Group races at Newmarket and Haydock

While the Shergar Cup may grab the headlines, the better racing is prbaby to be found at Haydock and Newmarket, both of which have a group three race on the card. With rain forecast for almost all of the U.K. the going is likely to be on the soft side, and this may not be in favour of Henry Cecil´s Multidimensional (Ted Durcan), likely favourite for the Rose of Lancaster Stakes over 10 1/2 furlongs at 15.35 CET at Haydock. He is the highest-rated runner in the field, and has several decent performances to his credit in better events, but the two top handicappers Flying Clarets (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan) and Smoky Oakey (Mark Tompkins/ Jimmy Quinn) - part-owned by Oscar winner Judi Dench) -could well come out on top on this ground. At Newmarket, the Sweet Solera Stakes for 2yo fillies over 7 furlongs, has 14 runners and looks quite open. Best on form is Rosabee (Eddie Creighton), a very cheap yearling trained by ex-model Vicki Haigh, who can possibly provide the trainer with her biggest ever win, However both Rainbow View (John Gosden/ Jimmy Fortune) and Ballantrae (Michael Bell/ Jim Crowley) come into the race off one start and one very easy maiden victory and could be anything. The valuable 7 furlongs handicap at Newmarket at 16.50 has 17 runners with almost as many likely winners. Andrew Balding´s Kalahari Gold (Liam Keniry) has won 2 of his 3 career starts, including an easy win this CD last week, but faces much tougher opposition now. Giganticus (Barry and Michael Hills), wo this last year and is coming bac to form, while top-weight Little White Lie (John Jenkins/ Darryll Holland) won the Bunbury Cup this CD, with several of these behind, and certainly cannot be left out of calculations.