Clarke's company in the running for Bath

The executive at Bath racecourse yesterday confirmed that Northern Racing Limited has posted the highest bid for the track. Stan Clarke's company, whose offer is worth over £3.75m, has been granted "a period of exclusivity" to prepare an offer to be put to the Bath shareholders.

The executive at Bath racecourse yesterday confirmed that Northern Racing Limited has posted the highest bid for the track. Stan Clarke's company, whose offer is worth over £3.75m, has been granted "a period of exclusivity" to prepare an offer to be put to the Bath shareholders.

Bath directors met on Friday to consider five offers for the track, a process which started when Arena Leisure submitted a conditional offer in March. Northern Racing already owns Newcastle and Uttoxeter and also has interests in Brighton and Chepstow.

* Tony Dobbin expects to be sidelined for three months following an operation on his left shoulder last week. Dobbin had made a great start to the campaign, riding 27 winners, before dislocating the shoulder at Market Rasen on 22 July.

* Blue Mountain, who flopped in 15th place when the 5-1 favourite for last Saturday's Stewards' Cup, may attempt to restore his reputation in a £15,000 rated handicap at Leicester on Sunday.