We kick off proceedings with the Group 3 Superior Mile from Haydock Park (14:40) and the one for our money is Short Squeeze, who has gradually got back to his best this season and was value for more than the narrow winning margin at York last time. He's reunited with Pat Smullen who gave him a tremendous spin to win at the Ebor meeting for the second year running, and connections have always made no secret of how highly they regard him. Providing he gets a clearer passage this time it would be no surprise to put up an impressive display as he strikes as the type who is more than ready to graduate to pattern company. Ocean Tempest has to be respected after a huge performance last time but the selection is still on the upgrade and is expected to show it here.
We head south to Ascot for our second bet of the day which comes in the conditions race for juvenile fillies (15:00). Although there are only five runners they are all last-time-out winners and can be given some sort of chance. Narrow preference is given to Godolphin's Good Place, who built on the promise of her debut run at Newmarket when getting off the mark at Lingfield three weeks ago, going through the race smoothly and winning with plenty in hand. Given she holds entries in the Fillies' Mile and the Rockfel she's expected to improve significantly from those two efforts and although Shagah and Sandy Cay merit respect, the selection should handle the step up to a mile and can take this on her way to bigger and better things.
Our final bet of the day sees us return to Lancashire to take in the Group 1 Sprint Cup (15:50) and there's a good blend of established and up-and-coming sprinters set to take their chance. We think class will out and Sole Power is taken to complete a four-timer and claim a hat-trick of Group 1 wins in 2014. Some have voiced concerns over his ability to stay the extra furlong but he finished strongly in the Hong Kong Sprint in his last attempt over six back in December and he's clearly thriving at present. With Richard Hughes back in the saddle supporters will be hoping to avoid another heart-in-the-mouth moment as happened in the Nunthorpe, but he looks capable of winning whatever is thrown at him and this tremendous sprinter can go in again.
Timeform UK SmartPlays
Back Short Squeeze in the 14:40 at Haydock
Back Good Place in the 15:00 at Ascot
Back Sole Power in the 15:50 at Haydock
