IT IS a 500-mile round-trip from Malton to Bath, but the long trek has not deterred Langton trainer Nigel Tinkler from sending two horses to the Somerset course this afternoon.

Tinkler saddles Bashiba, a recent Beverley winner, and also The Strig, who finished fourth at Carlisle last week. Both horses have solid chances.

Bashiba has the most compelling claims. He's a three-times winner this season and his latest Beverley success was achieved in fairly comfortable style. He has a 6lb penalty in the Excalibur Communications Charity Handicap, which makes life more difficult for him. But he is plainly a horse in good form and York-based Robert Winston, pictured, again has the mount.

Anna Hesketh teams-up with The Strig in the Bath RUH Forever Friends Appeal Aprentice Handicap.

Although it is some time since he last won, The Strig has dropped to a very favourable rating and his latest Carlisle effort, while nothing to write home about, was encouraging enough to suggest he is not without prospects in this five and a furlong dash.

My Meteor needs no introduction to Bath. He is a three-times course winner and is also in excellent form.

Tony Newcombe's gelding is chasing a hat-trick of wins after successes at Carlisle and here. Noel Garbutt has the mount on the course specialist.

Jenny Powell is making a good impression in her first season as an apprentice and she has pretty strong claims aboard a couple of horses, trained at Lambourn by her father, former crack jump jockey, Brendan Powell.

Clear Focus (2.20), a previous course and distance winner, and On Stage (4.25), who has shown promise in only three outings this season, are the hopes of the Powells, father and daughter.

At Lingfield, Richard Hughes, gradually closing on Ryan Moore in the title race as he bids to become champion jockey for a third time, could have a bumper afternoon.

Hughes is fancied to complete a four-timer on Chevalier (2.30), Majestic Manner (3.30), Whaleweigh Station (4.05) and Conquestadim (4.35).

Chevalier, who runs in the second division of the 188Bet Casino Maiden Stakes, finished second to Gun Case at Newmarket last time, beaten less than a length. He is entitled to make a bold bid here on the strength of that form and carries the nap.

The step up to seven furlongs should be ideal for Majestic Manner in the British Stallion Studs Maiden Fillies' Stakes. William Haggas' youngster shaped really well on her debut to be beaten only a length into third place over six furlongs at Windsor. She can go one better with that race under her belt, provided none of the well-bred newcomers in opposition are something special.

Whalweigh Station was well held in second place at Yarmouth last time, but that race was over six furlongs and this step back up to seven in the British Assessment Bureau Maiden Stakes should suit him better.

Hughes can complete his quartet of wins aboard Conquestadim in the 188Bet Claiming Stakes. Hughie Morrison's four-year-old was beaten only half a length when favourite on his latest start and deserves the chance to make amends.

Ryan Moore can get his name on the Lingfield scoreboard courtesy of Alex Vino in the 188Bet Great In Play Handicap.

Sir Michael Stoute's colt was a little disappointing over a mile and a half when only fourth at Pontefract last month, but he had previously won over this shorter distance at Sandown and, furthermore, he was a winner on this course last season.

Selections

Bath today

2.20 Clear Focus, 2.50 Clergyman, 3.20 My Meteor, 3.50 Bright Cecily, 4.25 On Stage, 4.55 Mazij, 5.25 Bashiba, 5.55 The Strig.

Lingfield today

2.00 Kinematic, 2.30 Chevallier (NAP), 3.00 Cupulation, 3.30 Majestic Manner, 4.05 Whaleweigh Station, 4.35 Conquestadim, 5.05 Alex Vino, 5.35 Black Label.

Today’s other meetings

Kempton and Southwell.

Tomorrow’s meetings

Haydock, Salisbury, Sedgefield and Wolverhampton.