The bet365 Old Newton Cup takes centre stage at Haydock on Saturday and Atty Persse looks to have solid credentials if ready to roll after a long absence.

Roger Charlton’s four-year-old gelding has an abundance of talent, landing a Sandown maiden on debut before going on to claim the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot last year, powering clear to easily defeat a hugely competitive field on his favoured good to firm surface.

Two subsequent defeats can be excused in Group class can be excused because of a rain-softened surface yet this son of Frankel is clearly a tricky horse to get right, given he’s been off the track since August of last year, but Charlton is a master with these types, as highlighted by his recent success with Withhold.

Gelded over the winter, Atty Persse races here off 99, just 6lb higher than that superb Ascot performance, and if similar form here under Jamie Spencer, he could prove too classy for these.

Gossip Column was impressive when bolting up at Chester last Friday and can take the 6lb rise in his stride to land the Cash Out At bet365 Handicap (4.05) for Ian Williams.

Bought out of Charlie Hills' yard during the winter, the three-year-old has relished the switch to Williams, winning well at Windsor off 68 before just finding one too good in a competitive affair at Sandown last month.

Dropped in class on the Roodee, Gossip Column made light work off the front end under an excellent Richard Kingscote ride, relishing the step up to 1m2f.

PJ McDonald takes over this weekend but it's hard to see envisage a 6lb rise halting his progress, despite the presence of unexposed rivals Exhort and Epaulement.

At Haydock on Friday night, Mythical Madness should relish the drop in class in the Betfred Super League Handicap (7.55).

David O’Meara’s seven-year-old hasn’t won since landing a course and distance 13 months ago but has now dropped to a 4lb lower mark than that winning effort.

He’s ran some fine races in defeat since in some competitive handicaps, and wasn’t seen to best effect when fifth at Hamilton on Tuesday, short of room when coming with a challenge two out, and if David Nolan can find a clearer passage here, he could prove hard to beat.

In the Betfred World Cup Handicap (9.05) which closes the card, Mountain Peak should win from the front dropped back to five furlongs.

Ed Walker’s three-year-old absolutely bolted up at Leicester last week, making all and coming clear unchallenged, and a 6lb penalty looks highly unlikely to halt his progress under Liam Keniry, with the gelding once again able to take his chance in class five company. If anything this looks a weaker race than Leicester and any odds-against ought to be snaffled.