The first race of the day is is the Class 3 Heed Your Hunch Handicap over 1 mile 3 1/2 furlongs and we have gone for the Sir Michael Stoute trained Alhaazm.
This three year old colt looks to have a great chance if being much more comfortable after coming back for his seasonal reappearance where he finished a good second at Newbury.
That was also his handicap debut and had seemed to have matured over the winter break, this looks tougher today but he is bred to continue improving.
The Fillies feature of the day is the Group 3 Pinnacle Stakes and in this hot contest we have sided with the favourite True Self who goes for Willie Mullins.
You have to take notice when Mullins has a flat horse and also when he brings them over to England and this mare looks a really smart middle distance runner.
She is unbeaten in her last four races with three of them coming in Listed company and one of them was a really smart performance at Newmarket.
This Group 3 is certainly with in her grasp but she will have to be at her best in a strong field of runners.
The more it rains, the better for our next selection in the Listed Achilles Stakes over five furlongs as we have gone for the Micheal Dods trained Intense Romance.
This five year old mare loves the rain winning two Listed events last season on soft/heavy ground and has to be on the shortlist with the current conditions and forecast on the way.
Her seasonal debut was nothing special at Naas on firmer ground than she normally likes but now hopefully race fit she can get back to her best.
Now midway through the card on Haydock's second day of racing in a row and we have gone for the William Haggas trained Mankib to land the feature Group 3 John Of Gaunt Stakes.
This contest over seven furlongs sees a strong field of runners but Mankib is a very progressive five year old, who's highlight last year was a Listed win at Newbury on good to soft ground.
He should be able to handle the track conditions and made a decent return this season when second over course and distance in the Listed Spring Trophy.
He will have to reverse some form from that run but should be much fitter and holds a strong chance.
The Betway Dash Handicap comes next and in this Class 3 six furlong contest we have gone for the Kevin Ryan trained Savalas to bounce back to form.
This horse is another who won't mind the rain falling and the conditions being soft as most of his best runs have come on that surface.
Last time out at York on quicker ground than the gelding normally likes he finished a strong fourth in a good Class 2 Handicap at York and if going well again should be in the frame.
The penultimate contest of the day at Haydock is the six furlong Sprint Handicap and we have gone for he Roger Teal trained Whelans Way.
This progressive three year old has made a bright star to the season winning on his seasonal debut at Ascot in soft conditions and then backing that up with a good second at Doncaster when stepped up in trip.
Back down to six furlongs in conditions that he loves makes him a dangerous runner and certainly to watch in this contest if coming on again for his runs this season.
The final runner of the day is Northernpowerhouse for trainer Bryan Smart in the Class 4 Handicap over seven furlongs and this large field features many familiar faces.
This three year old colt looks to be progressing nicely this season not finishing outside the top three on both of his starts and last time it looked as if the step up to seven furlongs is what he needed.
He should handle the soft conditions finishing second on his first start of the year on good to soft in a 20 runner race at Thirsk and he makes for interesting reading.
