With the weather expected to remain dry, the ground should be on the fast side. Here are five horses to follow from Thursday's meeting at Newbury.

1.15pm - Betfair Racing... Only Bettor Podcast Novice Stakes (6½f)

There is no shortage of well-bred two-year olds in the opening race of this card. Many of these will be seeing a racecourse for the first time so it will be like the opening day of school for them. 

GAIUS from Richard Hannon's yard has already had one run. He made an encouraging start to this career as he finished second of 10 runners on his debut at Windsor (6f). He kept on strongly in the closing stages of that race so the son of Havana Gold should appreciate this extended distance. 

LiveScore Selection: Gaius 

1.45pm - Betfair British EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes (1m)

The last time we saw SEATTLE ROCK in action was in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket. Although she was a long way down the field in the race which was won by Mother Earth, it says a lot about highly she is regarded. 

This race is a long way off a British Classic so it is a good opportunity for Sylvester Kirk's filly. She will be ridden on this occasion by the excellent Ryan Moore who has a strong book of rides. 

LiveScore Selection: Seattle Rock

2.55pm - Betfair British EBF Stakes (1m2f - Listed)

The feature race at Newbury is this Listed contest for fillies. Connections of a number of these runners will be hoping this is a stepping-stone to Group action for their runners. That will certainly be the case for the lightly raced Creative Flair and Auria. 

LILAC ROAD sets the standard and is the one they have to beat. She finished fourth in the Group Two May Hill Stakes last season. She scored at Kempton (1m) on her seasonal reappearance, while she was beaten by just a neck at this level on her latest appearance at Goodwood (1m). William Haggas' runner may improve further for this step up in distance.

LiveScore Selection: Lilac Road

3.30pm - "My Oddsboost" On Betfair Handicap (1m)

Gin Palace won this race 12 months ago and he has obvious claims on his return to this 1m handicap contest which has only attracted a small field. He returns to a mark which gives him a good chance of bouncing back from his recent efforts which have been below his best. 

ITKAANN made no mistake from a lenient opening handicap mark last year at Salisbury (1m) and then followed that up with two respectable appearances. He has now been gelded so expect a big run from the four-year-old who remains off a mark which gives him a big chance. 

LiveScore Selection: Itkaann

4.40pm - Read Ryan Moore On betting.betfair Handicap (1m4f)

ZIKANY got off the mark in style last month at Windsor (1m3½f), blowing the field away by five lengths. The extra trip seemed to help him so this 1m4f distance should not be a problem. 

Sir Michael Stoute's runner will go up 8lb in the future so with a 6lb penalty here, he is 2lb well in at the weights. This horse looks capable of much better things so he is worth siding with on his quick return to action. 

LiveScore Selection: Zikany