NEWBURY

4.45pm Newbury: Society Lion is the obvious favourite I suppose, given that he had Mishriff in behind when winning at Yarmouth last season, but I like Johan providing the ground doesn’t get too soft. I was impressed with him in his two novice wins and I am willing to forgive him his run on soft ground when stepped up in class for the Group 3 Autumn Stakes. A mark of 88 is not simple here but I like the horse.

5.25pm Newbury: if Blue Mist reproduces the form of his Ascot third to Raising Sand then I think he will take plenty of beating. Quite simply I think he is the best horse in that race on that effort, and he has a good record when fresh, so hopefully he will be ready to go. He is a Makfi, so a bit of ease would suit him.

5.55pm Newbury: Sleeping Lion is a horse I obviously know very well. He went up 3lb for his Mallard win for me, but I still think he is better than his revised mark. I think he will be straight enough here – he ran well first time up last season and it is June now, so trainers have had plenty of time to get their horses fit – and the step down in trip shouldn’t be an issue with a pace to aim at. He wouldn’t want it to get too soft; I imagine he may not run if it got testing.

6.30pm Newbury: Moll Davis obviously didn’t get the run of the race when fourth at Newcastle, and her connections will be hoping that Newbury sees plenty more rain. She is a little rocket on soft ground – she has a pronounced knee action – and would expect her to be very hard to beat if she gets her conditions.

CURRAGH

4.40pm Curragh: It is obviously a very tricky maiden to call but Aidan’s Serpentine, with Seamie on, may be the answer. He didn’t show a lot at Galway last season but he is a Galileo and a brother to a few good winners, and you can expect him to step forward a good deal at three. It could also be very significant that he was left in Ascot’s King Edward VII Stakes on Wednesday.

5.10pm Curragh: Dark Vader shaped okay over 7f in a Listed race at Leopardstown earlier in the week and I think there could still be some mileage in his handicap mark, with the step back down to 6f a potential plus, too.

5.40pm Curragh: Now, this 3yo 7f handicap does look very hard to solve, but the most lightly-raced of the lot. Siamese, could be the most interesting. Her stable are having a quiet time of it so far, but this filly was impressive in winning at Dundalk last year and has a nice pedigree. A mark of 91 doesn’t look too generous, but she could be up to this.

6.10pm Curragh: I will keep it simple and side with the form horse in the Gallinule. Mythical can boast the best form in here courtesy of his Group 1 Saint-Cloud third and, although conditions will be very different here, he will do for me.

6.40pm Curragh: Siskin is obviously the form horse in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, and he looked a very good horse in the Railway Stakes and the Phoenix here. But he could have troubles from his draw in two and I also have reservations about him staying a mile. There is a big, big difference from doing it over 6f, and then stepping up to a mile here. I would take a chance with Lope Y Fernandez, who chased home Pinatubo in the Chesham, won his Group 3 here and then wasn’t disgraced in the Middle Park. I can see the mile suiting him.