DAL HARRAILD is in with a smashing chance of winning today's Grand Cup at York.

The fast-ground-loving four-year-old chestnut must give away weight to the field but he is a very sharp horse at this grade and will be much fitter than on his return to the fray at Newbury in April.

Dal Harraild will be having his first stab over a mile and three-quarters but he has done enough over middle distances to suggest he will stay.

Trainer William Haggas and jockey Paul Hanagan have worked well together over the years, so it is interesting to see the two-time champion jockey receive the leg-up.

WASHINGTON DC looks as safe a play as anything in a puzzling renewal of the Armstrong Aggregates Temple Stakes at Haydock.

The Grade Two pivots around Quiet Reflection, the dual Group One winner who should be a cut above if there is dig in the ground.

There is rain forecast but probably not enough to sufficiently please both the horse and her trainer, who is set to make a late call on the filly's participation.

To that end, Washington DC narrowly wins the vote for Aidan O'Brien, who is hardly a regular on Merseyside.

The Zoffany colt has never won a Group race but he made some encouraging progress last year, having finished second to Marsha in the Prix de l'Abbaye and third behind Quiet Reflection in the Commonwealth Cup.

From what we have seen so far this season, Washington DC appears to have taken another step in the right direction.

The four-year-old won snugly on his return at Navan in April and was then pitched into battle in the Palace House Stakes at Newmarket, when the Abbaye form was emphatically franked.

Washington DC had the rest of the field, a good chunk of which runs in the Temple Stakes, well cooked that day – but he could not live with Marsha, who looks a bit of a superstar.

That is good form by anyone's standards and tends to suggest O'Brien has found a niche for him over a brisk five furlongs.

The suspicion remains that he is not quite good enough to win Group Ones, so his trainer will be keen to kick on in races like this. Wayne Lordan rides today's nap selection.

Punters are advised not to give up on BRIAN THE SNAIL in the Armstrong Aggregates Sandy Lane Stakes.

Richard Fahey adores this horse but it all went wrong at York when he finished last of five in a Listed race.

His trainer was bemused by that performance – but there were one or two funny results on the Knavesmire last week, so it is good to see him rise from above the parapet at Haydock.

Brian The Snail had won his first three races in the manner of a horse going places in a bit of a rush, so it is not yet inconceivable to see him take a hand in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot if all goes to plan in this Group Two.

The return to six furlongs should also be viewed upon as a positive, with Tony Hamilton taking the reins.

Goodwood also stages a fine card, with SECOND STEP taken to cut loose in the Listed Tapster Stakes under Jamie Spencer.

The six-year-old gelding was an eye-catcher on his first outing for seven months in the John Porter at Newbury, when he finished a close-enough third behind the impressive Muntahaa.

He was a little pinched for room close home, which will not have helped, but new trainer Roger Charlton must have been delighted.

There are more good races to be won with Second Step – who, lest we forget, was a Group One winner in Germany for Luca Cumani.