Five horses to follow from our experts on Saturday

Tipster: Ross Millar.

This is a meeting where, traditionally, Charlie Appleby and Godolphin fare well and, true to form, Appleby heads into the weekend with his yard in red-hot form, operating at a staggering 60 per cent strike-rate in the past fortnight, with each of his last four juvenile runners scoring. That includes Nabati, a gutsy winner of the Mill Reef at Newbury. 

Appleby is double-handed here, with William Buick electing to ride the less-experienced, and therefore potentially less-exposed, First Law, with Champion jockey elect, Billy Loughnane, on the higher-rated Quest For Stars.

While I understand this logic, I wonder whether Buick has been too quick to disregard the latter-named colt. Yes, he seemingly found his level when losing his unbeaten record when comfortably brushed aside in the Group One HKJC World Pool Golden Fleece Stakes last time out, though he raced inefficiently there after breaking slowly, and was then unable to sustain his challenge over a furlong further than he faces here. This is also a step down in grade and, personally, I’d fancy him to be the first home of the Godolphin pair. 

However, they both have plenty to find with my tentative selection HAFFNER. He sets a clear form standard thanks to his win in the Group Three Tattersalls Acomb Stakes over a furlong shorter than this. Ridden aggressively on that occasion, Ryan Moore was clearly confident in the stamina this son of Justify is in possession of. Indeed, Aidan O’Brien has frequently referenced that progeny of Justify can take their form to another level. 

Like Quest For Stars, Haffner was comfortably beaten at Group One level last time out, but I believe it was a lack of speed for that grade over seven furlongs that proved his un-doing. 

I think he’s the best of these, and it’s only the relatively busy campaign he’s had that tempers my enthusiasm for him.

Tipster: Dave Nevison.

Trilby, who has been fantastically consistent all season, ran another cracking race in the Ladbrokes Ayr Silver Cup last weekend when finishing a close second on the unfavoured near-side after being in the mix throughout. 

He performs even better at Haydock, especially when the ground is on the softer side, and goes particularly well for P J McDonald.

A low draw here, and a mark a pound lower than last Saturday, means pretty much everything is in his favour, and a good run seems almost certain. 

Tipster: Andy Stephens (RaceiQ).

Alwaysanangel had finished off well in the Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes and a month later was up a furlong in trip and down in grade (Listed level). 

She didn’t pick up from where she left off, dwelling at the start and being slowest to 20mph (3.16mph) by some margin (a stalls handler appeared to be stroking her down the shoulder when the gates opened). 

Not that it mattered. She travelled strongly throughout and did 95 per cent of her work on the bridle, whereas the opposition were working hard all around her. 

Her final furlong of 12.05sec, having switched course, was best by at least 0.23sec, but she had matters under control a little way out and the extra yardage was not essential. Breaking the furlongs down to individual races, she finished 9131121. 

The Time Index was 8.2, when the meeting average was 7.6, and the slick winning time was 0.55sec quicker than the year older Suzie Songs (carrying 6lb less) recorded when landing another Listed contest half an hour later. 

The third home, Maire Rua, went off favourite after a taking winning debut and has since won in good style at the Irish Champions Festival. The fourth, Damsel In Distress, has since gone close in Group Three company, while the sixth, Beibhinn, beaten 7¾ lengths, had finished 2¼ lengths third to Sun Goddess in the Airlie Stud Stakes. 

Tipster: Alex Scott.

Another four-year-old who catches the eye is Asmen Warrior, who came from the rear to win at Newmarket's July Festival on fast ground and shaped well at Ascot on King George day two weeks later, only to be undone by a lack of pace. Despite the fact it turned into a sprint finish, he was only beaten two and a half lengths.

That same scenario is extremely unlikely in this race, and with a strong pace to aim at, he can resume his progression for his shrewd trainer. He is a proven stayer over further than this and conditions should be spot on, whilst Marco Ghiani, who rode him to his most recent success, is back on board.

Back both runners each-way with generous place terms on offer.

Tipster: Graham Clark.

Sure Touch is not getting any younger, but a return to a course and distance he has excelled over could be just the ticket he needs to return to winning ways. 

At Bangor last time out, and Uttoxeter the time before, the Olly Murphy-trained 10-year-old appeared to just have his stamina stretched over three miles. 

Dropped back to an extended two miles five furlongs, which he has two of his three previous starts over at the Lincolnshire venue looks a wise move. 

While he is still two pounds above his last winning mark, Lewis Saunders takes a handy five pounds off his back in a race that could be set up for him.