Find out why it could be best to ignore the Superior Mile market leaders

Saturday: 1.45 Haydock
Betfair Double Daily Rewards Superior Mile Stakes (Group 3) | 1m | 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

Lord Glitters and My Oberon dominate the market, but neither are infallible at this level and it could pay to focus on one of the bigger-priced runners.

That said, it would be wrong to detract from the achievements of globetrotting Lord Glitters, who has won nine of his 39 races, including the Group 1 Jebel Hatta at Meydan in March.

He is an admirable eight-year-old, but has been beaten on his last four starts, including in the Group 3 Strensall Stakes last month.

Time may tell he faced an impossible task in conceding 7lb to the winner Real World, but at skinny odds many will look elsewhere.

My Oberon finished fifth at York, performing well below the level of his Group 1 displays at Longchamp in May and at Royal Ascot, where he finished fourth behind Love in the Prince of Wales's Stakes.

The fitting of first-time blinkers can be taken either way – reportedly My Oberon didn't have a pleasant experience when hit over the head by the whip of a rival's jockey approaching the final furlong – and there doesn't seem much mileage in his price of 5-2 either.

Artistic Rifles has plenty to find on official ratings, but one can see why trainer Ed Bethell has aimed the five-year-old at this £80,000 Group 3 rather than making him carry a big weight in a handicap.

Winner of three of his four starts on turf this season, Artistic Rifles could have beaten Marie’s Diamond by three times the official margin at Hamilton last time if his jockey had pushed him out firmly. He will arrive at Haydock in peak form and full of confidence.

Expect him to either lead or sit a close second to Maydanny at a track that favours those sort of tactics, and don’t be surprised if he significantly outruns his 12-1 odds.

Johnston spots good opportunity for Maydanny

Mark Johnston is never one to pass up a good opportunity and he will no doubt have spotted this fast-ground Group 3 would cut up.

The 106-rated Maydanny has a bit to find with all bar one of his four rivals, but nonetheless merits his place in the race and few would be surprised if he lowered the colours of Lord Glitters and My Oberon.

Maydanny: won the Golden Mile at Glorious GoodwoodCredit: Alan Crowhurst

He was an authoritative winner of a fiercely contested mile handicap at Glorious Goodwood and could enjoy an easy time on the lead.

Angus Gold, racing manager to owners Shadwell, said: "They didn't go much of a pace in the mile handicap at York. His best trip might be a mile and a quarter, but it's a small field and Mark [Johnston] thought it worth a go. He deserves his chance in a Group company."

What they say

Tom Marquand, rider of My Oberon
He ran well in France and looked like his time was coming but he's had a couple of runs since without showing it. He worked in blinkers the other day and they seemed to ignite a spark in him so hopefully that can get him back to that French Group 1 form. He's a beautifully bred horse with a lot of ability and, while we've got a Group 1 winner to beat in Lord Glitters, we're hopeful this will get him back on track.

Ed Bethell, trainer of Artistic Rifles
We're throwing him in at the deep end. It looks a hot race, but the track and ground will suit and he's improving. Hopefully he can make it count. We're under no illusions about the task he faces, but he's got lots of confidence at the moment and the sharp mile looks ideal.

David O'Meara, trainer of Lord Glitters
He was giving weight away at York last time and still ran well. He loses his Group 1 penalty so we'd be hopeful of another big run.

Saturday's race previews:

2.20 Haydock: is Valley Forge a good thing to follow up his Melrose win?

2.40 Kempton: admirable Hukum aims for another Group 3 victory in September Stakes

2.55 Haydock: 'He has real quality about him' – trainers on their Old Borough Cup contenders

3.10 Ascot: they go together like salt and pepper – Graeme Rodway on racing's perfect match

3.30 Haydock: 'He's the one to beat' – can anyone stop Starman and Tom Marquand in Sprint Cup?

3.30 Haydock: Graeme Rodway on whether Starman can graduate to greatness in the Sprint Cup (Members' Club)