Across-the-card double? Appleby eyeing big Saturday handicaps

One feature of 'Super Saturday', as this upcoming day is known, is valuable handicaps at Newmarket, York, Chester and Ascot – and Mick Appleby is eyeing an across-the-card double.

The Rutland-based trainer could send out Big Country and stable star Danzeno less than an hour apart in a two-pronged raid on valuable prizes.

Big Country, who is part-owned by Racing UK presenters Chris and Martin Dixon, is 10-1 co-favourite for York's £200,000 John Smith's Cup, while Danzeno is in line to contest the £100,000 Totescoop6 Heritage Handicap at Ascot over a furlong less than his Wokingham fifth at the royal meeting.

Of the two it is Big Country whose participation is the more uncertain, with Appleby revealing on Monday he would need the ground to be softer than the current good to firm.

"He's a possibility, it all depends on the ground more than anything," he said.

"Ideally it'd be on the easy side of good, so if it's good to firm, he definitely wouldn't be running.

"I'd think he'd have a great chance if he runs in suitable conditions – he's won over the course and distance. He needs a few to come out to get in and I don't think we'd run in the consolation race if we didn't get in."

Danzeno faces a potential rematch with his Wokingham conqueror Out Do on 5lb better terms for a one and a half length beating, and Appleby added: "Danzeno more than likely runs at Ascot. He's come out of his run at the royal meeting very well. He's in good order and he's on a very good mark so I think he'd have a very good chance."

Saturday cards