It's a cracking weekend for northern racegoers, with meetings at Thirsk and Haydock tomorrow, followed by the Sunday fixture at York.

Highlight at the Lancashire track is the £200,000 Group 1 Sprint Cup over six furlongs at 3.30, one of four televised races on BBC1.

Malhub (John Gosden), Continent (David Nicholls) and Landseer (Aiden O'Brien) were vying for joint favouritism at around 5/1 midweek and of the trio Malhub could possibly have the best credentials if only because the trainer is in sparkling form.

If the ground remains firm at Haydock, Gerard Butler's Nayyir and Godolphin's Three Points - a best-priced 10/1 and 12/1 respectively with sponsors Stanley Leisure - must go into the race with major chances.

The latter bounced back to winning form at Newmarket recently and sparkled on the gallops earlier this week. Three Points is the selection, but keep an eye on the weather. With heavy showers predicted, anything other than firm ground would mean a recalculation.

In the 1m 6f Showcase handicap at 3.00, Sir Michael Stoute's Navado can be given a big chance, while Mark Johnston's Takes Tutu has each way claims in the 4.05.

Channel 4 shows four races from Kempton Park and a brace from the local meeting at Thirsk. The Scoop6 pot is building up nicely again and could well be won tomorrow.

Mark Johnston's Robandela would be an interesting proposition if running in the 1.30 opener at Thirsk in preference to a more valuable race at Haydock, while Barry Hills' lightly raced Anne Tudor, who has run once and won once this season, is worth a second look if honouring an entry in the one mile handicap at 3.45.

At Kempton Park, the market should prove the best guide to the opener, a seven furlongs conditions race for two-year-olds. Vilas and Captain Saif have both won at the first time of asking, while the booking of Richard Hughes for Barry Hills' Gala Sunday could well prove significant.

Balakiref can go close in the six furlongs handicap at 2.50, with Asian Heights and Yavana's Pace set to fight out the finish, hopefully in that order, in the 1m 4f Group 3 September Stakes at 3.20.

The sixth leg of the Scoop 6 looks the trickiest - a 1m 2f handicap at 3.55. Recent winners Dream Magic and Moving Experience could well figure again.

The bonus race on both BBC1 and Channel 4 is the much-prized and extremely valuable Group 1 Champion Stakes from Leopardstown at 4.00. Hawk Wing is likely to start an odds-on favourite for the all-conquering O'Brien stable, provided there are no after-effects of the recent bout of coughing.

More interesting as an each way betting proposition though at around 25/1 may be Gerard Butler's Common World.

The Sunday meeting at York begins at 2.00, with a highly competitive seven-race card in prospect. There will be a real family atmosphere on the Knavesmire and I'd strongly recommend the experience to racegoers old and new.