Oli Bell with his horses to follow for this Flat season

Lighter mornings, longer days and brighter evenings can only mean one thing – the resumption of Flat racing on turf is almost upon us.

The summer action kicks off in earnest at Doncaster on Saturday and I’m really looking forward to presenting ITV4’s main coverage from the historic Yorkshire course this weekend alongside two Group One-winning jockeys, Hayley Turner and Jason Weaver.

In this week's column I’ve picked out some horses to follow, a couple of young trainers to keep an eye out for, and my selection for the Stobart Jockeys' Championship title. 

But before we go any further, hopefully we will be able to watch these superstars in the making while wearing clothes that make us comfortable.

I am, of course, talking about Corinna Leigh-Turner’s letter to the Racing Post that sparked an online debate on Sunday.  

For those that missed it, the Bruton resident – a town not too far from my old Somerset stomping ground – expressed her “sadness” at the “woeful standard of attire among a large proportion of racegoers” at the Cheltenham Festival.

The writer hailed back to a to time when men sported a traditional country suit, waistcoat, “well-polished brogues” with “a sharp trilby, which is of course raised on meeting and greeting”. 

According to Leigh-Turner, “many among the racegoing public, including trainers, do not appear to give a damn about how they look”, bemoaning the appearance of T-shirts and anoraks at the racetrack, apparently disrespectful behaviour “in the presence of that noble animal the racehorse”.

Within reason, why shouldn’t people be allowed to wear what they want? Okay, I understand if you are in the members’ area at Cheltenham or the King Edward VII enclosure at Royal Ascot there are certain traditions to uphold. 

But if you have paid your money to enjoy the benefits of a day at the races, then not wearing a suit and tie should hardly be frowned upon.

Of course, plenty of people enjoy the style and smart fashion associated with the sport, and that in itself for many makes a day at the races the amazing experience it undoubtedly can be. If you want to wear a trilby, then wear it loud and proud.

But in the same breath, if someone was to feel more comfortable – and ultimately more likely to come back again – in jeans or a jumper, then that’s their choice and one that I personally would not bat an eyelid over. 

Nothing should detract attention from the real stars of the show – the horses and the devoted staff that help get them to the track. 

Times change, cultures change and now, perhaps, mindsets need to follow.

Right enough of that… with the Flat season starting, here are some horses that I think it will pay to follow.

Prince Of Arran (4yo, trainer: Charlie Fellowes, owner: Saeed bel Obaida)

This horse could be a talented stayer. He looked good on a couple of occasions last year, but if you look at his overall profile you might think it’s a bit patchy. Reports are that he’s done very well over the winter. 

He had excuses when he disappointed in the past and generally the way he has performed shows he’s a really good horse. He’s a talented animal but things haven’t quite gone his own way just yet. I understand that the plan is to race him over two miles this year. 

He’s got an entry in the Betfred Home Of Goals Galore Rosebery Handicap over 1m 3f at Kempton Park on Saturday. That’s likely to be a prep for the Marathon at Lingfield on Good Friday Finals Day, before heading back to the turf for a Cup campaign.

Endless Acres (4yo, trainer: Charlie Fellowes, owner: Saffron House Stables and K Sohi)

He could be a horse it will pay to follow this season. His form last season was very decent and according to his young, talented trainer he has improved even more. He’s bred to be a late developer, which is encouraging and suggests that his best days are still ahead of him. 

He’s also got an entry on Saturday at Kempton in the Betfred TV Handicap, but I’m led to believe he’ll go to the Chester Cup in May and then Ascot. His work in the spring has been “impressive”, according to Charlie.

To Be Wild (4yo, trainer: Hugo Palmer, owner: Carmichael Jennings)

He’s lightly raced but was hugely impressive when winning last time out at Doncaster in October. His profile would suggest there’s a lot more to come from this horse and going on how well his Classic-winning trainer has done in recent years in finding the right opportunities for such types, I would expect this horse to have a big race in him this year.

Stormy Antarctic (4yo, trainer: Ed Walker, owner: PK Siu)

Ed Walker has already shown in 2017 that the move from Newmarket to Lambourn hasn’t inconvenienced him at all. He’s a very good trainer who has been a bit unfortunate because every time he has got comfortable in a new yard circumstances have meant he has then had to move to pastures new. This time he has hit the ground running. 

Now in Lambourn for the foreseeable future, Ed can expect his talent and eye for a horse to be rewarded with a consistent level of good results – some of which we have seen with 14 winners to date this year.

Star horse Stormy Antarctic won last year’s Craven in very impressive fashion. While he wasn’t really able to kick on from that because of a few injuries and setbacks, with a clean bill of health and another winter on his back you can expect good things from Stormy Antarctic again.

Glastonbury Song (3yo, trainer: Ger Lyons, owner: Sean Jones)

A lot of good judges in Ireland have been flagging up this horse in the winter after he won at Dundalk for Ger Lyons in September last year. You could tell from that performance that he has plenty of latent ability and connections will have Classic aspirations for him. Races like the Irish 2,000 Guineas could be on the cards and he’s definitely one to keep on the right side of this year.

Barney Roy (3yo, trainer: Richard Hannon, owner: Godolphin) 

He won really impressively on debut last September at Haydock and the reports from the yard are that he’s wintered really well. The impression he created on debut was that of a horse with a lot of natural talent while being professional.    

You can expect improvement from his first start and he’s a horse that has really impressive attributes entering his three-year-old campaign. He’s another that will have Classic aspirations and he is in really good hands with Richard Hannon. 

Since his debut win, Godolphin have purchased this horse and it could prove to be a very shrewd bit of business come the end of the year. Reports are that he has been working well ahead of his second season.   

Petitioner (3y0, trainer: Roger Charlton, owner: Bjorn Nielsen)

Roger Charlton is a trainer I have great admiration for and this unraced 3yo has caught my eye going into the upcoming Flat season - the fact he still holds an entry in the Derby is worth noting. 

He's by the impressive stallion Dansili out of a Seeking The Gold mare and it will be no surprise to see this colt burst on to the scene in his 3yo season.

Champion jockey tip – Paul Hanagan

He will get plenty of opportunities from a host of big trainers, notably Richard Fahey. Although he will no doubt have been disappointed to lose his role as retained jockey to Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, that may add fuel to an already-burning fire in his quest to be champion for a third time.

Trainers to follow

Charlie Fellowes

Charlie has made a really good start to his career, training at St Gatien Stables in Newmarket. His strike rate has improved year on year ever since he started, and that’s something that can go unnoticed for a lot of new trainers but his ‘numbers’ are very impressive. 

The quantity of winners isn’t the same as the big names, but year on year he has proven that he can do the job incredibly well with the horses he has got. That ever-improving strike rate suggests another big season is on the cards for him and I have no doubt that given the ammunition, this man can deliver the goods.

Tom Clover

A trainer looking for his first winner - albeit it will probably only be a short wait - is David Simcock’s ex-assistant Tom Clover. He set up in Newmarket at the end of last year and the runners he has sent out already have done well. 

Having had many conversations with him about racing, his obvious enthusiasm he has for the sport means I’m confident Tom and his fiancée Jackie Jarvis can make a successful fist of training.

The week to come…

I will be trilbyless on ITV Racing on Saturday afternoon where we will bring you live action from Doncaster and Kempton, with the afternoon programme starting at 1.30pm on ITV4. 

I’m really looking forward to hearing what Hayley Turner and Jason Weaver make of the start of the Flat season. They’ll also be on The Opening Show in the morning from 10am on the same channel.

Our attentions then turn to the Grand National Festival at Aintree a week later – and what a three days that promises to be. All of the races will be shown live on ITV’s main channel, with The Opening Show the ideal way to get in the mood for the racing each morning.