Stoute sends De Guise on familiar path

SIR Michael Stoute bagged the Panmure Gordon Stockbroking Fillies' Handicap at Sandown with a smart type in Leocorno last year and he again holds the whip hand this evening with Marie De Guise.

She showed a fantastic attitude when prevailing by a short head at Nottingham on her first racecourse start earlier in the month. Richie Mullen was certainly not hard on the Verglas filly that day, which leaves her open to any amount of progression, with Ryan Moore in the saddle this time.

The Peter Chapple-Hyam-trained Hayzoom takes his first step into handicap company on the same Esher card but he boasts some strong maiden form. He lines up in the Harry Panmure Gordon Memorial Handicap after winning a Chepstow heat in fine style on his 2010 bow.

However, it is his fifth place behind Derby contender Bullet Train last October that really catches the eye and he could be a bit better than this in time.

Richard Hannon has made his usual quickfire start in the first half of the season and Gene Autry can keep the bandwagon rolling at Haydock.

Paco Boy, Dick Turpin and Canford Cliffs have flown the Hannon flag admirably in the big races so far this term and while Gene Autry is not at their level, he looks just the type for the Betdaq The Betting Exchange Handicap.

Hannon has a pretty high opinion of this lightly-raced Zavata colt, who opened his account on the last of three maiden starts in 2009. The three-year-old ran a race full of promise when starting back this season, finishing just a head behind Masked Dance on unsuitably easy ground at Warwick at the beginning of the month.

While the winner dug deep to hold his challenge, Gene Autry ran a highly satisfactory race.

Although a 4lb rise may appear a little harsh, Hannon's runner is on the upgrade.

Jordaura hit the bar at Ascot last time but compensation awaits in the Win 3 Million At footballpools.com Handicap.

A winner on his final start last year, the four-year-old shrugged off a slightly lacklustre reappearance to finish a three-quarter-length second in a competitive enough heat. He was probably given a little too much to do that day in what was a tactical affair but ridden more positively this time, he can get his head back in front.

Confessional struggled in the early stages at Chester last time but can return to his best on a more conventional track at Southwell. The three-year-old finished with purpose after getting a bit left behind and given he prefers slightly easier ground, the Fibresand surface in the Bet Champions League Final – Betdaq Handicap should suit.

Elvira Madigan is tipped to get her campaign off to a winning start at Salisbury.