Tonight's racing: three runners who catch the eye from Newcastle and Dundalk

Sometimes racing fans are just spoilt for choice. That is certainly the case tomorrow when a blockbuster card at Ascot signals the welcome return of weekend racing, but before then there are two evening meetings to get stuck into at Newcastle (first race 4.45) and Dundalk (5.00).

Quila Saeda
5.45 Newcastle

The market suggests Quila Saeda will have to play second fiddle to promising Godolphin filly Orchid Star, but the five-year-old daughter of Campanologist is a compelling prospect in her own right.

Formerly trained by Andreas Wohler in Germany, Quila Saeda was second on her first start at Hanover before winning at Hamburg. She comes from an eyecatching German family and drops back down in trip for her British debut. While she has to give weight away to the favourite off the back of a 230-day absence, it will be fascinating to see how she fares.

7.00 Dundalk

The sole British representative in Dundalk's £26,000 feature is the strong-travelling but slightly quirky Nick Vedder, who needs to be delivered late. He is in excellent form of late, with his last four starts reading 1221, and Colin Keane has been tasked with riding him this time around.

Michael Wigham, who is operating at a 50 per cent strike-rate having saddled three winners from his last six runners in the last fortnight, should be hopeful ahead of the gelding's first Irish foray.

Hazel Bay
8.00 Dundalk

Hazel Bay has not been seen for 299 days, but she belied her odds to finish second in the Listed Salsabil Stakes on her first racecourse reappearance and is clearly a filly of considerable ability.

She ought to be smart given she is a half-sister to six winners, including Group 1 winners Youmzain and Creachadoir. She will be a top-class broodmare prospect for Moyglare Stud once she retires, but hopefully we can see her sparkle on the track before then.

Keep up to speed with all of the action this evening with Raceday Live