Good morning all,

Plenty of good racing over the next five days.

Tomorrow we have a six-race evening card at Sandown with the feature race being the Listed Heron Stakes (6:55). On Friday we have the final serious trials for both the Derby & Oaks at Goodwood and it’s the first of two days racing at Haydock with the Listed Cecil Frail Stakes the feature race of a seven-race card.

Saturday sees the first Irish Classic of the season the Tattersalls 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh (3:20). The big race this side of the Irish Sea is the Group 2 Temple Stakes (4:10) at Haydock. Earlier on the card there's the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes (3:35) and the normally competitive Silver Bowl Handicap for the 3-year-olds. There are also good cards at York & Goodwood.

On Sunday it’s Irish 1,000 Guineas Day with fillies classic due off at 3:50. Earlier on the card there’s Group 1 action with the Tattersalls Gold Cup (2:40) which could see the return to action of last season’s top 3-year-old Love.

ITV Racing are covering the best of the action from Haydock, Goodwood & York, as well as the Irish 2,000 Guineas, as part of a bumper ten race Saturday programme.

Inside today’s main piece you will find a horse to note for Saturday should he run. Plus, I have had a look at couple of today’s races.

One For Saturday

I have already begun to look at the weekend’s big races and there's likely to be plenty of betting opportunities. However, until final racing plans are known I’m keeping an open mind as to possible bets.

Here’s one that I do like for Haydock’s big handicap on Saturday.

Haydock – Silver Bowl Handicap (Class 2)

The Silver Bowl Handicap normally attracts a big field of 3-year-old handicappers. Many of whom are open to plenty of improvement. On such horse entered in this year’s race is Tawaareq.

Trained by Sir Michael Stoute, Tawaareq has only had the four career starts but shaped with plenty of promise on his three juvenile starts.  A winner at Doncaster last September. He was plenty keen enough on his seasonal return when 4^th of 9 in the Esher Cup at Sandown. Being held up which wasn’t the place to be on day when every winner either made all or was prominent. He also didn’t get the best of passages but jockey Andrea Atzeni didn’t subject the horse to a hard race when he realised his chance had gone. He’s better than he was able to show at Sandown.

By no means certain to get into the race and probably wouldn’t want the ground to be too soft. However, should he take his place in the line-up, he’s worth a second look.

Wednesday Racing

Myristica did the column a good turn yesterday when showing a good attitude to prevail at Nottingham.  The day’s feature race is the Listed Rothesay Stakes (3:20) at Ayr but there aren’t many solid betting opportunities.

Ayr

3:20 – Just a ¼ length separated Black Lotus and Arriviste at the finish of the Listed Nottinghamshire Oaks 22-days ago. Both were making their seasonal reappearance and ran perfectly respectable races.  Of the pair Arriviste could be open to a bit more improvement this season and at around 13/2 looks the value pick.

2:45 – Tamaska looked much improved when beating 14 rivals at Thirsk (good to firm) last time. Up 6lb but the 3-year-old is at the right end of the handicap and can should go well. Interestingly trainer David O’Meara opts for the first time cheekpieces today and if the headgear has the desired effect he can follow up.

Yarmouth

2:00 – Amsby was a real eyecatcher when 4^th of 10 at Lingfield two starts back. The 4-year-old was then sent off 7/2 for his turf debut at Redcar last time. In truth he was disappointing and could only finish 6^th of 12. It could be he’s a better horse on the all-weather but he’s only had five career starts and is worth another chance to show he’s better than he Redcar performance suggests.

Wednesday selection:

Ayr

3:20 – Arriviste -7/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook

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Good luck with your Wednesday bets.

John