The Punt Daily: Keith Melrose with three to follow on Thursday

BANKER

Sainted (3.50 Haydock)

This William Haggas-trained filly looked better than a handicapper when making a successful belated return at York and is only back in this grade by way of naked opportunism. She will go up to 99 in future after her sixth in the Oak Tree Stakes at Goodwood last week.

She was better than the result in that race, too. She suffered on the inside and was forced to switch and was beaten less than two lengths for third. With a clear run, she might have got black type.

Now she is back in a handicap, for fillies, from a rating of 91. It will be hard to stop her if she shows her good side.

EYECATCHER

Sir Jack (3.30 Brighton)

One of the unluckiest losers at Carlisle on ladies' evening, Sir Jack gave ground to the well-handicapped Parole and was brought across the track to join him. That he could not reel in the winner is understandable, but it was impressive that he drew clear of the rest.

The Brighton Challenge Cup looks a lot more competitive and comes less than 72 hours on from his last run, but Sir Jack has been running well for a while and can outrun his odds if he is adequately rested.

DARK HORSE

Punkawallah (1.50 Haydock)

An imposing-looking three-year-old, Punkawallah made a winning handicap debut over the same course and distance little over a month ago.

Doubts about the follow-up hinge on him being completely untested on soft ground. That cannot be denied, but it should not be forgotten that without those doubts he is a virtual standout on form, while the manner in which he did it last time, clawing back ground only gradually, would suggest that more of a test will suit.

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