Haydock and Leopardstown - Saturday 9th Sepember

At this time of the season my thoughts always turn towards the Autumn schedule of races and the flat season draws to a close. The season has been one of shear delight, Frankel the machine, the Aussie raiders Ortensia and Black Caviar, the old timers like Borderlescott rolling back the years and of course the potential triple crown winner Camelot have all made this a season to remember. I am particularly looking forward to my annual trip to Paris once again, where (in my opinion) the greatest 1m 4f race is staged each year. This is where the real grit, strength, speed and bravery are put to the test. Culminating in a jockeys pose, timimg and again bravery to land this cuveted prize. The Prix de la Arc de Triomphe! On with the card... Haydock 1.45pm 1m Betfred Stakes (Listed) Excellent prospects going into next season for these juveniles and some have made more appeal than others on what they have shown so far. HAVANA GOLD looks the most progressive type and was very unlucky at Deauville last time out when Ryan Moore was unseated from the saddle. This colt is related to the very smart Teofilo and will progress over the next year. A classy colt with a big future in my eyes. 2.15pm 5f Betfred Handicap (Class 2) A solid enough handicap here with fifteen going to post. The trend here in the lst three years have shown low draws have the advantage in this tricky handicap. Tax Free looks like he's returning to the force of old but being a ten year old who has been on the go quite a bit this year. Consequently, my selection is a lively outsider Kevin Ryan's stable at present is in terrific order and LEXIS HERO has fallen down the handicap slowly but is definitely off a workable mark here. He seems to enjoy a big handicap, will enjoy the ground, has a plum draw and the inform Graeme Lee in the saddle who has been so impressive changing codes this year. If LEXIS HERO can replicate his run at York to land the Bond Tyres Handicap last year then im sure he'll be in with a squeak at a good each way price. 3.25pm 6f Betfred Sprint Cup (Group 1) BATED BREATH not only is he one of my favourite sprinters in the last two years and boy would I love him to land this Group 1 prize. Today at Haydock he has the ground he likes, is drawn next to Es Que Love who could help with the pace early on and he is very consistent particularly at this track, I'll have him to win. With such a big handicap it would be silly not to find some value and I think I have in the shape of two others. Firstly, WHIZZ KID has a great chance if running up to a similar mark as when she ran close behind Deacon Blues last October. She didnt disgrace herself behind Moonlight Cloud last time and at 11/1 is a great each way shout. I also like the other Roger Charlton runner GENKI has won of a mark of 111 and for me replicating some of his form from Newcastle and Newmarket puts him in with a squeak. Obviously he hasnt shown anything like that recently but at 66/1 coming from a draw close to Whizz Kid and Ortensia, a horse that likes the ground and has course an distance form looks to be worth a few quid each way. Leopardstown 4.40pm 1m Fillies (Group 1) Classy bunch of fillies line up here and I think the ground and track will suit CHAICHAMAIDEE got a soft spot for the filly and an even more softer spot for the trainer Sir Henry Cecil. I backed this horse at Goodwood last month and she won the Lennox Stakes in terrific fashion. If Tom Queally can deliver her late again as he did at Goodwood I believe she will be hard to pin back in the finish. 5.45pm 1m 2f Red Mills Champion Stakes A truly awesome spectacle is in prospect here. All have chances although the Bolger trained horse and Daddy Long Legs of O'Briens looks like they both have alot to find. My tip here is the mighty mare a truly gutsy, heroic and beautiful looking filly in my opinion and thats SNOW FAIRY she is nothing but a heroine and after her awesome comeback run at Deauville I believe even more is to come. She will enjoy the ground I still believe the mile and a half is her best trip but a gutsy performance is definitely in the offing. Would love to see her win again. Good Luck if your having a punt!