Shrewd Evans banking on late contender Tundra freezing out opposition

5.45 Haydock
Sky Bet Sunday Series Fillies' Handicap | 1m | 3yo+ | ITV4/RTV

David Evans will have one eye on proceedings at Deauville where Rohaan will bid to give him a first Group 1 in the Prix Maurice de Gheest, but the shrewd trainer will also be hoping a late decision to target this Sunday Series prize with Tundra can pay dividends.

The Monmouthshire-based Evans has enjoyed a wonderful season, featuring Royal Ascot and Group 2 success with Rohaan, and the lure of targeting another healthy Haydock prize was too hard to ignore with Tundra, who was well beaten at Bath on her latest outing.

"It was a last-minute decision to have a go but it's a valuable race," he said. "She didn't have the best of runs round at Bath the other day and would have finished a lot closer otherwise. The trip might be a bit short for her but she's been in good form and goes on soft ground."

The expected testing ground has led to several runners – including the likely favourite Star Seeking – being withdrawn on Saturday due to the rain-sodden conditions.

With more rain forecast, form in heavy conditions could be key and the David Simcock-trained Deep Sigh could be hard to beat if she replicates her victory at Doncaster on heavy over a mile last time, in which she posted a career-best RPR of 75.

Tim Easterby believes the ground will be perfect for his Haydock scorer Golden Melody. "Conditions should be absolutely spot on as she loves soft ground and has won at the track before," he said. "She gets the mile well and I think she'll run very well."

Like Evans, Dave Loughnane could have his first Group 1 as a trainer on the board on Sunday with Go Bears Go in the Phoenix Stakes. He is represented by Ffion, who provided him with a memorable 1-2 when second in the Kensington Palace Stakes behind Lola Showgirl at Royal Ascot in June.

What they say

Dave Loughnane, trainer of Ffion
She's consistent and ran really well at Royal Ascot two starts ago but lost her position there last time. You can put a line through that run and she's run well at this track and in testing conditions before. She goes there with a real chance.

David O'Meara, trainer of Turandot
If it's very soft, I probably won't run her as I don't think she'd appreciate it.

Marco Botti, trainer of Heavenly Rose
She ran over seven furlongs last time but she was doing her best work at the end and I'm confident she'll stay the mile. She has a low weight and I think she should handle the ground. She has a little bit to find on form but I think she'll be in the shake-up.

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