Dave Nevison's Saturday tips: 16-1 chance catches the eye

This mile handicap invariably goes to a contender at the front of the market, and with Ryan Moore booked, Michael Bell’s recent arrival Greek Order will definitely be amongst the favourites. 

It didn’t go brilliantly for this former Harry and Roger Charlton-trained five-year-old over in America, but Greek Order signalled all was certainly not lost when returning to these shores in the Royal Hunt Cup last time.

He finished fourth behind the thrown-in favourite My Cloud, but was second on his side of the track, and only gave best close home. He broke his maiden in a handicap over this course and distance and ran very well at Listed level before he left for America. 

Hopefully he has had long enough to get over his Ascot exertions and won’t bounce here. If he doesn’t, he has a great chance. 

Unlike the race mentioned above, the bet365 Old Newton Cup at Haydock is often won by a bigger-priced outsider, and bottom weight Sportingsilvermine is my fancy to run well at a price, with bookies offering up to six places. 

James Owen’s runners are still going very well and although this four-year-old has been a beaten short-priced favourite on his past two starts, he probably still shouldn’t have been dropped a pound in the weights, so could still be well weighted. 

The trip was too far for him on his penultimate start and he was held up in a small field, and slowly-run affair, at Lingfield last time out. Three runs ago he finished an excellent second behind Small Fry, a gambled on “blot” of the Moore’s, who quickly went on to score again. 

He showed he can go well for an apprentice on that occasion and the booking of Warren Fentiman, with his 5lb allowance, looks a smart move here. 

Sportingsilvermine shouldn’t be 16-1 in this field, and I expect to see support. 

Paul Midgley has had three sprint winners from his past ten runners, at the time of writing, and his team of handicapper’s have certainly hit form. 

Tiriac is a typical type for the yard in that he was picked up relatively cheaply (£20,000) having run below his best for a while. He has had just two runs for Midgley and caught the eye significantly when staying on over the minimum trip at Beverley last time. 

He won twice on flat tracks last season and should be suited by Haydock, but will most definitely be suited by a return to six furlongs here.  

Best Adventure is the only contender in this 0-105 handicap who even finished in the frame last time out, which might be some sort of record for such a high-grade contest. 

Andrew Balding’s charge won over course and distance last time out (his second win this season) and looks to be on the up, plus is surely capable of scoring again having been raised just 6lb for that comfortable two-length victory. 

The four-year-old may well have benefited from the application of a tongue tie, which he wears again here, and with Joe Fanning in the saddle, and largely below form rivals in opposition, his chance is clear.