Bard may pip St Nick to the post.

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 12 months ago.

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

Inler should not be opposed in the racingpostpoker.com Stakes. The regard in which he is held is no secret and he bolted up first time at Newmarket a week ago, sent off the even-money favourite. His trainer John Best is a wizard when he gets the ammunition.

Clowance is the clear choice in Newbury's totesport.com St Simon Stakes should the forecast rain materialise.

Roger Charlton's runner finished fourth in last year's Oaks, but a series of problems kept her off the track until last month's Irish St Leger.

She put in a sterling performance to finish a narrow second behind subsequent Prix du Cadran winner Alandi and a repeat of that form should be good enough.

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.

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.

TOMORROW'S TOP TIPS AINTREE: 1.05 Thumbs Up, 1.40 Bob Bob Bobbin, 2.15 Tidal Bay, 2.50 Kilcrea Asla, 3.25 Noble Alan, 4.00 Isn't That Lucky, 4.35 Gunslinger.

CHEPSTOW: 1.20 Aiteen Thirtythree, 1.55 Bouggler, 2.25 Meanus Dandy, 3.00 Young Albert, 3.35 Present Gale, 4.10 Onthegoagain, 4.45 Tell Massini.

DONCASTER: 1.15 Swiss Cross, 1.50 Starla Dancer, 2.20 Cheveton, 2.55 Inler, 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 Clowance, 3.10 Sakhee's Pearl, 3.45 Plume, 4.20 Domination, 4.55 Rainbow Peak, 5.25 Arctic Cape. STRATFORD: 2.10 Cappa Bleu, 2.40 Gracechurch, 3.15 Special Occasion, 3.50 Gaelic Flight, 4.25 Best Oscar, 5.00 Stumped, 5.30 Golden Square.

DOUBLE: SHAKESPEAREAN AND CLOWANCE Chepstow, Aintree and Stratford selections subject to alteration

CAPTION(S):

SHAKE ON IT: Shakespearean, left, can race to glory tomorrow