CRAGGAKNOCK, who, in the words of his North Yorkshire trainer Mark Walford, 'is still a big baby,' is growing up fast and can underline his prowess as a progressive stayer at Haydock this afternoon.

The Brown Shipley Wealth Well Managed Handicap over one and three-quarter miles is the target for Craggaknock, who got off the mark at Pontefract at the end of last month.

That winning performance was all the more noteworthy as the lightly-raced three-year-old was very green out in front most of the way and required a good ride from Jason Hart to keep his concentration levels high and going forward as he looked around like a typically inexperienced horse.

Craggaknock will have learned plenty at Pontefract over a mile and a half. Today's slightly longer distance will suit him even better and although this is a tougher contest, the Sheriff Hutton-based gelding is fancied to make a bold bid off bottom weight in the hands of Duran Fentiman.

Big Storm Coming is napped to oblige for Norton trainer Brian Ellison in the hands of Betdaq Haydock Park Apprentice Training Series Handicap.

The four-year-old won at Newcastle three weeks ago and off a 4lb higher mark, he will surely take plenty of beating in the hands of Megan Carberry, who has made a big impression riding out of the Ellison yard this summer after coming over from Ireland.

The Family Fun Day Here 7th August Handicap may provide Tyfos with the chance to resume winning ways.

Brian Baugh's speedy gelding is nothing if not consistent and he followed up at Leicester win with a good effort in defeat at Newbury on his latest start. He should go well, but faces some stiff competition from the likes of Master Bond and Cruise Tothelimit.

Idder, who looks to coming into form, is fancied to clinch the Racing UK Anywhere Available Now Handicap, while Elsiniaar, likewise trained by Roger Varian, is an interesting runner in the Lancashire Life Maiden Stakes after showing promise in his one and only outing to date last season.

At Pontefract's popular evening fixture, Zac Brown, trained by David Barron, pictured, may upset the applecart of Paul Midgley, who saddles three of the ten runners in the featured £15,000 Betfred Handicap, including last year's winner Another Wise Kid.

Midgley, also represented by Adam's Ale and Oldjoesaid, both previous course winners, has strong claims, but Barron may trump him with Zac Brown, who made a winning start to his campaign in a Thirsk maiden race which he won easily at odds-on.

This is considerably tougher, but Zac Brown, who showed ability in all his three starts last season, is open to significant improvement and remains a horse of genuine potential.

Makin The Rules won at Catterick recently and turns out again under a penalty in the Injured Jockeys' Fund 50th Anniversary Handicap.

Norton trainer John Quinn has handed the mount to Joe Doyle, whose apprentice allowance conveniently erases the penalty and provides Makin The Rules with an excellent chance of following-up.

In the Colstrope Cup Handicap, Elusive Guest, the mount of Kieren Fallon, can follow up his recent success on behalf of Newmarket trainer George Margarson.

Richard Fahey may hold the key to the opening Countrywide Freight Maiden Auction Stakes with Third Time Lucky, provided the juvenile can overcome his wide draw.

Tony Hamilton's mount is berthed in stall 12 on the outside of the field, which is hardly ideal, but he showed plenty of promise when third on his debut at Newcastle after being sent off favourite.

Lady Cecil's Hoop Of Colour (7.00) and Kinema (8.35), likewise trained in Newmarket by Ed Walker, are two others to note at Pontefract.

Selections

Haydock today

2.10 Idder, 2.40 Brindle, 3.15 Signore Piccolo, 3.50 Tyfos, 4.25 Craggaknock, 4.55 Elsiniaar, 5.25 Big Storm Coming (NAP).

Pontefract today

6.30 Third Time Lucky, 7.00 Hoop Of Colour, 7.30 Zac Brown, 8.00 Elusive Guest, 8.35 Kinema, 9.05 Makin The Rules.

Today's other meetings

Hamilton, Newbury, Newmarket and Nottingham.

Tomorrow's meetings

Cartmel, Haydock, Lingfield, Market Rasen, Newbury, Newmarket and Ripon.