Ross Millar's York tips: "I'm expecting a big performance"

With plenty of juvenile action at York, this week's Juvenile Watch will be broken down into three editions.

Part one looking at two competitive races on Wednesday. 

Haffner is a fine-looking, imposing colt. Having shown plenty of promise in his debut over six furlongs at the Curragh, he then duly showed improvement when stepped up to seven furlongs on his next start in a competitive looking maiden at Newmarket, despite hanging left in the closing stages. 

Given his size, I'm not sure the good to firm ground, and the unique layout of the Newmarket track, were to his benefit, and, while the ground wasn't as fast at Goodwood last time out, I was of the view that we still didn't see the best of him in the Coral Vintage Stakes. He still performed well chasing by chasing home a talented winner in Dr Rascal, though.

The flat, fair track at York, coupled with the fact that finally some rain has taken the 'firm' out of the going description, should offer him far more suitable conditions, and I'm expecting a big performance.

Selection: Haffner.

I flagged Henley On Thames after his third run in the 'Nursery Time' section of this column, suggesting a step up to six furlongs would see him improve. Since then, he's landed a Hamilton maiden in good style over that trip, yet his opening mark of 79 remains unaltered, which is pleasing. 

That win came in a small field of just five runners, but he's got good experience behind him and, given his first three runs were over the minimum trip, he should be able to cope with the likely strong early pace. 

He powered home at Hamilton and, granted a clear run, I believe this opening mark underestimates his true ability. The form of his yard, who are without a winner for 17 days from eleven runners, would be of some concern, though.

Selection: Henley On Thames.