THE dogs were barking the name of Bahamian Art before she made her debut at Beverley earlier this month and, given the strength of the grapevine rumours, she went off at 11-10 favourite. Alas, she could finish only fifth, leaving plenty of punters with badly singed fingers.

This evening at Newcastle, Bahamian Art gets the chance to recover those losses when she contests the EBF Stallions ESH Fillies Maiden Stakes.

The one crystal-clear positive of her run at Beverley is that she possesses an abundance of speed. Unfortunately, she broke so fast and raced so freely over the first three furlongs that she was unable to maintain her pace right to the line.

Joe Fanning takes over aboard Bahamian Art tonight and, if he can preserve her to half-way, she will surely take plenty of beating, given her tall home reputation.

Fellow North Yorkshire trainers, Richard Fahey and Kevin Ryan may provide the main dangers to Bahamian Art through their respective newcomers, both speedily-bred, Moving Melody and Indian Keys.

Fahey, pictured, has good prospects with Simply Shining in the Solution Group Handicap, with Paul Hanagan in the saddle.

Apprentice-ridden on her seasonal re-appearance, Simply Shining went down by half a length to Real Tigress after meeting a little bit of trouble in running which allowed the winner to get first run on her. She should be all the better for that outing and is entitled to take plenty of beting.

Hanagan can also make the most of a leading chance on Vale Of Clara in the Corepeople Recruitment Handicap.

Trained by Peter Niven, Vale Of Clara ran well to finish second in an apprentices' race at Catterick last week and may not have to improve much on that performance to go one better here.

Teetotal may prove the answer to the Jewsons Handicap.

Nigel Tinkler's sprinter finished third Thirsk on his reappearance earlier in the month under Joe Doyle and the capable 7lb claimer is again on board this evening.

At Nottingham's afternoon fixture, Michael Dods, who is based near Darlington, can continue his excellent start to the season by winning with nap selection Gowanharry in the New Racing UK Anywhere Available Now Fillies' Handicap over five furlongs.

Nothing if not consistent, Gowanharry is also a previous course winner.

Last May, she won at Newcastle, conceding 14lb to Jofranka and beating her a neck. Today, she receives 1lb from Jofranka and should confirm the form.

David Barron, trainer of Jofranka, who went on a winning spree after her clash with Gowanharry last spring, has a further chance with Rozene in the BDN Construction Handicap.

A debut winner at Beverley last September, Rozene finished unplaced in a hot York nursery on her only other juvenile appearance the following month. She could be nicely handicapped as she starts her second season.

Selections

Nottingham today

1.45 Rough Corte, 2.15 Uncle Dermot, 2.45 Lady Tiana, 3.15 Khee Society, 3.45 Hassle, 4.15 Ashdown Lad, 4.50 Gowanharry (NAP), 5.25 Rozene.

Newcastle today

5.20 Bahamian Art, 5.50 Vale Of Clara, 6.20 Teetotal, 6.50 Vosne Romanee, 7.20 Sayed Youmzain, 7.50 Simply Shining, 8.20 Keep It Dark.

Today's other meetings

Lingfield and Wolverhampton.

Tomorrow's other meetings

Ascot, Brighton, Cheltenham, Pontefract and Southwell.