Paul Mulrennan column: inside track on my Saturday rides

The conditions are guaranteed to be testing at Haydock Park on Saturday, so an ability to handle soft, even heavy ground is likely to prove far more important than anything else.

I’ve managed to pick up the ride on Jer Batt (3.15pm) in the feature 0-105 five-furlong sprint. He’s consistent, and I know plenty about him having been in a few direct battles with American Affair. He finished runner-up off this mark (92) over C&D last time, also thwarting Jim Goldie’s runner in the Sky Bet Sunday Series here in early August. It isn’t easy to find spare rides of his calibre on a Saturday afternoon, so with David and Nicola Barron’s horses performing well, I’d be hopeful he’s positively involved.

I link up with local trainer Hugo Palmer for two rides, the pick of whom is Nariko (2.40pm). She moves up into a Class 3, from 7lb higher, on her return to action. However, the fact that she is already a soft-ground C&D winner is a bonus. She’ll handle conditions which counts for plenty.

One Eye Jack (2.05pm) is a Middleham Park Racing newcomer. He cost 85,000euros as a yearling and has a nice pedigree, being the first foal from a half-sister to various winners, principally Riven Light. There is a strong stamina influence in his family, so it will be nice to get him started and we can learn more before making plans.

I liked Phil Makin’s Impartiality (4.25pm) when I rode him on debut at Ayr. He’s a nice little horse who makes the switch to nurseries from a handy mark. He sports newly applied headgear, and this will be his first attempt on soft ground, so we’ll have to wait and see how things go.

I conclude on Goobinator (5.00pm) in the stayers’ handicap. Donald McCain’s 8yo struggled at Chester a fortnight ago. However, that was his first start since May, and he’s back on the same mark as when successful over 2m here in the Sky Bet Sunday Series in September 2021. I developed a positive rapport - form figures 214114 - with this capable dual-purpose performer a few years back, so look forward to renewing our partnership.

American Affair bypasses Haydock, and I understand he is set to receive his vaccinations next week, which will curtail his season. It wasn’t to be in the Ayr Gold Cup, with a slight bump exiting the stalls seeming to upset him. The net result being that he ran too free, consequently nowhere near his best. He’s a smart sprinter, so there’s much to look forward to next year.

Eve’s Boy was a good winner for Michael Dods and owner Allan McLuckie. He has a nice pedigree - should stay further - and can develop into a useful 3yo. Ayr was the plan for this season, he did what we thought he was going to do following on from his promising Carlisle debut.

Eternal Sunshine won her fifth race of the season when justifying favouritism on the opening day. Things didn’t go her way in the Bronze Cup the following day, but she’s done tremendously well overall, rising from a mark in the low 50’s into the 70’s. There’ll be more to come next season.

Dropping back to 1m2f didn’t work for Tafsir at Ayr, but she rectified matters winning over 1m4f at Hamilton on Monday. She is another to have notched five wins this year, rising 12-14lb in the weights. She came out on top of stablemate Soowaih, who should also be winning now that we’ve finally worked out his requirements.

For the short-term, seeking to identify a future winner, Drakeholes didn’t receive the breaks at Newcastle on Tuesday but should have opportunities to gain amends back there this autumn.