THE big race of the day tomorrow afternoon is the Group One Lockinge Stakes at Newbury (3.40) and with the ground drying out all the time the value could be an each-way call in the form of Lancaster Bomber trained by Aidan O’Brien.

He has been placed in numerous group events in the past but has rarely had his optimum conditions of really fast ground and with no outstanding rivals set to line-up, today could be his day.

Of the remaining 15 set to go to post, Limato will also adore the fast surface but he is no certainty to get home if they go a really good pace, while in contrast Rhododendron is coming back down in trip while the third O’Brien runner, Deauville, should also be in the mix.

Later on, old Bronze Angel can teach his younger rivals a real lesson by landing the finale at 5.25.

The dual Cambridgeshire winner has been given a real chance by the handicapper here and gets a narrow vote over Wahash.

The Al Zubarah London Gold Cup Handicap at 3.00 is one of the most competitive races of its type all season with several progressive three-year-olds set to line up and the value could lie with Mekong, highly thought of by Michael Stoute and figuring off what could be a very lenient handicap mark of 85.

Murillo (nb) was used purely as a pacemaker at Newmarket for the 2,000 Guineas and was never going to see out the stiff one mile trip that afternoon.

But that was surely just a warm-up for the Carnarvon Stakes at Newbury (1.50) this afternoon.

A more than useful juvenile, six furlongs on fast ground is definitely his domain and I shall be surprised if he cannot take care of both All Out and Shabaaby.

Suzi’s Connoisseur had no run at the all-weather championships last month but is better treated on the turf and could run a big race at a fair price in the big seven furlong handicap at Newmarket at 4.25.

Also at Headquarters, Yaffa is taken to defy top-weight in the 3.15, while Move in Time can finally get his head in front in the five furlong handicap at 5.35.

There is a competitive flat card at Thirsk and with the ground drying out all the time I fancy a huge run from Fingal’s Cave (3.55). Phillip Kirby’s charge has been shown some slack by the assessor in the past few months and just gets the nod over the likes of Dasheen and the well-handicapped Club Wexford.

Later on, Gunmetal has a sporting chance at a nice price in the big sprint at 4.30 having moved to David Barron and Tan can double up in the final at 6.10.

There is a hugely competitive card at Doncaster in the evening and the race that really attracts my attention is the 8.50 in which Buxted Dream (nap) looks primed to strike top form for trainer Luca Cumani. It is surely a big pointer that Jamie Spencer is staying until the last race to ride this four-year-old.