Wonder Laish has been wrapped in cotton wool this season but I'll wager that William Haggas has had this £140,000 handicap in mind for him for some while, and he rates a bet at 6.611/2 or bigger in the 15:45.
There were rumours back in the spring that this was the stable's Derby horse - if they had one, that is - but he disappeared off the scene after winning an admittedly modest Lingfield maiden by 15 lengths in May, and was withdrawn a couple of times (notably from the Melrose when I tipped him) before returning to the track at Ascot last month.
He dead-heated with Duretto that day, but I think that he did remarkably well to get even a share of the spoils given the way the race panned out and he remains on a winnable mark, despite being raised 7lb.
He was harried throughout on the lead by Polarisation at Ascot but, after seeing off that rival, he was collared close home by Duretto, who came from way off the pace.
Now, there are again potential pace rivals in this race - not least the Mark Johnston pair - but if Wonder Laish can't get a relatively easy time of it on the lead, I bet Haggas has instructed Pat Cosgrave to take a pull and sit in behind the leaders.
If Haggas did hold out some Derby hopes earlier in the season - and he, more than most trainers, knows what he has at home - then a mark of 94 may not stop him here, for all it is a highly competitive race, as you'd expect for the money.
And it is worth noting that the Haggas horses weren't at their best when the selection made his seasonal debut back in April, so perhaps they had to take a pull with the horse, and take it steady with him. I think he has the potential to be rated 100+ judged on his Ascot run, and he obviously remains unexposed.
*****
Quiet Reflection looks a worthy odds-on poke in the Cornwallis at 13:35 after that highly impressive win at Ayr last time. I can't see much of a betting angle against her, though Kurland could be a place-only play for those who need an interest.
In fact, the rest of the Newmarket card doesn't make great appeal from a betting point of view.
Light Up Our World would be the selection at a double-figure price in the Oh So Sharp Stakes at 14:05, but these juvenile Group races full of unexposed and lightly-raced youngsters largely look like guessing games to me.
There is more substance to go at in the Fillies' Mile at 15:10 where Moyglare winner Minding predictably heads the betting.
The form of that race obviously looks very solid with the runner-up winning the Boussac and the third running away (albeit at heavy odds-on) with a sales since subsequently, but I can't make her a bet at around the 15-8 mark.
And the Group 2 contest at 14:40 features some 7f performers who are all well known to each other, and that's another race where nothing stands out. So I'll pass.
*****
You're Fired has been pulled out more times than a stewards' rulebook this year - I'm proud of myself for keeping it clean there - and I wish he was withdrawn here last time out back in August, as I did a fair few quid when he ran no sort of race in that valuable handicap.
It could be that he has a physical issue, as well as connections' insistence that he needs a bit of dig in the ground (but not too much apparently) - he was withdrawn again at Leicester this week - but I'll give him one last chance.
To my mind, he should have won a couple of 1m handicaps on the course this season, and he is only 1lb higher than when an unlucky third to Birdman on his penultimate start. Basically, he is handicapped to win and he has no excuses here on this ground, which is currently soft but probably set to dry out a bit judged on the forecast.
Back him at 9.08/1 or better in the 14:20 to outclass this field.
Penitent is very dangerously handicapped off a mark of 92 now - he was rated 113 after beating Breton Rock in a Haydock Group 3 in May 2014 - but is perhaps not in the best of form to exploit a falling mark these days, especially as a 9yo.
But he rates a threat along with Imshivalla, whose boasts far better recent form and races off the same mark as when a close third at Musselburgh last time.
Who Dares Wins could be the answer to a tricky handicap at 15:25 but not enough to have me reaching for the back button. Good luck on a tricky day of racing on Channel 4.
Recommended Bets
Back You're Fired at 9.08/1 in the 14:20 at York
Back Wonder Laish at 6.611/2 in the 15:45 at Newmarket