Five mudlarks to follow on testing ground at Ascot and Haydock on Saturday

Despite some Saturday morning sunshine at Ascot and Haydock, recent weather has taken its toll and heavy remains in the going description at both tracks.

We have picked out five horses who will likely relish the testing conditions today.

Le Ligerien
12.55 Haydock

He had his first run on heavy ground at Newbury on Wednesday and won by a commanding 19 lengths. The seven-year-old is turned out again before his new handicap mark kicks in and looks well treated if Wednesday’s effort hasn’t taken too much out of him.

Le Ligerien: showed his liking for testing conditions at Newbury on WednesdayCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Sam Brown

Although lightly raced for an eight-year-old, Sam Brown has won all of his races on soft or heavy ground, including a 22-length victory 11 days ago. His sole defeat came on good ground at Wincanton.

Midnight Tune
2.40 Haydock

The Anthony Honeyball-trained mare has won her last two races on heavy ground in novice company by a combined distance of more than 35 lengths. She has been successful on three of her four starts on heavy ground.

Midnight Tune has won her last two races on heavy ground at HaydockCredit: Harry Trump

Capeland
3.35 Ascot

If you are trying to find a horse at a slightly bigger price than the leading pair in the Clarence House, the form of Capeland might be worth a glance. The Paul Nicholls-trained eight-year-old hasn’t run on heavy ground since 2016, but has won both engagements on the going and has also won two of his last three on soft ground.

Deja Vue
4.15 Haydock

Another Honeyball-trained mudlover is Deja Vue, who is two from two on heavy ground. The trainer is taking a leap of faith with the six-year-old mare by stepping her up to three miles, which is almost a mile further than she has ever run before under rules.

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