FOLLOWING the two classics last weekend you would be forgiven for thinking that the racing would be a lot more mundane this afternoon. But that is far from the truth, with a fabulous mixed card at Haydock Park allied to Victoria Cup day at Ascot and Classic Trial afternoon at Lingfield Park.

The biggest factor coming into each of these three meetings, though, will be the weather — and therefore the ground, which is predicted to ease considerably up and down the land.

Off a mark of 103 on his seasonal debut last year, RAISING SAND (nb) ran on in eye-catching fashion to finish fourth of the 26 runners, beaten a closing one-and-three-quarter lengths.