2:05 Bet365 Handicap 1m 6f 1y

Rain at both Haydock and Sandown overnight makes punting in advance tricky, and my best guess is that Haydock won’t get enough to make a big difference to the largely good going with it likely to ride close to that on the day, but punters are advised to take account of the official version Saturday morning and the latest forecast before committing to suggested bets.

I’d be a little worried if the going changed significantly for Dramatic Star given his latest improved effort came on good to firm, but he’s sure to be suited by the step up to a mile and three quarters and looks an ideal sort for the Melrose at York’s Ebor meeting, with this looking a suitable stepping stone along the way.

He took time to get on top at Hamilton last time, but was notably strong in the last furlong and should have learnt something from that success, having still looked green for much of the contest. He only made his debut at the end of April and is clearly a work in progress, so I’d be disappointed if he didn’t have a fair bit more to offer for his in-form stable.

2:40 Bet365 Lancashire Oaks (Group 2) 1m 3f 175y

Rain will certainly not be a worry for Tiffany given she’s twice won on softish ground in Germany and she was hugely impressive when landing the Hoppings Stakes at Newcastle eight days ago.

The one concern would be how quickly this race comes on the back of that excellent effort, but a quick turnaround is rarely a worry for one from the Prescott stable, with three-year-old+ runners from the yard having a 38% strike-rate when running again within that eight-day period. All told, the positives massively outweigh any negatives, and the daughter of Farhh should prove very hard to beat.

3:15 Bet365 Old Newton Cup

Handicap 1m 3f 175y

The veteran Euchen Glen can’t be ruled out with Jim Goldie in such good form, but preference is for the ultra-reliable Chillingham who will appreciate the strong pace which seems likely having run well on both starts on turf this term, and has a record on turf since his debut which reads: 11142433.

Still unexposed at a mile and a half and further, Chillingham was left poorly placed when the race began in earnest at York last time but kept on well to finish third behind Crystal Delight, and finishing a neck ahead of subsequent listed winner Klondyke.

Chillingham has been given a break since that run in May and while his stable was just beginning to find its feet at that stage of the season, it’s fair to say that Ed Bethell is firing on all cylinders now, and was unlucky not to land a double at Royal Ascot from just three runners.

In the last week his runners have posted form figures of 22112922.

Chillingham is effective on any ground and should not be fazed by a wide draw, so it’s hard to see him out of the money in what is admittedly a competitive event.

13:50 Coral Charge (Group 3) 5f 10y

Live In The Dream has been first and second in two starts over course and distance, but the first of those came off 84 in handicap company and he was outstayed by Mitbaahy on quick ground here last year when attempting to make all in the Scurry Stakes.

He’s better than he could show last time, stumbling early on and failing to find his usual rhythm, but remains opposable with a wide draw not making his task here easier.

He will set the race up, however, and my hope is that Twilight Calls can navigate a clear passage closer to the far rail under Ryan Moore.

Cheekpieces are fitted for the first time after his latest creditable sixth in the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot, and he has the historic form to go very close unless the ground turns genuinely soft, which would be an unknown.

14:25 Coral Challenge (Handicap) 1m

Two Tempting is just 1lb worse off with Classic and Dual Identity having beaten them over course and distance on softening ground last time.

There are arguments that the placed horses were unlucky in the run, and it’s true that both came from further back than Two Tempting, but a closing sectional of 52.8 seconds for the final half-mile shows that it was an advantage to come from off the pace that day.

While it must be factored into things that Dual Identity had to wait for a run and that Classic was switched twice before finishing best, I would be inclined to mark Two Tempting up for travelling so well into a warm pace and for the ease with which he got to the front before showing guts to hold on.

Jonny Portman’s five-year-old is an improved model this year and has swiftly built up an excellent record at today’s trip, particularly around a turn, with form figures of 2241224222124811 under such conditions, both on turf and the all-weather.

He’s easy to position in a race, and responds willingly for pressure, so should continue to give a solid account of himself.

15:00 Coral Distaff (Listed) 1m

Indelible shaped really well when three and a quarter lengths fourth of 30 to Soprano in the Sandringham Handicap at Royal Ascot last time, racing on the opposite side of the track to the trio who beat her and arguably making her move a little too early to boot.

She is 9lb worse off with the winner, but the Ascot run was just the fourth of her career and she is capable of further progress with that under her belt.

Soprano is respected but was a beaten favourite in the Star Stakes here last season when racing on softish ground and that would be a concern, for all she seemed an improved performer under what was an excellent ride at Ascot.

The bottom line is that her presence ensures that the selection is an each-way price, and that is enough to twist my arm.

15:35 Coral-Eclipse (Group 1) 1m 1f 209y

In theory, a dead eight for the Eclipse makes for an interesting each-way bet, but I have a suspicion that one of those declared will fail to make it into the stalls and there isn’t a particularly strong angle against overwhelming favourite City Of Troy, who is expected to win with the minimum of fuss given how well he landed the Derby, with that form franked at the Curragh last week.

Dramatic Star 2:05 Haydock – 1pt win 10/3 (Bet365, Hills)

Tiffany 2:40 Haydock – 2pts win 9/4 (general)

Chillingham 3:15 Haydock – 1pt e/w 7/1 (general – 5 places)

Two Tempting 2:25 Sandown – 1pt e/w 8/1 (Bet365, Hills)

Indelible 3:00 Sandown – 1pt e/w 6/1 (Paddy Power, Betfair)