Punting pointers to help crack the Old Borough Cup

3.35 Haydock
Betfair Exchange Old Borough Cup Handicap | 1m6f | 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

Sunshine out to keep firing for Rooneys

Since switching codes to the Flat the Keith Dalgleish-trained Alright Sunshine has not looked back.

The Paul and Clare Rooney-owned four-year-old started his career with three wins in bumpers from four attempts, and has never been out of the frame in five outings on the Flat. After scoring in his last two runs, connections will be hoping he can complete a hat-trick.

Alright Sunshine goes for the hat-trick in the Old Borough CupCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

The Rooneys' racing manager Jason Maguire said: "He is a fast-improving horse but now has to race off a handicap mark of 93 and what he does at Haydock will obviously tell us a lot about where we are with him.

"It's his stiffest task but hopefully he can find the necessary improvement to remain competitive. He tends to have a good look around him when he gets to the front and Danny [Tudhope], who has ridden him before, will be aware of that."

Reshoun looking to land top prize again

Ian Williams landed the prize 12 months ago with Reshoun and the five-year-old will be joined by stablemates Time To Study and Restorer as the trainer launches a three-pronged attack.

Reshoun will be reunited with Jim Crowley and Williams said: "He won the race last year and it would be nice to repeat the dose as it's more valuable this year! We know he acts on the course and he has his chance even though he is 3lb higher in the handicap."

Reshoun won the Old Borough Cup last year for Ian WilliamsCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Williams added: "Time To Study just has to have soft in the going description and he has come out of his recent Clairefontaine victory in good heart. If he runs well here we will probably be thinking about aiming him at the Cesarewitch next month.

"The original plan was to run Restorer at Ascot but conditions have just gone too quick for him and will be rerouted to this race. He will enjoy getting his toe in but I am not convinced this is his trip."

Garbanzo back to his best on the Flat

Following a couple of disappointing efforts over hurdles, Garbanzo is back in the care of Ed Walker and the hope is he can build on his recent Kempton success.

Explaining the five-year-old’s musical chairs, Walker said: "His owner Chris Stedman is passionate about racing and jumps is his first love. I was asked to buy a horse who could run on the Flat and go jumping but he didn't hurdle very well – he showjumped them. Richard Newland and Chris felt he wasn't going to scale the heights he might reach on the Flat so he has come back to me. He's a cool horse."

Garbanzo (centre) has won four of his last five runs on the FlatCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

He added: "This has been the target for a long time. He did very well to win at Kempton given I felt a mile and a half on the all-weather would be sharp enough for him. He's in great form and has his ground and trip."

What they say

John Gosden, trainer of Corelli
He ran a blinder when second at York and was chinned again before that. He'll enjoy the ground but is high enough in the handicap and could well end up in the US later this year.

Charlie Johnston, assistant to Mark Johnston, trainer of Charles Kingsley
He was a bit disappointing at York but perhaps he did not stay the two miles. The switch back in distance should help and he is entitled to be in the shake-up in a tough race.

Hughie Morrison, trainer of Not So Sleepy
He deserves to win one of these decent handicaps but he is an older horse nowadays and always seems to bump into one or two better handicapped types. He ran very well last time under a big weight at Nottingham and I think the ground should be fine for him.

Alan King, trainer of Rainbow Dreamer
He has been off for a long time as we left him alone over the summer period as he is very much a soft ground horse. I think a mile and six furlongs is the minimum trip for him but he should run well.

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