Paisley’s designs on glory

IN Haydock this afternoon, we have another opportunity to see a young horse who promises to be a bluechip chaser of the future.

Paisley Park faces a tough test to give 12lb to favourite First Assignment in the Betfair Exchange Stayers’ Handicap Hurdle.

But Emma Lavelle’s imposing six-year-old demonstrated significant progress to win a decent handicap off top weight at Aintree last month.

First Assignment has caught the imagination, and attracted the money, of many by delivering twice at Cheltenham already this season – yet in Paisley Park, he may well meet his match.

Ascot plays a high-class second fiddle to Haydock by staging both the Coral Hurdle and the Christy 1965 Chase, both coveted Grade Two prizes.

And Benatar may be worth chancing in the latter.

Gary Moore pulled the six-year-old out of last weekend’s Betvictor

Gold Cup, and instead won that famous handicap with Baron

Alco.

He quickly nominated this race as Benatar’s next option - and although he will have to improve to win, and overcome his unwelcome tendency to pull too hard at times, the King George entry can signal a successful season ahead.

Contrive can continue a golden autumn by winning for the third time in her last four runs in the Ladbrokes Bet £5

Get £20 EBF Fillies’ Handicap at Lingfield.

Roger Varian’s threeyear-old turned the corner when scoring over this mile in early October and has been a close second at Newmarket and successful at Kempton in two subsequent starts.

A total rise of 9lb in that spell may not stop Contrive from carrying on the good work.