Mixture of talented veterans and youngsters set to make it pay for Mick Appleby

Progress and improvement are words that match well with the performance of Mick Appleby's horses in recent years. His prowess on the all-weather is very much a given, but an increasing presence on the turf can be expected this season too, and he has the ammunition to do well.

Appleby recorded his best tally in a year in 2019 with 99 winners and he also broke the £1 million barrier in prize-money for the first time.

With the coronavirus interruption, that total is unlikely to be matched this year, despite saddling 30 winners before lockdown. However, his coterie of excellent older servants, led by admirable sprinter Danzeno, is bolstered by some interesting three-year-olds who could be well-handicapped.