Weekend Preview: Quality action at Ayr and Newbury to savour

Racing gets underway at 13:30 at Newbury on Saturday with a one-mile maiden, and the pick of the field looks to be Frankel's full-brother, Noble Mission, who made an encouraging debut last season when second to Swedish Sailor at Yarmouth. Of the debutants, Modern Tutor has to be respected from the Sir Michael Stoute yard, whilst On My Own could be another worth keeping an eye on.

The Surprise Stakes comes half an hour later with a small but select field going to post for the Group 3 contest over a mile and a half. Timeform Horse to Follow Fiorente is arguably the most promising of the runners, but he will have to improve if hoping to challenge the likes of Arctic Cosmos and Harris Tweed. Allied Powers and Modun are also all entered in what looks a fascinating affair.

Group racing comes thick and fast from the West Berkshire track with the Group 3 Fred Darling Stakes next on the menu. Best Terms was one of last season's leading juvenile fillies and she heads a field of nine for what looks an intriguing seven-furlong. Best Terms done her winning at up to six furlongs last season and, while her ability to stay the extra distance isn't guaranteed, she is clear on Timeform ratings.

The highlight of the afternoon at Newbury could well be the Group 3 Greenham Stakes, with 2000 Guineas hopeful, Top Offer potentially the most exciting horse on display. Top Offer still has something to find in form terms with the likes of Bronterre and Caspar Netscher but, such was the manner of his debut performance, Top Offer looks a group horse in the making. The turn of foot he demonstrated in taking a course-and-distance maiden was striking and he has since come in for some serious support for the first classic of the season.

There is also space on the Newbury card for a class 2 handicap, with the Spring Cup scheduled to go off at 15:45. Captain Bertie currently heads the Timeform figures but it is tight between him and a few others and it might be that Emilio Largo has the potential to improve past his main rivals given his lightly-raced profile and generally progressive nature. Dubawi Sound is another who should do better this year.

Nottingham and Thirsk play host to the other Flat turf meetings on Saturday, with the latter arguably possessing the stronger card of the two, a minro event over seven furlongs looking to be their highlight. My Freedom and Smarty Socks currently head the field in ratings terms, with the former having already found winning form this season when taking a seven-furlong race at Lingfield last week.

There is also an evening meeting at Wolverhampton on Saturday.

The picturesque Ayr will be the focus for National Hunt fans this weekend with the Scottish Grand National due off at 15:25. Merigo , who recieved a positive write-up in Matt Gardner's Ante-Post Preview, looks the one to beat having finished won the 2010 renewal before finishing second, and a recent spin at the course in March will have put him just right. There are plenty in with chances however, including Harry The Viking and Portrait King, the former having finished second in the four-miler at the Cheltenham Festival and the latter having taken the Eider Chase last time.

The Scottish Champion Hurdle will arguably provide the greatest spectacle on the Ayr undercard with Clerk's Choice currently heading the weights. He'll have his work cut out though with Red Merlin, Charm School and Edgardo Sol all entered. Of that trio, the Timeform Betfair Racing Club-owned Red Merlin looks the most progressive having won on each of his last four starts, progressing throughout.

The other feature on the card is the Future Champion Novices' Chase, where a field of six are set to go to post. Lidar currently tops the ratings for the race having put in a bold front-running display last time and he may be able to repeat that display. The relatively small field should see him at his best and, if he gets into a good jumping rhythm, he'll be difficult to beat. Pacha du Polder and Pure Faith are arguably the biggest dangers but Lancetto will improve for quicker ground and he is another who could figure.

Bangor is the other location for jumps racing on Saturday with a seven-race card scheduled to kick-off at 13:50.

Naas is the scene for the only meeting of the day in Ireland with the County Kildare course hosting a seven-race Flat card. The best race on offer is a listed event over five furlongs with Spirit Quartz heading the field after an impressive debut display for Robert Cowell at Lingfield last time. Spirit Quartz was a group winner in Italy and, judging by his latest showing, he could prove effective at that level in Britain and Ireland.

Wincanton and Stratford are the two venues for National Hunt racing on Sunday, with both cards generally dominated by handicaps.

Over in Ireland, the Curragh will host an eight-race Flat card featuring two listed contests and a Group 3. The Group 3 Gladness Stakes, due off at 16:20, is set to feature Excelebration , who will be giving weight to the likes of Billyford and Beacon Lodge making Ballydoyle debut. Despite that, he will take plenty of beating and should be in more another very profitable season.

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