Thursday's racing bulletin

The Five Live selection is Emerald Bay in the 15.20 at Newcastle.

Racing today comes from Newcastle, Salisbury, Thirsk, and Hamilton and Leicester this evening.

The ground on the first of three days racing at Newcastle is currently good to firm with good places although punters should take note that rain is forecast for Saturday.

Best bet of the day is Emerald Bay in the 1520.

Mark Johnston's improving colt was an impressive winner at Nottingham on Monday and can follow up despite this race looking stronger.

The three-year-old likes to make the running so will be ridden positively by jockey Joe Fanning.

It's the second day of racing at Salisbury and the ground is good to firm and firm in places on the loop.

Lester Piggott will be on hand to sign autographs after he has officially opened the new Wiltshire stand.

Crocodile Bay looks a penalty kick in the 1510.

The ground is good to firm at Thirsk where it should pay to follow The Leather Wedge in the 1530, ridden by in-form Danny Tudhope.

Leicester will water this morning to ensure their ground gets no firmer than the official good to firm with firm patches.

Taakeed is worth a second glance in the 20.20.

Hamilton are expecting a good crowd this evening and the ground is good to soft with soft places.

Pivotal's Princess looks the good thing of the evening in the 20.00.