The team assess the ITV action from Haydock and Kempton on Saturday.
R1 - Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Superior Mile Stakes – (13:15 Haydock)
An open Group 3 where plenty will fancy their chances. He needs to find plenty on official figures, but that may underestimate the chances of Zeus Olympios, who has created a sizeable impression on both outings to date. A snug winner on debut over seven furlongs at Kempton, he readily followed up with a smooth victory under a penalty at Thirsk last time out. The form of that Thirsk contest hasn't exactly worked out, but it was tough not to be impressed with how he lengthened away that day and it's interesting that top handler Karl Burke has decided to pitch him into Group 3 company.
R2 - Unibet September Stakes (13:35 Kempton)
Unoriginal, but this looks all about Kalpana. Andrew Balding's charge must have every chance in this year's Arc and can warm up for Paris' showpiece with a smooth success in the same contest Enable took en-route. She won this twelve months ago and has done nothing wrong in defeat this season, filling the frame in Group 1 company on her last three outings, including when runner-up in the King George last time out.
R3 - Betting.Betfair Ascendant Stakes – (13:50 Haydock)
Publish will be all the rage here and he clearly deserves the utmost respect for his top connections. That said, Ed Walker's filly Midnight Tango looks interesting at the prices. Things didn't go to plan when she was fourth in the Group 3 Sweet Solero at Newmarket (July), but she stuck to the task well, shaping as though there could be more to come over a mile. With the step up in trip to suit, she could provide a mini upset for a yard in excellent form at present.
R4 - Unibet London Mile Series Final Handicap - (14:05 Kempton)
Previous course and distance winner Superposition could be worth chancing despite his wide draw in gate thirteen. He shaped better than the bare result on ground that wouldn't have suited at Yarmouth last time and remains unexposed on the all-weather. Ed Dunlop's charge nis two from four on the artificial and just 2lb higher than when an excellent second over a mile at Newcastle three starts ago.
R5 - Betfair Plays In A Different League Handicap (Haydock 14:25)
Richard Hughes' Circus Of Rome looks ultra-progressive and could defy a large hike in the weights. He showed sizeable improvement when stepping up to a mile and a half at Newbury earlier in the season, travelling strongly before pulling clear late on, and followed that up with an even more impressive display in a competitive Racing League handicap at Newcastle last time. An 11lb hike in the weights demands more, but he's
open to further progress now stretching out to one-mile six and could prove equal to the task.
R6 - Betfair Exchange Old Borough Cup Handicap (Haydock 15:00)
Iain Jardine has Melbourne Cup aspirations for his progressive Paddy The Squire next season, so he must expect him to have more to give now stepping up in trip. He's done nothing but improve this season and could have further progress to give now that he stretches out to one-mile six on the back of a commanding success in a decent handicap at Hamilton.
R7 – Betfair Sprint Cup (Haydock 15:35)
There are few trainers in better form that William Haggas at the moment and it's interesting that's he's supplemented the filly Sky Majesty for this £400,000 Group 1 prize. Haggas, who landed the contest twelve months ago, clearly feels this progressive filly is capable of mixing it with the best in Group 1 company and there's no doubt that when you remove Lazzat, who needs to bounce back from a lesser effort in France, that it's a wide-open division. She quickened up well to take out the Group 3 Ballyogan Stakes at Naas last time and might be able to follow up now back up in grade.
