They go together like salt and pepper - Graeme Rodway on racing's perfect match

Saturday: 3.10 Ascot
Lavazza Stakes (Heritage Handicap) | 1m4f | 3yo | ITV/Sky

Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore go together like salt and pepper. A match made in heaven, the quiet man of the weighing room and the quiet man of the training ranks are both masters of their trades.

They do not appear on a British racecard as commonly now as in years gone by, but it is more than just nostalgia that draws the eye to their runners when they do.

It might be 11 years since they teamed up for their last Derby winner, Workforce, but Stoute and Moore still make a formidable combination and they are striking at 21 per cent this year.

One of their 13 winners (from 63 runners) in Britain was Wahraan, who landed a maiden at Pontefract at short odds in July, and it looks significant Moore is at Ascot to reunite with the three-year-old on a day when there are big prizes on offer at Haydock and Kempton.

Moore made all on Wahraan at Pontefract, but the Le Havre colt has come from behind under different riders on his last two runs and it will be interesting to see what tactics are employed on his first start over a mile and a half. It's a trip over which he is bred to excel.

Haydock and Kempton have also robbed Ascot of other leading riders and there are plenty of interesting bookings as a result. William Haggas and Adam Farragher (Candleford) have a 24 per cent strike-rate this year and the trainer also saddles Chalk Stream under Cieren Fallon.

Nicola Currie and Mark Johnston have two wins from five runners this year and team up with State Of Bliss, while Neil Callan (Irish Legend) has one win from one ride for Hugo Palmer.

Maybe it will be a trainer who is key, though, because Roger Varian has saddled the last two winners and three of the last ten, from just five runners. Alfaadhel is his sole representative.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

Varian aiming for fantastic four

A quick glance at the roll of honour for the 1m4f contest points to Roger Varian, who bids for a third win in a row after the victories of Apparate (2019) and Shandoz a year ago, as well as a fourth success in the competitive handicap.

The Newmarket trainer also won this with Battersea in 2014 and relies on Alfaadhel this year, who was second at Glorious Goodwood last time and now tackles a new trip.

Varian said: "It's a race we like as we we've won it a few times, most recently with Shandoz.

"Alfaadhel has a nice profile for the race and although he's not guaranteed to stay on pedigree, he shapes as if this trip of a mile and a half will suit him."

What they say

Alison Begley, racing manager to Al Shaqab, owners of Wahraan
He was very unlucky at York last time when meeting with traffic problems and would have finished closer with a clear run. He's improved all season and is a nice horse going forward for the rest of this year and next.

William Haggas, trainer of Chalk Stream and Candleford
Chalk Stream is a nice horse and he's improving. The wide draw is a bit of a concern, but he's getting better and he stays well. Candleford is an interesting one. He did well to win at Windsor last time and the second, Tall Order, came out and won at Haydock on Thursday. He'll like the ground and I hope he runs a good race.

Hugo Palmer, trainer of Irish Legend
He's come forward from his last run at Kempton, which he was entitled to do, and has been in great order at home since. It's a hot race as you'd expect for the prize-money.

Hughie Morrison, trainer of Stay Well
He won nicely at Salisbury last time, but may have to step up again as it looks a tough race as you would expect for the money. Whatever he does this year is a bonus as he's very much a horse for next year.

Michael Bell, trainer of True Courage
He's at the right end of the handicap and it will be interesting seeing how he goes back up in trip. He likes fast ground and should give a good account.
Reporting by David Milnes

Saturday's race previews:

1.45 Haydock: find out why it could be best to ignore the Superior Mile market leaders

2.20 Haydock: is Valley Forge a good thing to follow up his Melrose win?

2.40 Kempton: admirable Hukum aims for another Group 3 victory in September Stakes

2.55 Haydock: 'He has real quality about him' – trainers on their Old Borough Cup contenders

3.30 Haydock: 'He's the one to beat' – can anyone stop Starman and Tom Marquand in Sprint Cup?

3.30 Haydock: Graeme Rodway on whether Starman can graduate to greatness in the Sprint Cup (Members' Club)

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