From Newbury in the deep south through York and on up to Hamilton Park, there is much to be savoured on a packed Friday racing menu.

Top of the bill has to be the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup over a mile and six furlongs which includes prominent stayers like Geordieland and Royal And Regal, not to mention everybody's favourite, Sergeant Cecil. The Rod Millman-trained star, winner of this last year, will renew his acquaintance with Alan Munro who last rode him in August 2006.

They were a fine double act, too, as they collected that memorable treble of Northumberland Plate at Newcastle, the Ebor Handicap at York and the Cesarewitch at Newmarket.

The Millman hero has gone up to Group class since and looks sure to run well today over a trip that suits. His opening run of the season was a down-the-field effort at Newbury, but little notice need be taken of that. It was over a mile and a half, which is probably too short for him nowadays and, in any case, he usually needs a run before getting into top gear.

The winner that day at Newbury was Royal And Regal, who was demonstrating his own versatility. On his previous outing last October, he had won the Jockey Club Cup over two miles, so today's trip should be no problem. Geordie-land has threatened to win this type of race on numerous occasions but never quite delivers.

The danger to them all is Honolulu, who finished third in the St Leger last year and will be campaigning in the Cup races this season. The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt looks sure to mark his mark in this company and Honolulu (2.40) can start now.

Raymi Coya should run a big race in the Listed Michael Seely Memorial Stakes. She won a Group 3 event at Newmarket on her final appearance as a two-year-old and a repeat of that form is bound to give her a winning chance. Musical Bar, from the in-form Barry Hills stable, won a good-looking maiden at Newbury last month and, if she takes to this faster ground, will go close.

Mistress Greeley represents another yard in form, that of Sir Michael Stoute, but Makaaseb (3.10), who was only four lengths behind Kitty Matcham in the Rokfel Stakes last October, may appreciate these conditions the most.

There is a big pot to be won in the Reland Jorvik Handicap and, not surprisingly, there are many hot challengers. Luberon, Sugar Ray, Pevensey, Birkside and Lepido are just a few, but higher-weighted horses have done well in this race and Dansili Dancer (2.10), who gets his favoured ground, can continue the trend.

At Newbury, Rosa Grace (2.50) has a good chance in the Listed Fillies Trial. She finished fourth to Kitty Matcham in the previously mentioned race at Newmarket and could relish this mile-and-a-quarter trip.

Highlight on a quality night at Hamilton is the Glasgow Stakes, which has attracted a decent eight-strong field, among whom Mark Johnston, winner of this last year with Boscobel, saddles two, Captain Webb and Love Galore. The former may be the main hope, but the market could be the best guide. However, Meermiss (7.25) who was second to Kandahar Run at Newmarket, may be up to giving weight away and going one better this time.

Turbo Linn, that remarkable mare who went from bumpers to Group class last season, will be a big attraction in the Braveheart Handicap, but may find it hard to give weight to such as Gull Wing and especially Eradicate (8.35).

Lady Benjamin (6.50) likes this track and can win again in the Brandon Homes Stakes.

Selections
York 2.10 Dansili Dancer 2.40 Honolulu 3.10 Makaaseb
Newbury 2.50 Rosa Grace
Hamilton 6.50 Lady Benjamin 7.25 Meeris 8.35 Eradicate