Big Mojo handed Sandy Lane assignment at Haydock

Big Mojo will run in the Betfred Sandy Lane Stakes over six furlongs at Haydock on Saturday in preference to the Temple Stakes over five.

Trainer Mick Appleby hopes to see his stable star book his place in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot over the same distance.

With Tom Marquand not available, William Buick has been booked to take his place.

“We didn’t confirm him for the Temple and entered him for the Sandy Lane,” said Appleby.

“At this stage, the Commonwealth Cup is the plan at Ascot, so it made sense to have another run over six. We may as well keep him against the three-year-olds.”

Big Mojo won Ascot’s Commonwealth Cup Trial on his seasonal reappearance over six furlongs.

Others in the Sandy Lane include Richard Fahey’s unbeaten Mill Reef winner Powerful Glory, Charlie Appleby’s Symbol Of Honour, Charlie Johnston’s Dash Dizzy and Adrian Murray’s Arizona Blaze among 11 entries.

The Temple has 14 confirmations as an early-closing race.

They include Ralph Beckett’s Breeders’ Cup winner Starlust, Karl Burke’s Night Raider, Ed Walker’s Mgheera and Jim Goldie’s rapidly improving American Affair.

There are 19 in the Betfred ‘Nifty 50’ British EBF Hedge of Oak Stakes, with Running Lion looking to bounce back from a lacklustre showing at Newmarket last time out.

Diamond Rain, Estrange and Ejaabiyah are among other possibles for the Listed race for fillies and mares.