Weekend Preview / Timeform / 17 April 2009 / Leave a comment

Timeform look ahead to an action-packed weekend of racing at Ayr, Doncaster, Lingfield, Naas, Newbury, Nottingham, Stratford and Wincanton.

Newbury stage a classy looking card on Saturday with the John Porter, Greenham, and Fred Darling Stakes attracting some useful types.

Sheema Classic second Spanish Moon looks the one to beat in the John Porter, although he faces stiff opposition in the form of Royal And Regal, Centennial and Winter Derby winner Scintillo.

Throw in Barry Hills' Tastahil and this looks to be a race worth savouring. Tastahil comes here on the back of an impressive win at Doncaster and shouldn't be underestimated here.

Mick Channon's Lahaleeb sets the standard in the Fred Darling. Last year's Rockfel winner makes her seasonal reappearance here and it will take a career-best performance from one of her opponents if she is to be beaten. Recent Leopardstown winner Maoineach should ensure Lahaleeb has to work whilst Michael Bell's Sariska comes here with a lofty reputation and will have to go close at least if she is justify her trainers opinion of her.

The Greenham sees some of last year's best two-year-olds clash and it will be interesting to see how they've improved over the winter. Dewhurst runner-up Lord Shanakill just heads the ratings with third and fourth in that race, Finjaan and Shaweel close behind. Roger Charlton's Cityscape was well fancied to win last year's Royal Lodge and he shouldn't be far away, although it remains to be seen whether this seven-furlong trip will be a sufficient test of stamina.

Doncaster race also, with the Doncaster Mile Stakes looking the feature race. King of Dixie made an impressive reappearance in a minor event at Kempton last month and faces stiffer opposition here. However, the manner of that success suggests he's as good as ever and will be hard to beat. His opponents include Staying On and Unnefer, as well as the improving Atlantic Sport. Later on the card, Shemoli should go close in the maiden.

There is also flat racing at Thirsk and Nottingham. At the latter venue, Gillburg should win the opening maiden after a promising debut, and later on the card Mt Kintyre will bid to gain compensation for an unlucky defeat at Pontefract where he snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, drifting badly across the track when surely about to win.

At Thirsk, useful sprinter Wi Dud makes his seasonal reappearance in the conditions stakes; he faces strong opposition in the form of Hitchens, Quaroma and recent Newmarket third Knot In Wood, the latter unsure of running having raced yesterday.

There's National Hunt racing at Ayr and Bangor, the Scottish Grand National and Champion Hurdle looking races to savour at Ayr. The Champion Hurdle features Supreme Hurdle runner-up Medermit and he should be hard to beat. Tim Vaughan's Ski Sunday is improving quickly and looks sure to be thereabouts again whilst Sentry Duty can't be ruled out either.

Twenty-one go to post for the Scottish Grand National and the weights are headed by Dear Villez. Nine De Sivola has been well backed but it's a big concern that he's yet to win a chase. Tricky Trickster won well at Cheltenham and has the potential to do better still, and he shouldn't be far away. At Bangor, veteran Kandjar D'Allier will bid to get back on the winning trail in the 4.25 whilst Double The Trouble should go close in the novices' chase.

Naas also race on Saturday, with the feature race being the listed Woodland Stakes. Benbaun will bid to enhance his already impressive record in Ireland, although away from his beloved Curragh. Former Nunthorpe and Sprint Cup winner Reverence will be in opposition, although he doesn't appear the force of old.

On Sunday, racing takes place at Lingfield, Wincanton and Stratford, as well as Leopardstown and Tramore in Ireland. At Lingfield, the finale looks the best race of the day in terms of quality, with Icelandic and Masta Plasta both holding strong chances. In-form trainer Mrs Caroline Keevil saddles Dizzy Future at Wincanton, he bids for the four-timer here and should go close whilst What A Friend looks a class above his rivals in the novices' chase at Stratford.

The Ballysax Stakes at the Curragh should prove an informative guide to this year's Derby; John Oxx looks to hold a very strong hand with both Mourayan and Vitruvian Man lining up. They will be opposed by the unbeaten Fame And Glory, trained by Aidan O'Brien as well as Grace O'Malley who looks sure to improve significantly on her debut win last year. At Tramore, Dooneys Gate looks to hold a strong chance in the 4.15 whilst Meritorious shouldn't be far away in the opening maiden hurdle.