Saturday horses to follow: Katie Midwinter looks ahead to Haydock

In the Group Three Superior Mile Stakes, last year's runner-up Prague makes appeal considering he's available at odds of 7-1 and 10-1 with various firms for Dylan Cunha.

Rated 109 currently, the son of Galileo proved his credentials in this contest twelve months ago when narrowly denied by the talented Holloway Boy, sent off as favourite for the contest. He went on to record a convincing success over a subsequent Group Two winner, the sadly ill-fated Poker Face, as well as the reopposing Ice Max in a Newmarket Group Two in soft ground, which bodes well for his chances in likely easier conditions than he has encountered so far during his current campaign.

Whilst the five-year-old will need to return to form having failed to show the best of his ability in three stars in recent months, he was seen to best effect during this month in 2024, and recorded his greatest achievement to date in more testing conditions, which makes him one to consider seriously on his return to Haydock.

Six-year-old gelding Adjuvant will make his 25th career start should he line up in this mile-and-three-quarter handicap, rated 1lb lower than his previous winning mark.

The strong stayer made a pleasing return to action following a 287-day break when last seen at Goodwood recently, beaten only a length-and-a-quarter by the progressive Prince Of The Seas, staying on strongly in the closing stages over the mile-and-a-half trip.

In this tougher test of stamina, Adjuvant should thrive for Michael Bell, capable of putting in a competitive effort based on some of the form he has shown previously, including when second to Sweet William in a heavy ground handicap. Softer conditions should suit and he has run well over this course-and-distance at this meeting in the past from a higher mark. 

Another interesting contender in the open staying contest is Andrew Balding-trained Anzac Day, who is completely unexposed following only five career runs.

The son of Australia landed his maiden in fine style by five-lengths to beat the likes of now 92-rated all-weather performer Tribal Star and 92-rated Sea The Thunder at Newmarket as a juvenile, subsequently gelded and absent for 544 days before making his return as a four-year-old in the spring. 

Anzac Day was disqualified on reappearance over a mile-and-a-half at Kempton after his rider Oisin Murphy weighed in light, and was then equipped with first-time cheekpieces in his following start at Goodwood when a staying on fifth behind French Master in his first try at the 1m6f distance.

Unable to give his true running at Chelmsford in his latest start, when reported to have struggled with the kick back, Anzac Day is an intriguing contender from a mark of 84 should he make the final line-up. He's a half-brother to a Listed mile-and-a-half winner in Merveillo, out of a half-sister to Grade One winning middle distance performer Ectot in Merville, and, with class and stamina in his pedigree, could prove better than his current mark suggests over these staying distances.

A winner of a soft ground Sandy Lane Stakes over course-and-distance last year, Kevin Ryan-trained Inisherin went on to record Group One success in the Commonwealth Cup following his convincing victory at Haydock. He couldn't make an impression in this contest on his following start, however, despite being sent off as the [5/2] favourite, and has struggled for consistency since, but still has the talent to pose a threat if on a going day.

Following wind surgery in the sprint, the four-year-old returned to form in the Duke Of York Stakes, beating subsequent Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes third Flora Of Bermuda, with Nunthorpe fourth Night Raider in third. In his penultimate start, Inisherin finished seventh at Royal Ascot, failing to build on his reappearance effort, before being well beaten in the Prix Maurice de Gheest, which also featured Lazzat, running a solo race on the rail but unable to sustain his challenge.

Whilst a leap of faith is required, it could prove worth sticking with this talented colt, who has proven course form in softer conditions in his favour. He also stays further than this sprint distance, having beaten hugely talented filly Kalpana to land his maiden over a mile last year, before going on to perform with credit behind Notable Speech in the 2000 Guineas, and is a versatile performer with plenty of speed too.

One of the highest rated contenders in the field from a rating of 115, 2lb below his highest mark to date, Inisherin has enough quality to make his presence felt in this field, in an open division at generous double-figure odds.