DOUBLE HANDFUL

TODAY is a day for exposing flesh to the sun, eating charred chicken and drinking excessive amounts of booze. Or in my case, just another typical day.

The aim is to unearth the winner of the Temple Stakes to finance all the BBQ steaks I intend to tuck away and wash down with something fizzy.

I’ve been working on a solution to this problem and feel the answer is to back

GOLDREAM each-way in the Haydock feature. Today’s favourite,

Washington DC, finished ahead of five of today’s rivals including Goldream, Kachy, Priceless, Alpha Delphini and Thesme, when runner-up to Marsha in the Group 3 Palace House last time out.

But Aidan O’brien’s four-year-old was only just a length ahead of Goldream, who put in his best performance in quite some time.

I’ve watched several replays of the race since, each time trying to convince myself that Goldream can reverse the form with Washington DC.

I can report — I’ve succeeded.

Trainer Robert Cowell has been in fine fettle, saddling a number of winners in recent days.

And if this eight-year-old is sharper for his last run, then he can improve on last year’s third place.

Hopefully, by two places.

Having won Group 1s in the King’s Stand over five furlongs on good to firm ground at Royal Ascot and then the Prix de l’abbaye at Longchamp two years ago, we know that Goldream has the class and is still young enough to triumph here. Washington DC has only won once in 11 starts and when you consider he’s 7-2 compared to Goldream, at an ample 8-1, you’ve got to feel the value lies in the Cowell camp.

Quiet Reflection is a class act but she clearly prefers softer ground, gives weight away and lacks a run against race-fit rivals. Waady is another who would prefer it softer underfoot.

One to watch is Take Cover, who might be entering the veteran status of his career at 10, but was in fine form last season when winning the King George Stakes.

“Eat your betting money but don’t bet your eating money.” - old horseracing proverb