Haydock Saturday

1.15 Betfair Exchange Superior Mile Stakes (Group 3) 1m 37y

Make Me King is the right favourite here, with Hamad Al Jehani’s five-year-old very consistent and better than he could show when a close fourth of six to Jonquil in the Celebration Mile at Goodwood last time. He would have benefited from a truer gallop in that event and has every chance of going a few spots better in this lesser contest.

Prague was an excellent second in this race last year, and while behind Make Me King at Pontefract earlier in the summer, was without the tongue tie he had worn for the first time 12 months ago.

He hasn’t been at his very best this term but has indicated that he retains all his ability and should benefit from the refitting of a tongue tie now. Dylan Cunha’s horses are going well with two wins and five seconds from just 13 runners in the past fortnight.

1.50 betting.betfair Ascendant Stakes (Listed) 1m 37y

I was against Publish in the Solario last week, and I’ll take the same view here after he was a late absentee at Sandown. Both his runs have come at that track and he was workmanlike when scoring last time, whereas Bow Echo could not have been more impressive in scoring on his debut at Newbury, careering away in the last furlong for a four-and-a-half-length success.

He’s sure to benefit from that initial experience and looks well above average, so I was inclined to make him favourite when pricing this up. The market disagrees, but I’m loath to desert him given the deep impression he made first time up.

2.25 Betfair Plays In A Different League Handicap 1m 6f 1y

The Melrose Stakes at York is usually a good pointer to this, with last year’s winner Master Builder an eye-catching third at York before scoring here. Fantasy World fared best of a trio here who contested the Melrose a fortnight ago, but both Pole Star and Love Talk shaped just as well at York from poor track positions. The latter was better than the result despite finishing only ninth, and could be missed by the market here, so merits a second glance.

Despite the appeal of strong York form, I still prefer the chances of Circus Of Rome here, with Richard Hughes’s charge progressing well since stepping up beyond a mile and a quarter.

He was very impressive when following a Newbury win with victory in a Racing League event at Newcastle last time, going on strongly at the finish of that extended mile and a half, and looking as if this longer trip would unlock further improvement. It needs to, as the handicapper has clobbered him for that win, but he’s clearly thriving on his racing, and I don’t want to desert him.

3.00 Betfair Exchange Old Borough Cup Handicap 1m 6f 1y

Master Builder hasn’t always found as much as he threatens to, but he’s often travelled as if in front of his mark this term, and is now just 4lb higher than when running out an impressive winner over course and distance 12 months ago.

He does need to shrug off a poor effort at Goodwood last time, but a flat track suits, and he’s expected to get back to form with his stable going great guns in recent weeks. It may be that he needs to do things on the bridle, and I’d hope William Buick can keep him under wraps until late in the day, but he’s certainly capable of winning a race of this nature.

3.35 Betfair Sprint Cup Stakes (Group 1) 6f

The draw can make a difference in this contest but it has proven very hard to predict its effect in recent years, and with pace up the centre, it’s not obvious that either flank will be favoured.

My gut feeling is that Lazzat, impressive winner of the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes on his last visit to these shores, will prove a class apart from the locals again, and while below his best when second of 11 to Sajir in Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville last time, he was harried throughout in a race that set up for the closers and is capable of gaining a fairly early lead here and staying there.

It’s worth remembering that he and Satono Reve were three lengths (the best part of a stone) and more ahead of their rivals at Ascot and that class differential is hugely significant.

What you fancy against the French raider depends on how you read the draw, which I’m struggling with. Both Time For Sandals and Flora Of Bermuda are capable of going close with some luck in running, but are drawn on opposite flanks. Perhaps Friday’s results will give an indication of which is best drawn, but I’d not bank on it.

Ascot Saturday

2.40 Schweppes Handicap 7f

Telemark is drawn lower than ideal with the stalls on the stands’ side, but he’s been shaping up pretty well this season, and the booking of top apprentice Warren Fentiman makes him of interest from a handicapping perspective.

He lacks tactical speed at this trip with his best efforts coming when the emphasis is on stamina, so a big field and soft ground will help and he’s a hopeful choice in an open handicap.

3.15 Silent Pool Gin Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 1m 3f 211y

Daiquiri Bay is a project I haven’t abandoned yet after his good third in the Melrose but the drop back to a mile and a half is counter-intuitive even if conditions place more emphasis on stamina, and preference is for Goodwood scorer Push The Limit.

Ralph Beckett’s son of Le Havre has had that win boosted since when third-placed Bulletin scored easily at Kempton next time, and he’s still thoroughly unexposed at middle distances.

Recommended

Bow Echo 1.50 Haydock 2pts win @ 2/1 (general)

Circus Of Rome 2.25 Haydock 1pt win @ 9/2 (general)

Master Builder 3.00 Haydock 1pt e/w @ 11/1 (Bet365; 10/1 Unibet, 5 places)

Lazzat 3.35 Haydock 2pts win @ 5/2 (Hills; 9/4 general)

Push The Limit 3.15 Ascot 2pts win @ 15/8 (Bet365, 888Sport)