Silver Bowl Handicap, racing from Haydock and the Irish Guineas

This weekend sees some top class action in England and Ireland with the ToteSport.com Silver Bowl Handicap the feature of a good card at Haydock and the Irish 2000 and 1000 Guineas taking place across the Irish Sea at the Curragh.

Let's kick things off at Haydock where a field of 17 go to post for the Silver Bowl, a three year old handicap over a mile. Mark Johnston saddles three runners in this competitive affair and jockey bookings would seem to suggest that Regal Parade ridden by Joe Fanning is the stable�s main hope. On his last start he beat a good field at Newmarket over seven furlongs and this step up to a mile looks sure to suit this strong galloping sort. Mark Johnston will surely have one eye on Royal Ascot with this son of Pivotal and I think a good run is on the cards.

At a bigger price Ponty Rossa can run well after an encouraging performance at York last time out. On that occasion he finished an unlucky in running second to a decent sort in Shmookh on the Knavesmire and like Regal Parade looks sure to appreciate the step up to a mile for the first time. Tim Easterby's yard is in good form at present so expect a decent showing.

Over in Ireland Cockney Rebel, a most impressive winner at Newmarket looks to complete the Guineas double at the Curragh on Saturday, and as much as I was impressed with his run that day I fancy one that finished in behind to turn the tables, Duke Of Marmalade. In the Guineas Aidan O'Brien's charge made up a lot of ground from the rear and was finishing well once the winner had flown. On this stiffer track I think Duke Of Marmalade will outstay Cockney Rebel and can add to Aidan O'Brien's impressive record in the race. Vital Equine is another to contest this race after a good run in the English Guineas but I expect him also to find the stiff Curragh finish against him. He looked a real speed horse to me in the Guineas and the Irish equivalent is usually won by more of a stout stayer.

The girls get their turn on Sunday in the 1000 Guineas where Finsceal Beo looks to complete the English/Irish double. She was most impressive at Newmarket and looked like prevailing in the French equivalent until getting mugged on the line by Darjina. If that run last weekend hasn't taken too much out of her I fully expect her to win here, albeit at skinny odds. Treat, trained by Mick Channon also ran at Newmarket, finishing just out of the places in fourth. I expect her to get a little closer to Finsceal Beo on this occasion as she looked as if she would definitely improve for that run. She is the each way value.

Nap Duke Of Marmalade 3.45 Curragh (Saturday)