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MUSSELBURGH and Haydock Park hold court this afternoon with some fine racing on the flat turf and over the sticks. However, with the cracking prize money on offer at the Merseyside track, the fields are disappointingly small even though the ground is a possible viable excuse as it changes to the faster side of good even, with a bit of rain forecast for this morning.

But let’s start at the Scottish venue where the Queen’s Cup (3.35) over one and three quarter miles is the big race of the day. There was a big initial entry in the race, so it is a shame that the maximum field, for safety purposes, is just 14 runners for this lucrative prize.

Charlie Johnston has three of the entries and his best chance possibly lies with Align The Stars, who already has a run under his belt finishing third of the four runners in the Listed Barry Hills Further Flight Stakes at Nottingham. A winner off 99 and 102 last season, he has every chance off 101 here and I make him the main danger to my selection and top weight AIMERIC.

Since being transferred from Roger Varian last August, he has run three times for Karl Burke and on each occasion has looked as though a step up in trip would enable him to take another step forward. That was clearly apparent when he ran on late to run Military Academy to three and a quarter lengths in the Listed Floodlit Stakes over a mile and a half at Kempton Park.

The Ebor Handicap is apparently going to be his main aim this season, so I suspect if he is to fulfil that long-term target he will have to go close here.

Of the other races at the Edinburgh track, I have a really strong fancy for AMERICAN AFFAIR (3.00) in the Scottish Sprint Cup. Again with a nice purse up for grabs and a maximum field of 17 allowed, it is hugely disappointing for this early speed prize that only nine will go to post. The selection holds a decision over several of these on last year’s last gasp Portland Handicap success at Doncaster and has a cracking record when fresh.

A winner at the meeting last year, Jim Goldie’s charge should get the hot pace in the race he needs to draw him into the contest and he can defy his mark before possibly having a shot at Listed or Group Three company.

ZAPPHIRE had a brilliant season through 2024 with a win off 70 and a placed effort among many off 74 and slightly lower. She returns this afternoon with a rating of 76 with her regular partner Tom Kiely Marshall on top again.

I fancy that the daughter of Zoffany can mow down the likes of Samra Star and top weight Yorkshire Lady late on in the day.

The 10-year-old Arecibo ran well for a long way over the course and distance last Sunday and may well have another win in him as he continues to fall down the weights, but the percentage call is to oppose him with ETERNAL SUNSHINE (nap), who finished a place behind the veteran in that same race, but had a horrendous passage at the back end of that sprint contest.

It is Challenger Series Finals day at Haydock Park with the most interesting race being the Middle Distance Veterans Handicap Chase Final, with some familiar old names in the field of 10.

Le Milos hacked up at Warwick three outings back under Harry Skelton off 139, so off a 2lbs higher mark here his chance is there for all to see. Six lengths behind him that day was WHISTLEINTHEDARK who has a nice turn around in the weights this afternoon. There is no doubt that the bottom weight is very nicely treated on his old form and the key to his chance is putting in a clear round of jumping, which has always been his failing.

I was really disappointed in Luttrell Lad last time out at Aintree and he could easily bounce back to form in the two-mile Challenger Hurdle Series Final, but he may not have much leeway from his rating of 123, less his conditional’s 5lb claim and I have pinned my colours to the mast of the top weight GIVEMEFIVE.

Harry Derham’s charge is four wins from nine starts over timber and has been running in better races by and large this season. I think that the in form Paul O’Brien will try and have him to the fore and kick on off the final bend to try and secure this valuable prize.

Away from the two big meetings there are several plays I will be having, none more so than JET LEGS (3.27, Carlisle). After running their charge over as far as four miles (Border National) this year, connections dropped him back to two and a half last time out and were rewarded with a strong running and rallying win at Hexham with the first time visor on.

Some 5lbs higher here and with the visor not surprisingly retained, I expect that Sean Quinlan will make this a good test at the trip and try and run the finish out of top weight Special Rate.

Under the lights late on at Wolverhampton, there are two bets worth a second look. ULTRAMARINE (6.30) will relish the step back up to seven furlongs, while EMACULATE SOLDIER  (7.30) looks the pick of the weights in the staying handicap.

Finally, it is the first afternoon of the three-day Irish National Festival at Fairyhouse and ZENTA (3.20), AYIKO (4.30) and ZILLOW (5.05) should all run well in their respective races. The last named of that trio is having only his fifth start over timber and could improve for this better ground on his handicap debut off a mark of 120.