Bath, Newcastle and Catterick

The best race at Bath this afternoon is the fillies handicap over a mile at 17.30 CET, in which German-bred Evening Sunset (Mick Quinlan/ David Probert) must have a decent chance after a good seasonal debut. The 2 mile + handicap half an hour later has only 6 runners, and should mainly concern Ascot specialist Baddam (Ian Williams/ Saleem Golam) and top-weight Callisto Moon (Roger Curtis/ Darryll Holland).

Both have been running over hurdles, and we have slight preference for the latter, who is a CD winner. Both Frankie Dettori and Kieren Fallon are riding at Newcastle, although the card is nothing special. Frankie should win the fillies maiden at 16.40 on Michael Jarvis´ promising Kronful, and also has a chance in the 3yo handicap half an hour later on the same trainer´s On the Cusp, while Fallon can take the two divisions of the 7 furlongs handicap at 18.10 and 18.40 on Mick Channon´ s Eye for the Girls and Paul Howling´ s top-weight Guildenstern respectively.

Most interesting runner at Catterick´s evening meeting is Poppets Lovein (Andy Haynes/ Jamie Spencer), who makes her seasonal debut in the 7 furlongs handicap at 20.00. She is a half-sister to Overdose (due to run at Hoppegarten on Sunday). Main dangers should be top-weight Ezdeyaad (Alan Swinbank/ Peter McDonald) and Cornus (Alan McCabe/ Declan Cannon), who have both run good races in the last few days.

Irish racing today

The best racing in Britain and Ireland today is at the Curragh, where 3 group races are run. The Tetrarch Stakes over 7 furlongs at 15.45 CET has 7 runners, but looks very open. Perhaps Aznavour (John Oxx/ Fran Berry), an easy winner only 8 days ago on his debut, can make the step up to this grade. Mark Johnston, who has runners all over today, send Hacienda (Royston Ffrench), who is also moving up in grade after winning two minor events in England and that one could be the danger. Aidan O´Brien, for whom the season has hardly gone to plan so far, saddles 3 runners in the Athasi Stakes, also over 7 furlongs at 16.15, and Famous (Johnny Murtagh) coud take this for the Ballydoyle stable, while their Fame and Glory, despite his flop first time out this season, looks virtually unbeatable in the Mooresbridge Stakes over 10 furlongs at 17.15.

There are also two N.H. meetings in Ireland today, both with huge fields. The best event is the 2 3/4 mile hurdles race at 16.20 at Down Royal, in which Rigour Back Bob (Edward O´Grady/ Andrew McNamara) can follow up his recent Punchestown success by defeating Gordon Elliott`s Perth winner Meath All Star (Jason Maguire). Elliott and Maguire can gain compensation by winning the beginners chase at 17.20 with Jessica´s Dream. At Limerick, Dolly Hall (Willie Burke / Paul Townend) can take the mares beginners chase at 17.00, in which she meets much lesser opposition than was the case last time at the Fairyhouse Easter meeting.

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.