Haydock Horse Racing Tips

Steel An Icon has been in the form of her life this season for Mick Channon and warrants respect in this field. However, AUTUMN WAR finished fifth in the Northumberland Vase at Newcastle last month and will appreciate this ease in grade. The six-year-old has shown his best form on the all-weather but could have more to offer back on turf. Noonday Gun has been posting some encouraging runs and remains unexposed as a stayer.

Skittlebombz didn't quite live up to expectations at Ayr when well fancied for Tom Dascombe earlier this month but he could step forward here. GREAT HAVANA is another one who is likely to have learnt from his fifth-placed effort at Newmarket on debut, making eye-catching progress late on, and he gets the nod to break his maiden tag. Mitbaahy is also respected for Roger Varian, while Muveran might fare best of the newcomers.

Several of these have already met this season but a chance is taken DREAM TOGETHER for Jedd O'Keeffe. The four-year-old has produced his best form on quicker ground, with a win at Thirsk earlier this season, and he should get a drier surface here. Kapono could be the main danger following his third-placed effort at this course behind the in-form Mr Wagyu. Dewey Road is another to note as he takes on his elders after a break since last November.

Michael Dods has his string in decent form and Twist Of Hay has just her second start following a wind operation. She didn't have the best of runs when fifth at Carlisle last time out in a better race and could well get involved in first-time cheekpieces. Impressor tries blinkers as he is dropped in class and the four-year-old could surprise, but SENECA CHIEF looks the one to side with. His last run at Yarmouth can be ignored and his second at Sandown in June, where he was beaten half a length in a better race off 1lb higher, gives him strong credentials.

Not a single winner in this field but there is every chance that LUCKY SHAKE can get off the mark at the fifth attempt following a solid third at Lingfield on soft ground in late June. She has faded late on even over the minimum trip there but could do better as she learns to settle, and has a solid chance of success now. Emporium Flame and Grand Bobby may be the ones fight it out for the places in a race that won't take too much winning.

Baradar hasn't been seen since placing in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes at Doncaster. The Roger Varian-trained colt demands plenty of respect but may want more testing conditions than these. With that in mind, marginal preference is for the Frankel colt, FIVETHOUSANDTOONE, who despised the heavy ground when finishing last of 15 in the Commonwealth Cup. The return to a sounder surface should suit and he could be sharper for that reappearance. Mutasaabeq was all the rage after winning impressively at Newmarket in April but has failed to live up to that excitement. He wasn't disgraced in the 2000 Guineas and never looked comfortable in the Jersey Stakes, so he'll need to bounce back.

NINE TALES showed plenty of promise on his sole start, finishing second at Kempton 247 days ago behind a progressive rival who's now rated 106. The Kingman colt was an expensive purchase and gets the vote to hit the ground running this campaign. Marie Antoinette has been tough to keep out of the frame on her two outings and the Ed Walker-trained filly, who's also by Kingman, merits consideration. Adabbah is a sister to Ten Sovereigns and the 320,000gns purchase completes the shortlist.

IRV hit the line with plenty of conviction when hanging left in a tougher contest at York seven days ago. The five-year-old runs off the same mark and may take all the beating now stepping into calmer waters. Mustaqbal posted an underwhelming effort on his reappearance in May, but returns to his last winning mark and merits consideration. Little Ted took a step forward to place in a similar contest at Carlisle last month and it would be no surprise to see him strike off this mark in the near future.