It will take less than a minute it win it, but what a fascinating race this afternoon's betfred.com Temple Stakes is at Haydock, due off at 3pm.

Many people will be looking at Group 1 winner Tangerine Trees who impressed his trainer Bryan Smart in a gallop last Saturday at Thirsk, but with his four pound penalty for last year's successes I'm happy to look elsewhere.

Last year's winner Sole Power commands the upmost respect with champion jockey Paul Hanagan riding for the first time while Kevin Ryan has the very quick Mazamah under Jamie Spencer and Royal Ascot winner Bapak Chinta, who has to prove he has trained on this season, the mount of Philip Makin.

My selection for the race will be Bated Breath who had a very frustrating season last year, just getting touched of in the July Cup and the Betfred Sprint.

The five-year-old, trained by Rodger Charlton, has still the chance to prove himself at the very top level and this looks an ideal opportunity to get his season underway.

Drawn in stall two, George Baker takes the ride and with any sort of luck deserves to get his head in front.

"The ground will be good and fast, so I can't make any excuses there. He looks terrifically well and I think he's fit enough," said Charlton.

"Although he's never won over five furlongs, he's got plenty of speed.

"I think it's a starting point for him and it will tell us whether the King's Stand is a possible, just in case we need to duck whatever that filly is called in Australia (Black Caviar)!

"George rides out for me regularly and I'm pleased to use him - he's a very good jockey."

It might only be a week from the Investec Derby but Jim Bolger still wants to run his start colt Parish Hall in next week's classic as well as taking his chance in today's Abu Dhabi Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh.

Last year's shock Dewhurst Stakes winner bypassed the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket earlier this month due to the rain-softened ground, but trainer Jim Bolger is intent on making up for it over the next week.

"I'd have gone for the Newmarket Guineas. That was the plan initially but the ground was not suitable," said Bolger.

"We have only one week between both races so we will have to see how he comes out of it.

"But he is a fairly hardy horse and I am expecting him to be fine after his run at the Curragh.

"I hope he wins at the Curragh. I think he is good enough to win a Classic - I would not mind if it was on Saturday.

"He will really come into his own when he gets 10 furlongs and a mile and a half. He is the first foal of the dam.

"I shouldn't have huge expectations but he is already a Group One winner. I hope he can build on Saturday's run.

"I am very keen to get him to Epsom - if I thought the horse was well, I'd give it a go."

With the sun out at present, York's seven-race card this afternoon is sure to well supported, as there is some quality races.

My nap of the day runs in the 4.50pm in the shape of Pea Shooter. Trained by Kevin Ryan, the three-year-old was so impressive when winning over course and distance last year.

He ran well over six furlongs last week at Newmarket and will improve back at the minimum trip.

Interesting his jockey Philip Makin his flying over from Haydock for the ride on Pea Shooter, hopefully both his plane and Pea Shooter will take off on time!