Racing tips: Thor Der Cerisy will have too much for the Veterans at Haydock

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The return to the flat wasn't a happy place for me on AW Champions Day at Newcastle, with all three horses running below what I expected. A few dodgy rides in there, which is always the case on the flat, but that's the way it goes.

Meydan 4:35 – Kabirkhan 9/2 (1pt)

There is some very good racing at Meydan but not much screams out like they are worthy of a bet other than Kabirkhan in the Dubai World Cup.

There is a strong possibility that Kabirkhan will be outclassed in this Group 1 race against some proper dirt horses but I think he is worth a chance. This horse has come from Kazakhstan and then Russia to now being 2/2 at Dubai, which is one of the most weirdest paths I've seen in horse racing, but there is no doubting this lad's ability as he clearly has plenty. He is a big strapping horse who was clearly held in high regard when making his stable debut for Doug Watson as he was backed in favourite and Pat Dobbs was on board him, when he could've gone for the other Russian newcomer from Doug's yard, but he knew what level horse he was sitting on as he won by 4L with ease. The stakes were higher last time out in a Group 1, he was much shorter this time and went off as 5/6F, he might've not been as easy on the eye this time around, but it was a Group 1 and he still won pretty much on the bridle. Pat Dobbs could've won the race by not moving on him, but he shook him up and got an instant reply when a bit of pressure was applied and he put lengths between the field.

I know the level of horses he is up against today is very different from the Group 1 he won as you have the Asian horses turning up and we all know what they are capable of, but I just think this lad has more under the bonnet and we might only just see when he has to dig deep. I am more than happy to take the odds on him as I think he comes into this with a live chance, especially from Stall 2 which should allow him to get a prominent position.

Haydock 3:15 – Thor De Cerisy 7/1 (1pt, Bet365)

My most tipped up horse of the year is definitely Thor De Cerisy and he is making another return this Saturday.

I have put up Thor De Cerisy on four occasions this jumps season, which is something quite special and to say I feel hard done with is an understatement as I think he should've won on every start I've stuck him up. He was given a poor ride at Uttoxeter under Richie McLernon, then fell at the last at the same track on his next start when having the race in the palm of his hands, he then won on his next start when not tipped up and then last time out he won a three-runner race where two of the other horses fell or were brought down. The form of his 5th/5 at Uttoxeter in December has been franked, and I'm frankly getting bored of saying how good that form is. The winner has since won again and the third has won twice, as well as the fourth being a runner-up. He then went on to win with ease at Chepstow on heavy ground and then on his last start, I think he would've won in the same manner even if the horses didn't fall as James Bowen was sat cool as a cucumber, stalking those ahead of him and the jockeys on the other two horses were beginning to ask their mounts for an effort. The way this horse is running, I think he is a huge player in this Veterans' race against some seriously exposed horses. My selection is still unexposed and is definitely improving, and that seems like a winning combination against horses who are on the decline. He handles the ground and gets the best jockey in the country on board in Harry Cobden. What's not to like?

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