The Classics are upon us and it’s set to be a fascinating weekend of action at Newmarket, where Aiden O’Brien could once again dominate proceedings.

I put Saxon Warrior up in this column last week and see no reason to change tack in that regard and at 6-1 he looks a value alternative to favourite and stable-mate Gustav Klimt.

For the purposes of this week however, I’ll stick to my usual tack of aiming at some big-field handicaps and the one I like the most is Yafta for in-form Richard Hannon in the Hot Streak Handicap (4.10).

The three-year-old ran put in some decent performances last summer, shedding his maiden tag at the fourth attempt at Bath before comfortably landing a Chelmsford handicap off 82 when last seen in September.

He’s up 7lb for that win but still completely unexposed as a handicapper over six furlongs and there could be lots more improvement to come, while if this becomes a stamina test the colt’s breeding suggests he’ll stay further. Jim Crowley takes the ride and he looks to have a lively chance.

In the Spring Lodge Stakes Handicap (1.50) which opens the card, I’ll give Baydar a squeak at a huge 28-1 for Ian Williams.

The five-year-old looked a serious animal at three when landing four back-to-back handicaps, including a competitive-renewal of a Dubai Duty Free Handicap over 1m2f at Newbury.

Baydar found life tough last season starting of in Group Three company but there were some hard-luck stories in his six runs, including when badly hampered at Goodwood when coming with a live chance.

He’s since switched to Williams from Hugo Palmer and has been given a 5lb break by the handicapper, meaning he gets in here off a nice weight of 8-10. Luke Morris is a good booking and he could out-run his big odds.

On Friday, I’ll take a chance with Mont Royal in the Weatherbys Racing Bank Goliath Cup Handicap (4.40) on a decent card at Musselburgh.

Ollie Pears’ four-year-old looked a nice prospect when landing a class four handicap at Beverley off 68 last summer but went off the boil thereafter and has had two runs on the all-weather since a gelding operation.

There’s a chance he’s gone at the game, but if there’s any revival it’s going to come on going with firm in the description – as we’re getting at Musselburgh – and the trip should suit. It’s a bit of a long shot and Trading Point could prove hard to beat, but Mont Royal represents a decent each-way bet with 10 runners.

It’s the Chester Cup on Friday and I’ve backed Silver Concorde at 25-1 who could be well handicapped on his first flat outing for Keith Dalgleish.

A smart winner of the Cheltenham Champion Bumper in 2014, the 10-year-old has been something of a mixed bag since for Dermot Weld, but a switch to Dalgleish’s yard seems to have worked wonders, winning three novice hurdles over the winter.

It remains to be seen what damage can be done off a flat mark of 97, but he was third in this race two years ago off the same mark, and was third behind Max Dynamite when last seen on the level at Killarney last August, form which reads well in light of Willie Mullins’ charge’s third in the Melbourne Cup.