Mister Monet, a typically tough and progressive sort from Mark Johnston's Middleham stable, can successfully negotiate a step up in grade by taking the Group 3 Petros Rose Of Lancaster Stakes over a mile and a quarter at Haydock this afternoon, writes JANUS.

The three-year-old had his problems and was off the course for a year before turning in a much improved effort at the July Meeting at Newmarket when just touched off by Kehaar.

A fluent success under the now-retired Keith Dalgleish told us little new about him at Hamilton a week later but he showed just how much he had improved when successful over this trip at Ascot last time.

Despite meeting plenty of trouble the colt showed a bright turn of foot when in the clear to beat Courageous Duke with a fair bit more in hand than the winning margin suggests and he looks more than ready for the step up into this company.

Johnston has prospects of a quick double at the Lancashire track with King Of Dreams, who makes plenty of appeal in the totesport Heritage Handicap over the same extended mile and a quarter trip.

Although disappointing when well beaten at Newmarket in April, he looked better than ever after a break of over three months when accounting for a competitive field at the July Course at Headquarters last time.

That represented his best effort yet, he's well drawn for one that races up with the pace (an advantage at this course) and the underfoot conditions he showed improved form on rain-softened ground last time look ideal.

Malapropism has steadily come to hand of late and looks the best bet of the day in the competitive coral.co.uk Handicap over five furlongs.

Mick Channon's sprinter, who goes well for Tony Culhane, is back on a fair mark and ran his best race for a while when fourth to Salviati from a modest draw on his most recent start.

Although all his wins have been on fast ground he's a proven performer under today's conditions and he's taken to get the better of Connect, who is a reliable performer at this level.

At Newmarket John Berry's Jack Dawson, who is best suited by two miles on a sound surface, has conditions to suit and looks the one to be on in the Champions Health Club Handicap.

The stayer wasn't seen to best effect over two miles over hurdles on his most recent start but this should provide him with the test he needs and he showed he was as good as ever when successful in a messy race at Musselburgh on his penultimate run.

James Bethell has his team in good order and his Strawberry Dale, unbeaten in two outings, is fancied to maintain the unbeaten run in the Swynford Paddocks Hotel Sweet Solera Stakes over seven furlongs.

And, also at Headquarters Willie Musson's Kareeb can notch the totesport Silver Salver Handicap over seven furlongs for the second consecutive season.

The gelding was by no means disgraced at York last time but the strong pace and the stiff uphill finish of this track will be in his favour. He's worth an each-way interest in an open event.

The best bet on the evening cards looks to be Peter Chapple-Hyam's Harrison Point in the Lingfield Racecourse Handicap over seven furlongs at the Surrey venue.

Unbeaten in two starts on Polytrack, the four-year-old hasn't been at all disgraced in defeat on turf of late but will appreciate the return to this surface. He's taken to beat St Savarin.

At Ayr the in-form Richard Fahey can be on the mark with the consistent Richtee, who is well worth an interest in an ordinary looking totequadpot Handicap over a mile and three furlongs.

And Fahey can double up half an hour later with Market Avenue, who will appreciate the return the longer trip in the Discover Scottish Racing Isle Of Arran Handicap over a mile and one furlong.

David Nicholls can also be in double form and the Thirsk handler is fancied to win with Albashoosh in the D.M Hall Handicap over six furlongs and with Bailieborough in the Daily Record Discover Scottish Racing Claimer over seven.

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