The big race of the day is the Sprint Cup at Haydock (3.50) and affords a huge chance for Aidan O’Brien to open his account in this most famous of championship events with Cougar Mountain.

The Ballydoyle trainer thought an incredible amount of this youngster as a two-year-old, but he was just too backward to make the racecourse. When he did debut as a three-year-old, the son of Fastnet Rock eased to a five-and-a-half length success in a maiden at Naas.

However, that was surprisingly followed by multiple entries in group-one events and that was to be his port of call for his next two races which culminated in a fifth of 13 to Slade Power in the July Cup and a close-up ninth in the Nunthorpe Stake at York.

On their own both of those runs were commendable but when you realise that the selection had excuses on each occasion it suggests that Cougar Mountain could be something special when things fall right for him.

At Newmarket there is little doubt that the ground was on the soft side and then at York the sharp five was merely too quick, the bay colt firing home in the closing stages to be beaten by just the three lengths.

Back on a sound surface and over six furlongs I anticipate an even better display and it is worth remembering that this will be only his fourth career start.

Of his rivals I have a healthy regard for the remarkable Sole Power, but he has yet to win over this distance. That doesn’t preclude him from doing so here, but speed is his forte and he will need to see out every yard of this distance.

I think that the Wokingham Handicap winner Baccarat will outrun his price. The time figure he put up there was top class and I know that trainer Richard Fahey has aimed him for this since that Royal Ascot success.

Of the remainder, Music Master has solid claims of at least hitting the frame as he is relatively unexposed over this distance, while last year’s winner Gordon Lord Byron, who may ideally want it softer, and outsider Professor could also go well.   

Also at Haydock, I shall be having a lumpy each-way bet on Quest For More in the Old Borough Handicap at 3.15. He pulled way too hard over two miles last time out at York and may be best served by a fast run race over a mile and three quarters.

Kempton has one of its big flat meetings of the year and the Group Three September Stakes (2.20) may go to Cat O’Mountain. The Godolphin charge has an exceptional record around here but still has Dandino and Prince Bishop to beat.

Elsewhere, the big seven-furlong at Ascot (1.55) may go the way of last year’s winner Redvers. Ed Vaughan’s charge is once again on a winning mark and gets the vote over Don’t Call Me and Fort Bastion.

Later on, Taajub has solid each-way claims in the big sprint at 5.15, while the best bet on the evening cards comes courtesy of Foxtrot Romeo, back down to six furlongs in the 8.20 at Wolverhampton.