SATURDAY'S SELECTIONS:

AINTREE: 1.05 Thumbs Up, 1.40 Bob Bob Bobbin, 2.15 Tidal Bay, 2.50 Picture This, 3.25 Noble Alan, 4.00 Isn't That Lucky, 4.35 Sunarri.

CHEPSTOW: 1.20 Aiteen Thirtythree, 1.55 Prince Taime, 2.25 Meanus Dandy, 3.00 Mocho, 3.35 Rebel Melody, 4.10 Rifleman, 4.45 Tell Massini.

DONCASTER: 1.15 Swiss Cross, 1.50 Starla Dancer, 2.20 Cheveton, 2.55 Layla's Hero, 3.30 SHAKESPEAREAN (NAP), 4.05 Lochiel, 4.40 Able Master, 5.15 Racing Hero.

KEMPTON: 5.40 Green Lagonda, 6.10 Location, 6.40 Braddock, 7.10 Point Out, 7.40 Supernoverre, 8.10 Hajoum, 8.40 Bea Menace, 9.10 Diddums.

NEWBURY: 1.30 Latansaa, 2.05 Burnett, 2.35 Harbinger, 3.10 Sakhee's Pearl, 3.45 Plume, 4.20 Domination, 4.55 Rainbow Peak, 5.25 Arctic Cape.

STRATFORD: 2.10 Kanpai, 2.40 Gracechurch, 3.15 Bedizen, 3.50 Gaelic Flight, 4.25 Best Oscar, 5.00 Kirby's Vic, 5.30 Dreams Jewel.

WEXFORD: 2.00 Kilflora, 2.30 Falcon Island, 3.05 Elyaadi, 3.40 Gorteenwood, 4.15 Siegemaster, 4.50 Pom Flyer, 5.20 Hayabusa.

DOUBLE: Shakespearean and Tidal Bay.

St Nicholas Abbey is sure to be all the rage for the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster, but Shakespearean is taken to put a spanner in the works and scoop another big prize.

Although taken strictly on the ratings Mark Johnston's colt has a bit to find with some of his rivals in a cracking renewal - namely Elusive Pimpernel - the son of Shamardal has kept producing the necessary extra all season.

Inexperience found him out in the Chesham at Royal Ascot and he still looked a little green when third in the Superlative Stakes in July.

However, Shakespearean really came of age when landing the Solario at Sandown, with runner-up Buzzword since going on to land a French Group Three and be placed at the highest level.

A gutsy success in the Goffs Million Mile followed and it is interesting that Johnston rates this horse higher than stablemate Layali Al Andalus, who was second to St Nicholas Abbey last time out in the Beresford Stakes - a race won by none other than Sea The Stars twelve months ago.

Shakespearean could well go off a double-figure price and looks excellent value to keep the Group One prize in Yorkshire.

Burnett made quite an impression on his racecourse bow when cruising home by four lengths at Newcastle and can make the massive leap to Group Three company in the totesport 0800 221 221 Stakes at Newbury.

Part of the Godolphin team, Burnett can initiate an across-the-card double with Hajoum primed to follow up in Kempton's Denise Servante's Wish I Was There Handicap.

While Classic aspirations are put to the test on the level, Aintree lets the Cheltenham contenders get an early sighter with a top-class card featuring the totetentofollow Old Roan Chase.

This Grade Two offers a good chance for Tidal Bay to return to his best after what was a disappointing campaign last term.

The eight-year-old looked set to be a major force after winning the Arkle and the Maghull Novices' Chase in 2008 but he failed to sparkle in a difficult second season.

There was little shame in a 10-length defeat at the hands of Master Minded in the Tingle Creek but subsequent attempts at stepping him up to staying trips yielded little glory.

A cut leg sustained at Cheltenham in January probably meant he was a little short for the Ryanair, in which he ran a patchy race to finish a creditable fourth.

There were few excuses for a massively disappointing effort in the Melling Chase on his final start but Tidal Bay has since undergone a breathing operation which trainer Howard Johnson is hoping will work the oracle.

Tidal Bay is a class performer on his day and is nicely in at the weights with one or two of these.

Chepstow also stage Graded action with the totepool Persian War Novices' Hurdle the pick of their card.

Paul Nicholls has claimed the Grade Two heat for the last two years and Aiteen Thirtythree looks primed to make it a hat-trick.

The five-year-old has just one bumper win to his name under rules but is already a point-to-point winner so can evidently jump an obstacle.

He is already quoted in the betting for both major novice hurdles at the Festival and it would be a disappointment if he could not live up to his tall reputation.

Kanpai can do the business in Stratford's totesportbingo.com Novices' Chase.