Today´s flat racing

Plenty of racing today, but mainly at a low level. The best sport comes from Newmarket, where the 3yo maiden over 10 furlongs at 16.30 CET has some interesting runners, notably Mata Keranjang (Paul Cole/ Jamie Spencer) is the likely favourite, having been campaigned so far exclusively in listed and group races. He has easily the best rating here, but there are several well-bred debutants from big stables in the line-up, while All Action (Henry Cecil/ Tom Queally) has shaped well on both his starts and is our main fancy. Cecil and Queally can also take the handicap over the same trip at 15.55 with Feathered Crown, an easy winner at Leicester last time. In this event the two top weights, Ouster (David Elsworth/ Kieren Fallon) and Raptor (Mark Rimmer/ Michael Murphy), are both German-bred. They were both well beaten in the same race over this CD last time, but we would not be surprised to see the former run much better this time. The best betting race is the 7 furlongs handicap at 17.05, with 16 runners and every one of them with a chance. St.Moritz (Mark Johnston/ Frankie Dettori) is clearly on for the short list; he was 5th in last year´s Dr. Busch-Memorial, following which he was gelded. He was beaten on his only race since but definitely has prospects here.

The Newcastle card is not inspiring, but we expect consistent Lisbon Lion (Jimmy Moffatt/ Freddie Tylicki) to be placed in the 1 1/2 miles handicap at 16.20. He is still a maiden after 15 starts, so is not necessarily a good thing, but should certainly be in the money.

At Brighton, we consider that Sir Mark Prescott can land a double with his two runners - the well-bred debutant Cafe Elektric in the 2yo maiden at 15.30, and Aestival in the 10 furlongs handicap at 16.40, both partnered by Seb Sanders. Prescott traditionally starts the season very slowly. but his horses have been running well this week and he had winner here yesterday.

Best race at this evening´s two flat meetings is the 2yo conditions race at 20.30 at Pontefract. 6 runners, all winners, 3 of them unbeaten. It is hard to choose between them, but with Richard Hannon´s juveniles carrying all before them, we have chosen My Son Max (Pat Dobbs), runner-up at a neck to the useful Klammer last time.
There are some small fields at Haydock, and Hoof It (Mick Easterby/ Graham Gibbons) has only 3 opponents in the 5 furlongs handicap for 3yo´s at 20.40. He was heavily backed when winning at York last time, and although he has gone up a lot in the weights for that success, should complete a May hat-trick here.