Plenty of racing today, probably far too much. Jump racing takes place at Aintree in the evening, whilst flat racing takes place at York, Newmarket, Newbury and Hamilton (evening). All-Weather racing takes place at Newcastle in the evening, whilst Cork (flat) and Downpatrick (jumps) host meetings in Ireland. Here are Danny Archer's selections...
Vic to Kick rivals into touch at Aintree
6:40: Aintree - Free Stone Hill.
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Dan Skelton's charge won by seven lengths at Stratford and whilst he has been raised 7lb for that victory, he could potentially follow up.
8:20: Aintree - Southfield Vic.
Two easy wins recently which included a decisive success at Newton Abbot last time. He will relish ground conditions and with Bryony Frost taking 7lb off, he looks capable of defying a 9lb rise.
8:00: Cork - Bee Queen.
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Finished fourth on debut staying on nicely from the back of the field and dwelt from the stalls. This daughter of Makfi should improve for the sep up in trip and with Weld and the 'Sniper' Smullen in stellar form, she looks worth supporting.
Atlantic to whip up a storm at Downpatrick
5:25: Downpatrick - Atlantic Breaker.
Ran ok to finish second in a pretty weak maiden last time but that is by far the best form on offer and he is clear on the ratings.
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Green to be in a Sea of dreams at Hamilton
7:30: Hamilton - Amazing Red Each Way.
Ed Dunlop's charge was only third on his return to action but he was beaten by a decent sort that day and he remains with an abundance of potential.
6:25: Hamilton - Ionization Each Way.
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Pat Shanahan loves bringing his horses over the Irish sea and this filly has course form and finished a cracking third at Ayr on fast ground last time. She remains a filly in form and she looks a lively player.
8:05: Hamilton - Saint Equiano.
Registered a bloodless success at Ayr last time in October when a heavily eased down two and three-quarter length winner on soft ground. He looks to handle all types of ground and being an Equiano, he should improve as he gets older.
9:10: Hamilton - Sea Of Green.
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Jim Goldie looks keen to get a win out of his five-year-old mate before she is raised 2lb. Has the addition of cheekpieces and ran well to finish second at Ayr last time. Drops back to five furlongs and has a live chance in this.
Your Mission if you choose to accept it at Newmarket
2:35: Newbury - Clear Spring Each Way and Exceed The Limit Each Way.
I backed Clear Spring to win this event last year and he duly delivered at 25/1. Racing off a lower mark again this time, there is the worry that he is another year older but John Spearing has done a wonderful job of readying him for this race for the last two years. He looks worth chancing for the hat-trick. Robert Cowell is a master with sprinters and Exceed The Limit ran well on the All-Weather last time and if he can show the same form in this event, he will have a live chance. He also needs to settle better.
4:45: Newbury - Splash Around and Manchego Each Way.
Splash Around looks a typical Sir Michael Stoute improver having his first run in handicaps. Third on his latest start at Leicester in what looks a decent maiden, he had previously disappointing at Yarmouth in September. Being by Nathaniel, he should be able to handle this ground despite his half-brother Aktabantay having a preference for fast ground. His other half-brother Baydar handles softer conditions and he might be able to leave his maiden form behind in this handicap event. Manchego, trained by Hugo Palmer, did the job well enough at Wolverhampton last time in maiden and a mark of 85 looks respectable based on that run. He certainly has to improve to be involved in the thick of things and he has to handle the return to turf but he looks another lively possibility.
The Green Green Grass of Newcastle for Acres
5:45: Newcastle - Gold Town.
Charlie Appleby's charge won nicely at Newbury by a neck on his debut in April. He was always going to get on top there and showed a decisive turn of foot. Whilst he has to handle the transition to the All-Weather, he is by Street Cry and is regally bred, having been related to Derby runner-up Eagle Mountain and the top-class Dank. He takes on a host of unraced horses but he can carry a penalty to victory here.
6:50: Newcastle - Endless Acres.
Charlie Fellowes' charge was a facile winner on his reappearance at Kempton in April before finishing a creditable third at the track in April behind two pretty smart horses, with the winner going off favourite for the Chester Cup. This four-year-old gelding has to show he handles Tapeta but he looks worth supporting.
8:30: Newcastle - Hugin.
Off the track a very long time but has Spencer on board and joins Simcock from David Wachman. Third to the classy Peace Envoy at Dundalk in April 2016, his trainer is a dab hand at readying horses after a lay off and with good market support this morning speaking in his favour, he looks the one to be with.
9:00: Newcastle - Highly Focussed.
Gelded and drops in grade for Ann Duffield. Has to improve on recent runs but the money has come for him this morning and a rating of 55 may potentially underestimate him in a weak event.
Astronaut looks out of this world
5:30: Newmarket - Ancient Astronaut.
John Quinn's did the business nicely at Thirsk on his return and with the ground potentially in his favour, a top young apprentice on board and just a 4lb rise, he should go well here.
Ghost to be spectre at Pimlico
7:39: Pimlico - Shaman Ghost and Conquest Windycity Each Way.
One of the most famous races in the US racing calendar, the Pimlico Special Handicap was won by Seabiscuit in 1938 in an iconic renewal of the event and with that in mind I have to have a little dabble. Shaman Ghost's owner is a major support of Pimlico and he was very keen run his charge in this event. Winner of the Santa Anita handicap last year, that is the best form on offer and won quite comfortably that day. The slight drop in trip is no problem and he should win this. At a bigger price, Conquest Windycity has it to find on official ratings but got the job done nicely in a claimer last time out and looks one for each way purposes.
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