Mitchum Swagger – Haydock 15:00
Provided the likes of First Selection and Custom Cut make this a good test of stamina, Mitchum Swagger should be hard to beat.
He should have got off the mark for the season last time at Chelmsford over seven furlongs, but was unsuited by the test of speed that the five-runner race provided, and caught the eye finishing strongly inside the final furlong.
The return to a mile and this bigger field will suit him, and he can deservedly gain a first success at Group level. A repeat of his performance in the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot (when third to Portage) should be enough to take this contest from a Timeform ratings perspective.
Dancing Star – Haydock 16:30
Twilight Son stepped up from handicap company to win this race as a three-year-old last season. And Dancing Star, who has a similar profile may be able to do the same in this year’s renewal.
She continued her rapid progression up the ranks when winning what looked a strong renewal of the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood last time. The way she landed one of the season’s hottest handicaps with such authority was impressive.
With more improvement to come, she can take this step up in class in her stride to make it five wins from six starts this season.