Rachel Candelora's top tips for Wednesday: Bronze can strike gold at Hamilton

It awesome to see Battaash come back to his very best in the Temple Stakes at Haydock on Saturday.

Yes, the small field race did set up for him as two of the fastest horses on the planet - Caspian Prince and Kachy - cut out the early running for him, but when Jim Crowley switched him out, he just cruised home easily over a brace of Group One winners in the field.

If he maintains this level of form during the season, he will be very exciting indeed.

Looking at the Oaks and Derby this weekend at Epsom - just think, when was the last time a two-runner race produced a potential Classic winner?

At Chelmsford in April, Maydaayih made an extremely impressive winning reappearance in a 0-85 3yo Fillies Handicap – when conceding 8lb to her rival - but the form was questionable.

However, with an impressive Cheshire Oaks success under her belt, that form may be worth a lot.

Connections have since supplemented her for the Oaks, and she looks like a filly who could give sire Frankel a first European Classic success.

In the Derby, Aidan O’Brien looks to have a ridiculously strong hand in his attempt to win a record-equaling seventh Epsom Derby.

Sir Dragonet – who has been supplemented for £85,000 – looks to be O’Brien’s strongest contender after his devastating win in the Chester Vase where he defeated stablemate Norway.

The concern with this twice-raced colt is whether the expected fast ground will suit, as both of his wins have been with serious cut in the ground.

Of the rest of the O’Brien runners, do not overlook Cape Of Good Hope at a general 33-1. He has winning form at Epsom with his Blue Riband Trial success and, being a full brother to Highland Reel and Idaho, is expected to improve for a step up in trip.

Also, both of his victories have been on good to firm and good ground, so the underfoot conditions will not be an issue.

Ran consistently on the all-weather over the winter winning three times at Newcastle over 6f, including last time out.

Returning to the turf today should be fine, as his one win on turf from 13 tries has been here over course and distance and his one turf run of the season so far resulted in a second over 6f at Redcar last month.

While 6f is his trip, he wants a stiff 6f, so returning to Hamilton today will suit. Also, as he has been performing to his best on the Tapeta surface at Newcastle, the expected good to soft conditions should be ideal.

This son of Arakan likes to be held up, but there is a lot of speed on paper on the stand’s side rail, so he should have pace to run at up the hill.

This 12-year-old veteran is making his 129th start today, and while the most recent of his 12 victories was back in 2017, he has not done much running since.

Bronze Beau returned to a bit a form last time out over course and distance when a neck second, after tacking across from an inside draw to get towards the stands side rail.

Today he has a better draw of 11 of 12, and this six-times course and distance winner is now making his third start off a year layoff, and should be fit and ready to make his presence felt.

Useful apprentice Connor Murtagh can claim 3lb off his back as he has only won 47 races in his career to date.

If ever a horse was aimed at specific race all year, then Man Of Steel will have been primed for this Cartmel Hunter Chase as he has won the past three renewals.

In fact, Man Of Steel has a perfect record of three runs, three wins at this Lake District racecourse.

This ten-year-old has won twice this year at Kingston Blount and Godstone before refusing at the last over four miles at Dingley last time out.

The talented Jack Andrews takes over from his sister Gina in the saddle and trainer Alan Hill will be expected to have Man Of Steel physically and mentally ready for his four-timer today.

This unexposed six-year-old looks to have been found an ideal opportunity, at his local track, by trainer James Moffatt.

Runner-up in an Irish point-to-point last summer, he won on debut under rules at Uttoxeter in November and he now looks set to have every chance in his first foray into handicap company.

I am not too worried that he is coming here off a five-month break as it is quite likely that the trainer has had this local target on his mind for some time.