They are under starters orders for the new Flat turf season at Doncaster tomorrow with Mick Channon having his team well forward for the kick-off.

The former England international footballer has 177 horses in training, the most he has ever had, and a bunch of them will be coming to Doncaster, though Channon will be in Dubai supervising the challenge of Golden Silca at this weekend's World Cup meeting.

Basserello, Channon's represenatative in the Ballyhane Stud Brocklesby Stakes tomorrow, is reported to have been showing up well in home gallops.

As this is the first two-year-old race of the campaign none of the runners have any racecourse experience so it is a guess as to what might happen.

Channon, though, usually starts the season well and Basarello, a son of Anabaa, has enough speed in his pedigree to suggest that he will be sharp and precocious.

Channon, and his stable-jockey Steve Drowne, have another interesting newcomer in Aramram in the Badsworth Maiden Stakes.

Unraced last year, this three-year-old son of Danzig has already been entered in some high-class races this season, which suggests that he is not short of ability. He should not be overlooked tomorrow on his debut.

The day's most valuable race is the £30,000 randombet.com Showcase Handicap over five furlongs.

Dancing Mystery ran a blinder in last year's race, being in front inside the final furlong, only to be swamped near the finish.

Eric Wheeler's prolific winner goes well on the prevailing soft ground and he is worth another chance in the hands of Steve Carson, who knows him well. Dancing Mystery is awarded my Nap vote.

Dandoun, a dual-winner early last season, can oblige for trainer John Dunlop and jockey Pat Eddery in the £25,000 Doncaster Mile. Barry Hills, who seldom leaves this meeting empty-handed, could be on the mark with Graft in the Balby Handicap.

Mick Easterby has his National Hunt horses in excellent form, and one of them, Silver Socks, deserves support in the David Scott & Co Lady Riders' Handicap.

Fit from hurdling, the five-year-old should have a better chance than most in what looks a wide-open race.

Kylkenny is likewise fit from running consistently well on the all-weather. Hughie Morrison's charge should be hard to beat in the opening race, the Racing School's Apprentice Handicap.

This afternoon's Chepstow race meeting was called off this morning. Part of the course is waterlogged.

With this afternoon's Towcester meeting abandoned yesterday the only race meeting in Britain today was at Ludlow.

Tomorrow's tips:

Doncaster

1.45 - Kylkenny

2.15 - Basarello

2.50 - Dancing Mystery (Nap)

3.25 - Dandoun

3.55 - Graft

4.30 - Aramram

5.05 - Silver Socks

Wincanton

1.55 - Lorgnette

2.25 - Kadarann

3.00 - Father D

3.35 - Restless Wind

4.05 - Midy's Risk

4.40 - Percolator

5.15 -Maybe The Business

Updated: 17:03 Wednesday, March 20, 2002