A REAPPEARANCE third at Goodwood earlier this month after 242 days off should put MAGHLAAK (2.05, nap) spot-on for Friday's Tyldesley Handicap at Haydock.
The Charlie Hills-trained four-year-old ran well against proven rivals over a mile and a quarter in heavy conditions on the Sussex track before finishing three lengths behind the winner, Time Interval. And he races off an unchanged mark on Merseyside.
In his first season last year, the son of Muhaarar was third on debut before successful in novice races at both Kempton and Goodwood last summer.
My selection will enjoy the faster conditions on Friday and could take all the beating with Dane O'Neill in the saddle.
At Goodwood, first-time blinkers might make the difference to EHTEYAT's (5.20, nb) chances in the Goodwood Racehorse Owners Group Handicap over two miles.
The son of Toronado has improved greatly since a gelding operation, winning twice at Southwell over 1m6f and finishing runner-up at Lingfield over two miles in January, beaten only by a neck by First Emperor.
The George Boughey-trained four-year-old ran disappointedly back on turf at Ascot last time when fifth of eight, but that was on softer ground then we would like.
The blinkers should help my selection focus on Friday and he is fancied to be in the mix under William Buick.
FRIDAY'S SELECTIONS
BATH
1.40 AL TARFA
2.15 PINK LILY
2.50 MAYO NEIGHS
3.25 COUP DE FORCE
4.00 MISS MOONSHINE
4.30 NOTRE MAISON
5.05 FAIR AND SQUARE
5.35 REVOLUTIONARY MAN
GOODWOOD
1.50 DOUBLE JUMP
2.25 COME TOGETHER
3.00 ARAMINTA
3.35 LYNDON B
4.10 KLONDIKE
4.45 ANGLE LAND
5.20 EHTEYAT (NB)
HAYDOCK
2.05 MAGHLAAK (NAP)
2.40 ALWAYS LOVE YOU
3.15 MAKAROVA
3.50 FALLEN ANGEL
4.25 ZOUZANNA
5.00 AURORA DAWN
5.30 DOG FOX
PONTEFRACT
6.25 BROCTUNE RED
6.55 ONEFORSUE
7.25 EXPERT CHOICE
7.55 CREMA INGLESA
8.25 ABSOLUTE QUEEN
8.55 VINCE LOMBARDI
WORCESTER
5.40 OPENING BID
6.10 RAGAMUFFIN
6.40 THE GAMBLER
7.10 AJP KINGDOM
7.40 FINE BY HER
8.10 BARELY FAMOUS
8.40 BEAR A HAND
NEWSBOY'S DOUBLE: MAGHLAAK and EHTEYAT
