh and York respectively. He's always looked as though he may be able to handle a step up to Group company and he gets his chance here to prove it.
Mgheera made his stable debut recently for Ed Walker having done all his racing in France. After a 197-day layoff he stormed through to win the Grade 3 Prix St-George at Longchamp. If he can build on that, here, in the UK then he's an interesting contender.
Rumstar (100/30) is the favourite and won well in a Group 3 last time out at Newmarket. He's looked good returning to the minimum trip though this is his toughest assignment to date.
Analysis
Starlust is clearly the best rated here but may need the run which hands a chance to American Affair to continue his rise in the Sprint division and land this valuable prize. Mgheera would be of interest with market support especially with William Buick up for the ride.
