Andrew Balding has made a tremendous start to training in his own right and his Passing Glance looks an interesting runner in the Bet Direct Spring Cup Handicap over a mile at Newbury this afternoon, writes Richard Young.

Balding's four-year-old proved a most consistent sort last year and ran right up to his best over this trip on fast ground when scoring at Newmarket last October.

And my selection ran a blinder on ground that could have been a touch slower than ideal in a big field back at Headquarters the following month when fourth to subsequent easy Lincoln winner Pablo.

Liam Keniry removes a valuable 3lb from his load and, although he's high enough in the weights on what he achieved last year, he may be the type to improve again this term.

It's a race for sensible stakes, though, as there are several in with a good chance and it'll be no surprise to see Barry Hills' Faithful Warrior give a good account under Darryll Holland on this seasonal reappearance.

Last year's St Ledger winner Bollin Eric makes his reappearance at Newbury and should give a good account in the Dubai Irish Village Group 3 Stakes over a mile and a half.

Although this trip is very much a bare minimum, Tim Easterby's four-year-old has reportedly done well over the winter and won't have to improve too much to make a winning reappearance.

Sir Michael Stoute has a leading chance in this season's 1000 Guineas with Russian Rhythm but his Crystal Star can enhance her classic prospects by taking the Dubai Duty Free Stakes over seven furlongs.

The Mark Of Esteem filly created a very favourable impression when winning both her starts last year including over this course and distance and she appeals as the type to do considerably better this term.

The colts bid to boost their classic prospects in the Lane's End Greenham over the same trip and the vote in a competitive race goes to Zafeen, who ran really well to finish fourth to Tout Seul in last year's Dewhurst.

At Thirsk, David Nicholls' Rectangle could be the one to be on in the Thomas Lord Handicap over five furlongs.

Following a satisfactory reappearance run at Newcastle, the three-year-old showed improved form at Ascot in a competitive handicap and he's fancied to reverse reappearance form with Jim Goldie's River Falcon.

Goldie, who had a winner at Musselburgh earlier in the week, could be on the mark with last year's winner Indian Spark in the Michael Foster Memorial Conditions stakes over six furlongs.

At Ayr, Hobbs can also be on the mark with fast-ground specialist In Contrast in the Samsung Electronics Scottish Champion Hurdle over two miles. He's taken to beat Thisthatandtother.

The best bet on the sand at Wolverhampton could be Tony Newcombe's Mufreh, who is bidding for the three-timer and who should appreciate the step up to the extended mile of the Littlewoods Bet Direct Handicap.

l Gunther McBride, who sidestepped at tilt at Aintree last weekend, is the strong fancy in the Gala Casinos Daily Record Scottish Scottish Grand National Chase over four miles and one furlong at Ayr this afternoon.

Philip Hobbs has already had a tremendous season and his eight-year-old will be bidding to better his highly creditable third placing to Take Control and Shotgun Willy in the corresponding race last year.

That was a tremendous performance for one just out of the novice stage and he's a strong fancy to reverse placings with Shotgun Willy, who ran as though something was amiss in Aintree's showpiece last week and has no easy task under topweight in the first-time blinkers.

My selection has been laid out specifically for this race and he shaped as though a return to winning ways was imminent when second to the most progressive mare La Landiere over three miles at Kempton on his latest outing in February.

The return to this trip is going to be very much in his favour and, although he has a tendency to make the odd mistake, he has yet to fall over fences.

With Shotgun Willy in the field the weights have been compressed so Hobbs' gelding meets the majority of these on more favourable terms than in normal handicap company and the ground is in his favour.

His trainer said at Ayr yesterday "He comes here in very good order and we did the right thing by missing the race at Aintree last time.

"We're delighted that Shotgun Willy takes part as it helps to keep our weight down. I'm very optimistic."

Get more on racing at our Racing North site.