Two bets late into the evening on Friday with Ardbraccan (Haydock 8:55) and Ventura Express (Pontefract 9:00) – both have been well supported throughout the day, so hopefully we can bag a winner. We had a late runner at Sandown on Thursday night, Two Tempting (2^nd 7/2 < 6/1) who ran well but bumped into an equally progressive rival.

Saturday 28th May

I’m not advising any bets on the ITV races this week, mainly due to prices being too short. At Haydock, I like Dragon Symbol in the Achilles Stakes (1:45); I expect him to prove his stable debut at York was not his true running; Forza Orta in the 1½m handicap (2:20); Sunray Major in the John Of Gaunt Stakes (3:30). Three races from Beverley have terrestrial tv coverage: Star Of Lady M has sound each-way claims in the Hilary Needler (2:05) back on a more conventional track as she didn’t cope with Chester; and Whistle And Flute is a strong fav in the Two-Year-Old Trophy Conditions Stakes (3:15). In the one race from Chester, the ICM Stellar Sports Handicap (3:45), I landed on Fools Rush In and Oh This Is Us ahead of last year’s winner Boardman.

I do have selections in the three Haydock races that are not being shown on ITV.

It’s a cracking mile handicap that opens the Haydock fixture, with eleven unexposed three-year-olds declared. At a big price, Ana Gold could be over-priced at [] on her second start of the season. She was third off the same mark in a fillies’ nursery that included Perfect News and Cashew, where she would have finished closer had she not had to start her run from the rear. Ana Gold was third on seasonal debut at Beverley, weak in the market and looking in need of the run, she wasn’t given a hard time once her chance had gone, staying on for third in a race run in a decent time:

Haydock 1:10 – ANA GOLD – ½ point each-way @ 25/1 (Several firms; only Sky & Coral are 4 places)

Mitrosonfire (4:05) had a decent seasonal return at Newbury when fourth despite losing a shoe; back on winning mark and only 1lb higher than for last year’s Shergar Cup win he looks over-priced, he wants six furlongs and decent ground and with a dry forecast, the quicker the better:

Haydock 4:05 – MITROSONFIRE – ½ point each-way @ 18/1 - 4 places most firms

Finally, The Cookstown Cafu (4:40) was an eye-catcher on seasonal debut in a 0-95 7f handicap at the York Dante meeting when third to a well-backed Gosden winner. The Cookstown Cafu remains on the same mark for this 0-85 and is expected to go close:

Haydock 4:40 – THE COOKSTOWN CAFU – 1 point win @ 13/2 (Bet365; 11/2 Hills)

At Catterick, Yasmin From York 4:14) returns to the CD where she bolted-up two starts back. Since then, he was beaten 1½ lengths by Gift Of Raaj when dropping back in trip to 1m 6f back at the north Yorkshire track. The mare looked a bit outpaced over the shorter trip and she was a bit short of room, she should be able to reverse the form with Gift Of Raaj and Red Force One:

Catterick 4:14 – YASMIN FROM YORK – 1 point win @ 5/2 (Bet365; no other prices)