Bank Holiday in Britain

Today is May Bank Holiday in Britain, which replaces the traditional May day holiday, and as usual there is lots of low level racing - all on the flat and all in the afternoon. Frankie Dettori and Kieren Fallon are in action at the all-weather meeting at Kempton, but we do not fancy their chances in the best race, a mile handicap at 17.00 CET. Frankie rides Arachnophobia for Pat Eddery, but his draw (2) is a distinct disadvantage, while he is unproven over the distance, while Kieren is on Paul Cole´s Moynahan, who has a very poor strike rate (1 win from 20 starts). Our tip here is Desert Kiss (Walter Swinbirn/ Adam Kirby), who is still improving, while the inconsistent Orchard Supreme (Richard Hannon/ Patrick Hills) could run well at big price.

Ryan Moore could be the star of the show at nearby Windsor. In the two best handicaps he rodes the bottom weights Lay Claim at 16.25 and King´s Song an hour later for Sir Michael Stoute and both have chances. King´ s Song should certainly get the better of his recent CD conqueror Aurorian (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) as he meets him on 6 lbs better terms for a neck defeat.

The best betting race at Beverley is the 10 furlongs handicap at 16.20. Our selection here is King Fingal (John Quinn/ Ian Brennan), who may the trip more suitable than the 12 furlongs he has been running over. Baltimore Jack (Tim Walford/ Graham Gibbons), while in view of the excellent stable form, one should also consider Herrera (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan), who has been off since October. Sir Michael Stoute´s talented apprentice Louis-Philippe Beuzelin makes his comeback at Warwick today after a long injury break (from a car accident in the Caribbean) and can win the fillies maiden for his boss on Cabal at 18.10 t. Lost Horizon (Hannon/ Pat Dobbs) looks the only conceivable danger. Also at Warwick we like Jigajig (Kevin and Amy Ryan) in the 5 furlongs handicap for 3yo´s at 16.40.

Of several German-breds running today, the one we think has the best chance is Mountain Forest (Hughie Morrison/ Jimmy Quinn), who can complete a hat-trick in the first division of the 2 mile handicap at Chepstow at 17.05. The second division, half an hour later, can go to Sangfroid (Nick Williams/ William Buick), who has not run on the flat for 2 1/2 years but has been in good form over hurdles.