There's high-class racing wherever you look across the UK and Ireland this afternoon and no shortage of short-price favourites for punters to be getting stuck into if that's the way they desire to go.
Personally, Willem Twee is a fascinating runner in the Fever-Tree Handicap (4.55) at Ascot. James Fanshawe has made it no secret he holds this horse in high regard and the fact he's put him in the Group 1 Champions Sprint next month surely suggests they think he's well-handicapped off 95.
The progressive Dark Trooper must be respected after success in the Shergar Cup four weeks ago, but Ed Walker's charge is now 8lb higher and Willem Twee looked equally progressive when last seen 339 days back.
The son of Ribchester lost little in defeat when runner-up to the now 107-rated Mutafawwig in a conditions event at Kempton and that effort is easily upgraded given he was poorly in with the majority of his rivals at the weights.
There could be plenty more to come from him as well on this first outing since being gelded and a mark 95 may well prove workable.
Selection: Willem Twee – General 4/1
Earlier on the card, the bet365 Handicap (2.35) makes plenty of appeal from an each-way betting angle.
Star Of Orion has been in good form this season and he looks well worth a bet at the current prices.
People are probably sick of hearing what good form Ralph Beckett is in at present but until he stops firing in the winner's left, right and centre, it remains an important factor. The Kimpton Downs-based handler is still operating at a staggering 28% for the last 14 days and his five-year-old son of Footstepsinthesand may be capable of giving him another big Saturday winner.
He scored readily at Newmarket (July Course) three starts ago and did little wrong when third behind Baradar in the International over course and distance on King George Day. The ground was probably too soft for him when he bumped into a well-handicapped course specialist at Goodwood last time, but it remained a solid effort off this mark and the return to today's conditions will certainly suit.
Laura Pearson gets back onboard for the first time since the pair went down narrowly in the 2021 International here and I'm expecting a bold showing from what could prove a favourable draw in stall eight.
Selection: Star Of Orion – General 7/1
The Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown (3.20) looks like an absolutely cracking renewal once more and it's to make a case for most.
King Of Steel looks solid dropping back to a mile and a quarter after finishing third in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July, while you couldn't rule out Auguste Rodin bouncing back from his flop in the aforementioned event for the maestro of Ballydoyle. However, if there's one horse who remains open to significant improvement then surely, it's Alflaila.
The son of Dark Angel was off the track for 294 days after suffering a setback in Bahrain but showed no signs of that affecting him when striding clear of some smart race-fit rivals in the Group 2 Sky Bet York Stakes. He may have only finished half a length clear of My Prospero at the line but in all truth, the result never looked in doubt from the furlong pole and the Shadwell-owned colt was in command at the finish.
An official rating of 120 leaves him with something to find stepping up into Group 1 company for the first time this afternoon but with further progress on the cards, it's certainly possible he can make a splash against the big guns.
He was a big drifter before the off at York and it's probably fair to assume connections were expecting him to need to run. With that in mind, he should naturally take a decent step forward this afternoon and the genuine pace should be right up his street given his potent turn of foot is best played late on.
Owen Burrows is no stranger to top-level success with horses that improve steadily. Hukum and Anmaat have both proved that in recent starts and Alflaila can provide Shadwell with yet another Group 1 winner at Leopardstown this afternoon.
Selection: Alflaila – General 6/1
We head to Thirsk for our fourth and final wager. I'm not surprised there's been money around for Straight A this morning in the opening BresBet: Back To Bookmaking Nursery (2.05) and he should take some stopping down in class.
Harry Eustace's charge looked like a nice prospect when winning a Yarmouth novice event on his second start and had a legitimate excuse when well beaten on soft ground at Doncaster next time.
The return to quicker conditions saw him turn in a much better performance when seventh in a highly-competitive Class 2 nursery at York's Ebor meeting last month. He was only beaten just under three lengths that day and kept on as though the step up to a mile this afternoon would really suit.
The form of that York contest has already taken a few boosts with the runner-up scoring since and the third-placed horse going on to finish second in the Group 3 Solario Stakes at Sandown. The fourth home that day has also won next-time-out to give the form a really solid look.
An unchanged mark of 77 will pose no issues for Harry Eustace's son of Aclaim and he can make the journey to Thirsk a worthwhile one by doubling his career tally.
Selection: Straight A – General 5/2
