More rain

The bad weather continues and the ground will be much softer than forecast at many courses today, with consequent non-runners. Particularly badly affected could be Beverley, which has called for an inspection. It would be really bad news if they had to abandon - although that does not .look likely at the moment- as the E, Yorkshire track´s evening meeting has easily the best card of the day. The Hilary Needler Trophy for 2yo fillies at 20.30 CET is not as good a race as it used to be, but could still be a good guide to Royal Ascot prospects. Tim Easterby took this last year and has another good chance with Don´t tell Annie (David Allan), a close fifth in a better race at York´s big meeting a fortnight ago. Cajoling (Johnny Portman/ Harry Bentley) could be the main danger; she was a shock 33-1 winner last time, but there was no fluke about the way she won that Windsor event. We also like Make On Madam (Brian Ellison/ Dale Swift), who is still a maiden but ran well enough over this CD last Saturday; as a daughter of Captain Rio she should also handle very soft ground.

The best horses in action today will be seen in the 5 furlongs conditions race here half an hour later. Most of them are coming off a long break, so it hard to make a prediction. Hamish McGonagall (Easterby/ Allan) last ran in the Nunthorpe last August; his excellent fourth place there is the best form in the race. York Glory (Kevin Ryan/ Barry McHugh) finished behind him then, but ended last season with an excellent second to Maarek on soft ground at Newbury. Victory Laurel (Robert Cowell/ Bentley) had good form in Italy last year, while Arnold Lane (Mick Channon/ Sam Hitchcott) won the Silberne Peitsche at Munich; he is down in trip now, but maybe a stiff 5 furlongs on soft going is just what he needs.

Racing this afternoon is all at a very low level, but our eye is caught by a couple of German-breds at Hamilton. Linda Perratt has two runners in the 6 furlongs handicap at 17.15, with Bunce (Jack Garrity) likely to start favourite; but we like Jinky (Jope Fanning), who is out of a Big Shuffle mare from a good German family, and he could go well at a big price. In the stayers handicap at 17.50, A Southside Boy (Jim Goldie/ Graham Lee) will attempt to repeat his 2013 victory. he is not so well handicapped now, but runs his best races here and as a son of Samum, will not mind the rain. Obvious danger is Saved by The Bell (David O´Meara/ David Nolan), runner-up in a big field at Doncaster last time.