Saturday, Haydock, 13:35, 1m Handicap Tip: Back Cerulean Bay EW three places @ 8/19.00
Some tough and hardened handicappers line up for Haydock's opener over 1m and top weight Cerulean Bay has plenty on his plate, but he looks up to it.
A mark of 104 demands plenty and he has struggled in some of the top-end handicaps this season and has yet to get on the scoresheet.
However, on his effort at Goodwood in the Golden Mile, he'd have an excellent chance.
A length second to 105-rated Archivist ranks as one of his best runs, and he certainly travelled well in the race. He tracked Archivist from a mid-division position and got out late, but not fast enough.
His last two runs have been poor at York and Ascot, but York was on soft and he can get back on track in a race that doesn't look quite as tough as the ones he's been competing in.
David O'Meara landed the Ayr Gold Cup last weekend and has a decent five-year record at the track as from his 26 winners at a tick over 13%, there is a level stakes profit of +54.68.
Back Cerulean Bay in the 13:35 at Haydock EW three places
Saturday, Haydock, 14:10, 5f Handicap Tip: Back All Ways Glamorous EW four places @ 7/18.00
I usually cannot resist a Chris Mason speedster partnered by the excellent Gina Mangan, and All Ways Glamorous at 7/18.00 with four places gives us that each-way angle for the double if Cerulean Bay wins or places in the first leg.
All Ways Glamorous scored at Ascot and Ffos Las at the height of summer, and obviously the Ascot race was a lot better than the one in Wales.
Both were on fast going, and while he appears to act on good to soft, the soft officially last time at Goodwood was a ready-made excuse. Indeed, so tough was the ground that day Timeform had it down as "heavy".
He also didn't have a totally clear run on the rail at Goodwood last time, although he was hanging and didn't exactly help himself.
Haydock might be a track to suit, as he impressed with plenty of early speed when second to King Of Light over CD last season.
It was softish that day and he went like a bullet on the stands' inside the first two furlongs and clocked a second one at 10.54, which was sharp.
With four places a "blast off and go" run will be just the ticket from stall nine.
Back All Ways Glamorous in the 14:10 at Haydock EW four places
Back Alan's two Haydock selections on Saturday in a Sportsbook double EW