The globe-trotting Yavana's Pace can show he is still a serious force at the age of eight by winning today's Barry Case Plant Hire John Porter Stakes at Haydock. Mark Johnston's charge was at the other side of the world over the winter competing in the Melbourne Cup in Australia and more recently the Dubai Sheema Classic at Nad Al Sheba.
Although out of luck on his latest travels, he is a tip-top performer on his day and can score on his doorstep by taking this Group Three event. Yavana's Pace had a successful 1999 nearer home, winning three races including the Group Three Victor Chandler September Stakes at Epsom.
Culzean, fifth to John Ferneley in the Worthington Lincoln at Doncaster, can finally gain compensation in the Cheadle Hulme Classified Stakes.
Richard Hannon's four-year-old missed a tempting engagement at Brighton a week ago to wait for last Saturday's Tote Spring Cup at Newbury, but that plan was ruined when the meeting was rained off.
But the Marlborough trainer has found a suitable alternative for Culzean, who is also likely to be suited by a step up from a mile to an extended 10 furlongs.
Hannon can also take the Field Marshal Stakes with Watching, who made odds-on Sir Nicholas fight all the way for a neck verdict at Leicester two weeks ago.
And Criss Cross can give Hannon a treble in the Haydock Park Annual Badgeholders Maiden Stakes.
Amanda Perrett enjoyed her first Group success of her training career with Indian Lodge at Newmarket this week, and Ban- galore can give her another big race success in the betsov.com Queen's Prize (Showcase Handicap) at Kempton, weather permitting.
The four-year-old had good form on the level last term when trained by Barry Hills. Although untried over two miles, his style of running suggests that it is well within his compass.
Over jumps at Carlisle, Hugo de Grez looks an outstanding bet in the Quilter Novices' Chase over three and a quarter miles.
The five-year-old, trained by Colin Parker, showed that stamina was his forte when he stayed on strongly to beat Kingsmark by six lengths over this course and distance three weeks ago.
Hugo de Grez had shown his liking for the track when winning a handicap chase over the extended two and a half miles on heavy ground in February. He can complete the hat-trick.
Champion trainer Martin Pipe can continue his love affair at Plumpton with a double courtesy of Sharp Temper in the Rotary Club of Cuckfield & Lindfield Classified Hurdle and Enivrant in the Sussex Spring Handicap Chase.
