On official handicap ratings Henry Cecil's Tranquil Tiger looks the one to beat in the 3.25 at York, provided the rain doesn't arrive; the selection was withdrawn from a race earlier in the week on account of soft ground. Last time out TT beat Regal Flush ten lengths at Newbury; it's interesting to note however that was RF's first run of the season. There's likely to be improvement to come and RF is also the top-rated animal by the Racing Post. TT's time looked respectable at Newbury given the windy conditions - he gets the vote here.
Goodwood is well known as a tricky track that doesn't suit all types; in the On The House Stakes at 3.35 I'm not overly confident but will take a chance with Caldra. This horse hasn't obliged since 2006 and doesn't look particularly easy to win with, but, having said that, he has done so over course and distance and he handles easy ground.
Up at Haydock nine go to post in the competitive-looking Group 3 J.W. Lees Stakes over seven furlongs. Beckermet hasn't won over seven while Major Cadeaux is respected but I'm siding with Appalachian Trail who did the business over course and distance three weeks ago and has something in hand over his rivals on both official ratings and Racing Post ratings.
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Tranquil Tiger (4/1) played up on the way to post but travelled sweetly in the race itself to go a couple of lengths clear two out. Regal Flush (2/1f) was beaten but 12/1 shot Samuel just wouldn't go away and collared the selection in the shadow of the post to win by one and three quarter lengths.
Caldra (15/2) was most disappointing, running no sort of race whatsoever and looking decidedly one-paced in the home straight, eventually finishing seventh of the nine runners. This horse will carry no more of my money. The one to take out of the race was Bankable, the 7/4 favourite. Several judges were ready to oppose him, and he got pretty warm before the off, but he showed his field a clean pair of heels from two out. In the post-race interview the trainer's wife, Sarah Cumani, told us that at home he was nicknamed 'Flat racing's Denman' on account of his size. Coral and Ladbrokes go just 2/1 he'll win the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot - no value there then!
The J.W.Lees Stakes looked a pretty rough affair with several of them encountering difficulty in running. Odds-on shot Major Cadeaux (10/11) won this well, especially as his saddle started to slip after two furlongs. Appalachian Trail (5/1) was stone last turning for home but made decent progress inside the final furlong without ever threatening to win; he was beaten half a length and a head into third.
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