6 meetings today

There is plenty of racing today, including the first U.K., evening meeting of the season, at Bath. Main feature there is the listed race for fillies over 5 furlongs at 19.30 CET. 13 runners here, but very few of them are of genuine listed class and we shall take a chance on two fillies who will need too improve - My Propeller (Peter Chapple-Hyam/ Andrea Atzeni), winner of a Yarmouth handicap when last seen in September, and Swan Song (Andrew Balding/ Jimmy Fortune), coming off an even longer break. Balding already has his string in good form and usually does well at this track, and his runner is out of the champion Lochsong, trained by his father to win the Abbaye and other top sprints over this distance.

There is also U.K.flat racing kin turf at Newbury, where 4 of the 7 races are restricted to 3yo´s with very little form to go on. One who catches the eye on breeding is Bohemian Dance /SIr Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore) at 17.45, out of GP von Baden and Breeders Cup Turf winner Islington; however Stoute is maing his usual slow start to the seaspn and we would rather wait a bit.The handicaps for older horses offer better betting opportunities in our view, and we like Pateese (Philip Hobbs/ Jamie Spencer) at 17.15 and El Viento (Richard Fahey/ Barry McHugh) at 18.15. Pateese in particular is interesting, as he has not run on the flat for ages, but is in very good form over hurdles.

Ayr has its big N.H. meeting start today, and the major races, including the Scottish Grand Natuonal, are all tomorrow. Today´s card is less exciting and with some small fields is not very punter-friendly. If all 8 run, we think that German-bred Bocciani (Brian Ellison/ Tom Scudamore) could be a solid each-way bet in the 2 1/2 mile handicap chase at 15.40. Please note that Tony McCoy will not be riding, following his heavy fall at Cheltenham yesterday, but Grand National winning jockey Ryan Mania will be back, while Ruby Walsh will be here for just one ride - Paul Nicholls´ Rebel Rebellion in the novices handicap chase at 16.15; he was pulled up last time at Aintree, but the much softer ground today should suit him.

Bath - betting forecast:
1. Race: Beau Nash - El Duque - Sartori
2. Race: Shore Step - Burnt Fingers - Zhiggy`s Stardust
3. Race: Space Artist - Oscars Journey - Shrimpton
4. Race: Jwala - Excelette - My Propeller
5. Race: Destiny Of Dreams - Moment In Time - Running Deer
6. Race: Galiotto - Our Folly - Rock Peak
7. Race: Spellmaker - Chosen One - Where`S Reiley