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I’M on ENCORE D’OR (4.05) in the Armstrong Aggregates Temple Stakes at Haydock today.

It is a massive step up in grade for the gelded son of top sprinter Oasis Dream, pictured, as he has been doing all of his winning recently in all-weather handicaps.

I believe there is not much difference, however, between handicappers and Listed/Group Three performers in Britain and he should have the race run to suit.

Trailblazer Take Cover is drawn nearby in stall five, and Thesme is another who likes to race prominently and she is on our other side in stall two, so we definitely should get something to aim at.

Suit

If I had to choose to ride another in the race then I’d probably choose either Washington DC, who will also have the race run to suit, or Robert Cowell’s other runner Goldream.

I thought Goldream ran an eye-catching race when third behind Marsha and Washington DC in the Palace House Stakes at Newmarket and he looks better than last season.

We do not know how much rain we are going to get at Haydock, or if we get any at all, so it is hard to know what we are going to see from Quiet Reflection, if indeed she runs at all. From what trainer Karl Burke has said recently, she hasn’t had the best of preparations.

Of all my rides this weekend it is SILENT ECHO (5.40) I’m looking forward to the most in the Armstrong Family Support The ABF Handicap.

We have seven runners to beat and a few of them are much more exposed.

Turned

Silent Echo should have any amount of improvement in him.

He won last time at Lingfield with a fine front-running performance and turned over an odds-on shot in Time’s Arrow, who was more experienced and won next time.

My other two rides have a bit to find. MYSTIC DAWN (4.35) runs in the Cecil Frail Stakes. Gravity Flow looks a filly worthy of running in Group company, while I’ve sat on Henry Candy’s Bounce in morning work and she’s a nice horse.

MAILSHOT (2.55) has to step up to be winning a competitive Amix Silver Bowl Handicap.