Johnston's colt can take his Goodwood form north

Bound to go off at double-digit odds in the 17-runner cash bonanza, Baan, a flashy chestnut with plenty of white dotted about his body, won't be difficult to spot as the big field hurtles up the home straight.

And for readers of this column I sincerely hope he'll be at the head of affairs, a scenario which is far from just a misty-eyed daydream given his excellent effort at Glorious Goodwood last time out.

On that occasion Baan was racing over a mile-and-a-half, a distance he patently didn't stay because having looked like being involved at the furlong pole, Mark Johnston's colt then stopped as if shot in the closing stages.

This afternoon's slightly shorter trip appears tailor-made for the diminutive yet gutsy three-year-old, who what he lacks in size, certainly makes up for in the determination department.

With a plethora of runners Johnston is sure to notch his 13th consecutive domestic century this weekend, especially as Baan's fellow Haydock raider, Road To Love, seems booked for another visit to the winners' circle.

Road To Love was also on duty at Goodwood, however he didn't run out of petrol when storming to an all-the-way success in the valuable Ladbrokes.com Handicap.

A step up to Group 3 company was inevitable and the £75,000 Rose of Lancaster Stakes is potentially at Road To Love's mercy, provided he maintains his current meteoric improvement.

In the opening Malcolm Prescott Handicap, Racing North ten-to-follow fans can look forward to a good run from Rio Riva (1.40).

With our list currently £12.33 in profit thanks to recent victories by Borderlescott and Crosspreace, a top up to the kitty would be handy in order to help ensure we finish the season with money in the bank.

Although Rio Riva has failed to follow up his earlier 9-1 Redcar romp, there's a valid excuse since when he ran at Newcastle last time the contest was more like all-in wrestling than a horse race.

Given a less rough passage in which the others don't play dirty, Julie Camacho's four-year-old undoubtedly has the firepower to gun down his rivals and claim the £16,192 first prize.

Ascot stage the Shergar Cup, a meeting in which foreign jockeys are invited to form a Rest of the World team to take on a bunch of riders from Great Britain & Ireland.

It's a bit of gimmick rather than a blast, nonetheless at least this year two leading lady riders, the Canadian Emma-Jayne Wilson, plus our own Hayley Turner, have been recruited to change what has become a somewhat tired format.

The home team's captain, Jamie Spencer, has been handed the ideal opportunity to get off to a flyer aboard Richard Fahey's Tagula Sunrise (1.20) in the opener.

Despite only finishing fifth on her latest York start, the evidence of the clock reveals she actually put up a significantly better performance in defeat, compared to her previous handicap victory at Ayr.

Opposing skipper, the irrepressible Frankie Dettori, is expected to hit straight back in the second by steering Doctor Brown (1.55) to success.

Brian Meehan's colt made an imperious Leicester debut when leaving the opposition for dead to score by five lengths. On that evidence Doctor Brown looks something special and should not be opposed without good reason.

Kevin Ryan bids to get in on the act by sending down King Orchisios (2.30) for the six furlong Sprint Cup.

The application of cheek pieces prior to his latest short-head Haydock win lent some credence to the theory King Orchisios isn't what you would call a straightforward conveyance.

It may be so, but then many really good horses have kinks and even though the three-year-old might be keeping something in the locker for himself, he might still possess enough raw talent to scoop his biggest prize to date.

Finally to Newmarket where easily the most informative two-year-old fillies event of the year so far takes place in the shape of the Group 3 Sweet Solara Stakes.

English Ballet, Italian Girl, and Princess Taise, all defend unbeaten records, while Precocious Star (3.10) is out to prove her latest high-class Sandown run was no fluke.

"It isn't the strongest Group 3 so we thought we'd better have a crack. She's a progressive and lovely filly," said Middleham trainer, Karl Burke.