HAYDOCK and Leopardstown are the two top-class venues for a brace of scintillating Group 1 races this afternoon.

First port of call is Haydock where Pipalong (3.00) tries for back-to-back success in the six furlong £150,000 Stanley Leisure Sprint.

Pipalong broke new ground for trainer Tim Easterby by becoming the trainer's first ever Group 1 win in the event 12 months ago. "She hasn't got a great draw in 13, but the main thing is the going is soft, that's the most important thing," said the Great Habton handler.

The fabulously-fast five-year-old mare, ridden as ever by Kevin Darley, landed a massive public gamble once the heavens had opened over Haydock a year ago to day.

And once again connections have had their prayers answered as boat loads of the wet stuff cascaded over the track during the past 72 hours.

The standard of the opposition is hugely impressive. Last season's champion sprinter, the French raider Nuclear Debate is in the line-up, not to mention the blisteringly quick Summerhill Parkes, and of course Mull Of Kintyre, from Aidan O'Brien's all-conquering camp.

No disrespect to Mull Of Kintyre, but Aidan will definitely not be at Haydock to saddle his runner personally as there is the small matter of supervising Galileo at Leopardstown where he tries to secure the £825,000 Irish Champion Stakes.

Although eight go to post, ostensibly it's a two horse race as O'Brien's unbeaten dual Derby winner locks horns once again with the pride of Godolphin, Fantastic Light.

Mick Kinane and Frankie Dettori fought out an epic duel in the 12 furlong "King George" at Ascot in July where Galileo was two lengths too good for his rival.

But things could well be different over this afternoon's distance of ten furlongs, which suits Fantastic Light rather better.

Additionally Frankie Dettori's mount is 5lbs better off at the weights, a factor that just sways me in his favour.

Whatever the outcome, take my advice and don't miss it, it's surely the race of the season by million miles.