Evening racing

There is evening racing at 3 tracks - Ballinrobe in Ireland, Great Leighs (all-weather) and Kelso (N.H.). The track at Great Leighs has received great praise, but the facilities for racegoers are nowehere near ready and the paying public will not be allowed n for several weeks yet, while the floodlights are also not yet in operation, so that the first race is an early 18.20 CET. Unfportunately only 3 are likely to line up for the class 3 conditions race for 3yos at 19.50, in which ark Johnston´s Road t Love (Robert Winston) appears to have a simple task. By contrast, it now ooks much tougher for Mia´s Boy (Chris Dwyer/ Jimmy Quinn), who is going for a fourtimer in the class 3 handicap at 19.20; the handicapper has raised the rating by a total of 19 lbs, and at these weights Kay Gee Be (Mark Wallace/ Jamie Spencer) can be preferred. Ballinrobe stages a mixed meeting, with 3 flat races, 3 over hurdles and a bumper, while Kelso´s two best races are both class 3 events over 2 3/4 miles; My Turn Now (Charlie Mann/ Noel Fehily) was easily the best of the runners in the novice chase at 19.30 over hurdles, and if he jumps well on his first effort over fences can defeat the consistent Contact Damcer (Peter Bowen/ Seamus Durack). Twelve Paces (Peter Monteith/ Timmy Murphy) and Etched in Snow (Nicky Richards/ Rose Davidson) can fight out the finish of the handicap hurdle at 20.00, while Monteith should also go close in the novice hurdle an hour later with German-bred Sinatas (Ryan Mania)

Pontefract and Worcester

There is also racing this afternoon at Pontefract (flat) and Worcester (N.H.). At Worcester, thr steeplechase course is still unfit after the spring floods, and there will be 5 hurdles races and two bumpers. Trainer Ala King and jockey Robert Thornton can team up to win two races, the opening maiden hurdle at 15.00 CET with Bormo, and the 3 mile handicap hurcdle an hour later with Otarie; the latter must give weight away all round, but has won his last two races in opod style, and the opposition does not look strong. The novices hurdle at 17.15 should concern only Adroit Approach (Andrew Hales/ Wayne Kennedy) and Mambo des Mottes (Venetia Williams/ Sam Thomas), who is reverting to the smaller obstacles after several flops over fences. At Pontefract, where the ground will be very soft, the best race is the class 3 fillies handicap over 10 furlongs at 17.05. Henry Cecil´s German-bred Born Tobouggie (Tom Quealy), who won on his debut at Notingham a fortnight ago, faces a strong challenge from Richard Hannon´s La Colombina (Paul Hanagan), who is making her seasonal debut but showed progressive form last season. These are both 3yo´s; Ella (Alan Swinbank/ Neil Callan) looks best of the older horses.

Ascot opens doors

The royal racecourse at Ascot opens its doors today for the 2008 flat season with a strong card. Main feature is the Group Three Sagaro Stakes over 2 miles at 16.55 CET, an early Gold Cup trial. Connections of 9yo Distinction Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore)are still hoping for another crack at the big race of the Royal meeting, in which case he has to beat Soapy Danger (Mark Johnston/ Joe Fanning). The latter, who won the Queens Vase over this CD in 2006, later suffered an injury, but was back to form in a minor event at Doncaster last time out. The listed Paradise Stakes over a mile at 16.20 also has runners, who are hipoing for Group One succss later on, notably Cesare (James Fanshawe/ Jamie Spencer), who was a Group Two winner over this CD last July. However Royal Oath (John Gosden/ Jimmy Fortune), who was 1 1/4 lengths behind him then, now reopposes n 7lbs better terns, so there should be little in it today. The listed Pavilion Stakes for 3yo´s over 6 furlongs at 17.30 shpould go to Peter Chapple-Hyam, who saddles two runners Fat Boy (Frankie Dettori) and Spirit of Sharjah (Alan Munro); on Newmarket running, Frankie´s mount must be preferred, while seasonal debutant Tajdeef (Barry and Richard Hills) looks the biggest threat.