Ascot Saturday

1.40 Schweppes Handicap 7f

Thunder Call is the one to beat here having shaped as if ready for a step up to seven furlongs on his last couple of starts but the market is not blind to his chances, and I prefer Addison Grey at the prices.

Clive Cox’s gelding has progressed well over the last year or so and looked better than ever at his first attempt over seven furlongs last time when strong at the finish in beating Havana Pusey at Newbury. That effort suggests that he can do more at this trip having convincingly proven his stamina and he should be able to give the favourite plenty to think about.

Haydock Saturday

1.25 Betfair Backs Opinions Superior Mile Stakes (Group 3) 7f 212yd

Needle Match is taken to improve on an excellent second to Isaac Newton in the Desmond Stakes last time. A winner of his only juvenile start on heavy ground, he took the eye in the Greenham on his return, but found the 2000 Guineas a culture shock.

He bounced out of that well given a break despite possibly finding the ground lively enough at Leopardstown, and should appreciate getting back on yielding turf here.

1.55 Betfair Celebrates Bow Echo Ascendant Stakes (Listed) 7f 212yd

It’s doubtful whether there is another Bow Echo in the Ascendant Stakes this year and, while a couple of these have entries in the Dewhurst Stakes, it’s one who lacks a Group 1 entry that makes most appeal.

Rocket Boy improved on a winning debut when a staying-on third to Quest For Stars in the Stonehenge Stakes at Salisbury last time and should appreciate the softer ground here, which should place the emphasis on stamina.

Marco Botti has had three winners and two seconds from just seven runners in the last week and Rocket Boy can continue his good run of form.

3.05 Betfair Exchange Old Borough Cup Handicap 1m 6f

In The Breeze was well held after a break at York last time, but is best on testing ground and was impressive when scoring at Goodwood on his penultimate start. It’s possible that this level of handicap stretches him but the Old Borough Cup has cut up a bit and yesterday’s heavy rain brings him into the equation. In the last three years, he’s only raced on soft or heavy going four times, but has won three of those and was third on the other occasion. In a race where few relish the mud, he appeals as a decent each-way bet.

3.40 Betfair Sprint Cup Stakes (Group 1) 6f

Paborus failed to stay seven furlongs in the City of York last time, but shaped well until his stamina was stretched, and had previously beaten City of York third, Marvelman, in the Chipchase Stakes at Newcastle.

His only outing on soft ground to date saw him run out an easy winner at Redcar as a three-year-old and he’s been campaigned as if best away from fast ground since then.

He seems to have got faster as he’s matured and, while he has form over seven furlongs, it may well be that he will prove best at sprint trips these days.

Kempton Saturday

2.20 William Hill London Mile Series Final Handicap Final 1m

There are plenty of course-and-distance winners in this field, but Warrior Mode impressed on the clock when winning a qualifier here last time and, although in deeper water here, Sir Mark Prescott’s charge looks capable of progressing further and remains well treated having gone up 4lb for that success.

2.50 William Hill September Stakes (Group 3) 1m 3f 219yd

Constitution Hill has apparently been all the rage for the September Stakes, but the mind boggles to think that serious punters would get involved in a race like this before seeing the final line-up.

It would be nice if the former champion could reinvent himself as a group-class flat racer, but he looks a poor price and it’s hard to believe the “heavy support”, which saw his price crash from 12/1 on Tuesday, is anything other than sentimental support.

Warrant Holder can be excused a below-par run at York last time and is just about the most appealing runner at the prices.

Recommended

Addison Grey 1.40 Ascot – 1pt e/w @ 11/2 (general)

Rocket Boy 1.55 Haydock – 1pt win @ 2/1 (general)

In The Breeze 3.05 Haydock – 0.5pts e/w @ 22/1 (general – 4 places’; 25/1 Bet365)

Paborus 3.40 Haydock – 1pt win @ 11/2 (general; 6/1 Ladbrokes/Coral)

Warrior Mode 2.20 Kempton – 1pt win @ 13/2 (general)