A GLUT of seriously competitive handicaps alongside group events this weekend across four attractive meetings. Traditionally, the Silver Bowl Handicap, restricted to three-year-olds, at Haydock (3.00), attracts a big field, but this year there are only 10 set to line up and the Andrew Balding filly NEBULOSA looks a cracking bet.

I know that her trainer feels she is capable of making her mark outside of handicap class and with the soft ground most definitely in her favour here she looks sure to go well off a relatively light-weight of 8-12 which equated to a handicap mark of just 86. There is plenty more to come from this daughter of Archipenko following her last-gasp win over seven furlongs at Goodwood and the extra yardage here is certainly in her favour.

Of her rivals, Heights of Abraham impressed on his sole start this year and a 6lbs penalty certainly isn’t prohibitive, while Wobwobwob won in silky smooth fashion at York and there is no reason why he shouldn’t be as effective over this extra 220 yards.

The Temple Stakes at 4.10 normally throws up a contender for the King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, but this year’s renewal looks somewhat short on quality.

What we do know is that the ultra speedy Chester winner Jabbarockie will take them along at a rate of knots, but the question is can he hold on inside the distance? I fancy that he could set the race up for KEEP BUSY who has a fair record when fresh and will revel in the testing conditions. Anything around the 4/1 mark would make the selection well worth an investment in this Group Two sprint.

The three-year-olds go to post for their Commonwealth Cup trial, the Sandy Lane Stakes at 3.35 where the unbeaten all-weather specialist Dragon Symbol is likely to start favourite in what looks a hugely open renewal.

METHOD’S (nap) second to Winter Power in the Cornwallis Stakes has been well and truly cemented already this season and Martyn Meade’s runner has reportedly been flying at home. This step back up to six furlongs is what he has been crying out for and I think he is one of the stronger wagers I will be having today.

As far as the four handicaps on the card are concerned the only bet I shall be having in this sector will be on SPEEDO BOY (each way) in the two miler due off at 2.25.

The Ian Williams-trained charge is very talented over hurdles and on the flat, and ran a race full of promise when finishing fourth of 13 in the Chester Cup consolation earlier in the month. Any further easing in the ground certainly won’t prove a problem and he may get the better of the Roger Varian-trained Postileo.

At Newmarket the going will also be on the soft side with more heavy showers forecast. APPARATE is a horse I have been waiting to reappear and the Varian charge makes his five-year-old debut off a mark of 95 at 2.35.

Very lightly raced for a horse of his age (this will be the 10th run of his career) the son of Dubawi has endured several niggly problems during his career to date, but has been pleasing in his home work of late and may be able to give the weight away to Newmarket raider Law of One.

Later on, I am pretty sweet on the chance of LUNAR JET in the mile-and-a-quarter handicap at 4.50. The course and distance winner showed his turn was just around the corner at Chester last time out and is taken to step up here at the main expense of the well handicapped Man of the Night.

Goodwood’s Listed Festival Stakes at 2.10 has a small but select field and although Stormy Antarctic comes here in good form, this extended trip may just prove a shade too far for him if they go a decent clip.

The nod goes to MAJESTIC DAWN who remains open to significant improvement on only his 12th career start. He may well have been somewhat flattered by his success in the Cambridgeshire last year due to an advantageous draw, but if he can dictate here I suspect he will be able to take this rise in class in his stride.

TALBOT could be the answer to the three-year-old handicap at 2.50 for Brian Meehan, while MISS MULLIGAN looks a solid wager to see off Beauty Stone in the fillies’ handicap at 4.00.

Repartee could run a big race following a wind operation in the York 2.05, but he may just have to give best to the consistent Escobar in the seven furlong handicap. A mark of 107 hardly gives him any leeway, but the make-up of this race is perfect for him.

Later on at the Knavesmire, LIVE YOUR DREAM (nb) should run well under top-weight at 3.15, while COUNT D’ORSAY has stable mate Copper Knight to worry about in the sprint handicap at 3.50. The selection probably ran too free behind his next-door neighbour nine days ago and if held onto for a bit longer, he should step up significantly here.

Finally have a second look at NICKS NOT WONDER in the mile-and-a-half handicap at Lingfield Park at 5.55. The selection simply didn’t act on the Fibresand last time out, but on his breeding he should have no problem with the slow turf on his grass debut. Later on the card at the Surrey track, ZUMAATY may well defy top-weight in the extended seven furlong handicap at 7.35.

The extended mile at Wolverhampton may well have been a shade too far for him last time out and this drop in trip looks sure to suit him.