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2pts win Kinross 1.45 Haydock at 11/1

1pt win Kipps 3.05 Ascot at 13/2

1pt win Indian Creak 3.40 Ascot at 9/1

After a stunning eight-length debut win at Newmarket last October, the sky looked the limit for KINROSS who, after competing unsuccessfully at Group One level on three occasions since, can now fulfil some of that potential in the Group Three Betfair Superior Mile at Haydock on Saturday.

The son of Kingman has certainly kept good company since that first victory, finishing fifth to Kameko in the Vertem Futurity at Newcastle, sixth to Kameko in the 2000 Guineas (a decent effort) and, most recently, eighth to Pinatubo in the Prix Jean Prat (7f) at Deauville.

But on none of those occasions has Kinross had the ease in the ground that he enjoyed at Newmarket first time out and, with conditions guaranteed to be testing at Haydock, we could see a different horse here taking on rivals who, at this stage of their careers, would need to improve dramatically to reach Group One level.

A distinct ground preference is apparent too in the selection's pedigree as his dam Ceilidh House was best with cut underfoot (over a mile and a quarter) and his grand-dam Villa Carlotta also thrived in the soft, winning three times under such conditions for the late John Dunlop.

In the Guineas, Kinross finished five lengths clear of all the other runners in sixth place and those ahead of him with the exception of the sidelined fourth Military March have since suggested it was a strong renewal.

Yet conditions would almost certainly have been too slick for him that day, and this task represents a considerable drop in class.

At Ascot, KIPPS is given another chance wearing cheek-pieces for the first time in the Lavazza Handicap.

It's fair to say that Hughie Morrison's well-regarded grey has been a bit disappointing since splitting Hukum and Subjectivist in the King George V Handicap over this course and distance at the Royal meeting in June, but he may have been unsuited by a drop to ten furlongs at Newmarket next time and then wasn't disgraced when third in the Melrose (1m6f) on his latest start.

If a return to Ascot prompts a repeat of his effort here in June, then Kipps must have good claims off a mark of 89 given that Hukum (gave 7lb) is now rated 114 after winning the Geoffrey Freer Stakes while Subjectivist (gave 11lb) has done nothing but improve since and may be under-estimated off 104.

Later on, INDIAN CREAK could well supplement his recent Windsor win in the Tweenhills Follow The Foals Handicap.

Mick Channon's colt was well-backed on that latest outing and duly returned to form by over a length from Eye Of The Water in soft ground since when he has been put up 5lb by the handicapper.

That rise will be partly off-set here by the 3lb claim of Theodore Ladd and Indian Creak still looks well enough handicapped on some of his two-year-old form, including when fourth in a valuable sales race at Newmarket (6f) behind Under The Stars with the useful Keep Busy just behind him in fifth.

Having run well enough in the past on a better surface, ground conditions may not be quite so important as a stiff test at six furlongs (which is on offer here) compared to the seven furlong trips he had been running over before Windsor this season.

Posted at 1420 BST on 04/09/20

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