RACE PREVIEWS & TIPS (FRIDAY)

14:20 Sandown The fantastically named Allied World Dragon stakes is a listed contest for two-year-olds ran over the minimum trip of 5f and it contains a number of promising speedsters in the lineup. Charlie Appleby looks to hold the key to this one with his impressive colt Roussel. The horse was beaten a neck in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot by his stable mate Sound and Silence. The two pulled well clear of the rest that day and he only just failed to get up in the closing stages. That form is the strongest in this field by far, and he gets the confident nod to go one better this afternoon. Roger Varian’s To Wafij rates the main danger and similar to the selection, he has one win and a second to his name, but those were at a lower level and he may struggle to match the selection. The Mark Johnston trained Rebel Assault and Tom Dascombe’s Formidable Kitt rate the other dangers. ROUSSEL (WIN) – NAP

19:20 Haydock The evening offering from Haydock Park looks highly competitive, but the Betfred Super League Handicap looks a good opportunity for the in-form David O’Meara team to enhance their recent record. They send last time out winner Lincoln Rocks here for this Class 3 handicap ran over a mile having bypassed a similar contest at Hamilton on Monday, where the ground went too soft for it. There was a lot to like about the manner of the Rock of Gibraltar filly’s battling victory at Musselburgh back in June and this looks like a perfect chance to follow up with conditions ideal so she gets the nod. Charlie Hills’ Dubawi gelding Alnashama has definite talent and some nice form in the book so he rates the main danger to the selection with Callum Shepherd taking off a valuable three pounds. LINCOLN ROCKS (WIN)