N.H. racing at Wincanton

Today´s Wincanton card is better than average for a Monday and as usual Paul Nicholls looks the trainer to follow. He has an outstanding record here, his local track, and has fancied runners in almost every race. Although Qrackers (Ruby Walsh) looks up against it in the first division of the maiden hurdle at 14.50 CET (Charlie Longsdon´s Divers with Tom Siddall aboard should win this), he should certainly take the second division at 15.50 with Earth Planet (Walsh). Sam Thomas is in the saddle for Marodima´s race, a class 2 novice chase over 2 miles; she has to give 10 lbs to her 3 opponents but stands out on ratings.

Walsh then partners two more possible winners for the stable, Iroquois Warrior in the 2 3/4 miles handicap hurdle at 16.50 and Aironageestring in the bumper at 17.50. The former race in particular should be worth watching, as Iroquois Warrior (who has won his last 2 races) is best suited by the exaggerated waiting tactics at which Walsh excels, so don´t expect him to come into the picture before the second last, or even later. There are only 4 runners in the class 3 handicap chase over 2 miles at 17.30, but all have chances, including top-weight Azulejo (Michael Scudamore/ Alan O´Keeffe), whose jumping career is fascinating.

After winning 8 races over jumps in France, he was transferred to this stable in the autumn, and last ran (badly) in the Cheltenham Gold Cup! Obviously this race is mich easier, but on British form both Coach Lane (Venetia Williams/ Sam Thomas) - who tired in the closing stages at Newbury on Saturday after looking the certain winner - and Oiseau de Nuit (Philip Hobbs/ Tom O´Brien), who is unbeaten in two races over fences, can be preferred.

All-weather action at Lingfield and Southwell

Typical Monday fare today, with two low-level all-weather meetings, and only one N.H. meeting (with better sport) at Wincanton. There is no Irish racing today. The most interesting races at Lingfield are the ones for 3yo´s. The 7 furlongs handicap at 17.10 CET looks booked for Michael Jarvis´ Maslaha, an impressive CD winner last time out and a filly who is probably much better than class 4.

The 6 furlongs handicap at 15.40 looks much more open; Seductive Witch (John Balding/ James Doyle) - now running for new connections- has been very busy already this winter, and has been first or second the last 4 starts (including CD), is the obvious choice on 2008 form, but several promising seasonal debutants could make life difficult, notably What Katy Did (Paul Cole/ Ryan Moore) and Cracking Nick (Walter Swinburne/ Adam Kirby).

Ryan Moore has another winning chance on Geoff Wragg´s Monterico in the 10 furlongs maiden at 17.40, where Rock Park (Hughie Morrisson( Steve Drowne) and well-bred debutant Montevetro (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) look the ones to beat. At Southwell, in-form Zaffeu (Tony Juckes/ Vince Slattery) can win his 4th race from his last 5 starts (including this CD) and defy top-weight in the 1 3/4 miles handicap at 18.00.

The maiden race over 1 1/2 miles at 17.00 is for 3-5yos and although this trip seems quite long for a 3yo against older horses, John Jay´s Azabu Juban (Luke Morris) is the clear form choice following his good 4th of 15 in a similar race at Doncaster. Flagstone (Alan Swinbank/ Neil Callan) looks to be a very late developer and could be best of the older horses.

Matrix for the third time?

After König Turf´s narrow success yesterday at saint-Cloud, four more German horses challenge in France today, where the flat racing takes place at Fontainebleau. Wolfgang Gülcher´s Zadounevees runs in the opening tiercé handicap over 2500 metres at 13.50.

He can boast some good performances in France, but has to give weight to his 15 opponents today, which will not be easy.Werner Baltromei´s Matrix (Dominique Boeuf) is probably the most likely German winner today. He only seems to win one race a year - but this it, the Prix Cor de Chasse, a listed race over 1100 metres at 14.50, as he scored in this event (when it was run at Maisons-Lafitte) in both 2006 and 2007. Baltromei has another winning chance with Paarl (Eva Meutzner) in the seller over 1800 metres for lady jockeys at 16.50. Scarlet Möller´s Mister Bold (Berengere Picart) is another German runner here, but Paarl can be preferred. There is also trotting at Cordemais.

Prix Edmond Blanc at Saint-Cloud

there could well be a German group race winner in France today, as Christian Sprengel´s consistent König Turf, with French champion jockey Stephane Pasquier in the saddle, should certainly be involved in the finish of the Group Three Prix Edmond Blanc, due to be run on very heavy ground at 15.45 CET at Saint-Cloud today. He has only 5 opponents, the best of whom is clearly Spirito del Vento (JM Beguigne/ Olivier Peslier), but Gris de Gris (JM Capitte/ Thierry Thulliez) has a clear fitness advantage, having already won twice this year, including this CD. Other German runners on the card are Dieter Fechner´s Pegmalion (Johan Victoire) ane Werner Baltromei´s Lord John (Dominique Boeuf), who both contest the tiercé handiap over 2100 metres for 4yo´s at 14.45, and Fechner´s Lamborgini (Yannick Mergirie), who faces a stiff task in the amateur riders race over 2400 metres at 16.45.

Irish flat season opens

although there have been a couple of all-weather meetings at Dundalk, today´s high-class meeting at the Curragh marks the official opening of the 2008 Irish flat season. The card includes the first Irish 2yo race of the year as well as seeing Aidan O `Briens´s first runners of the year. Main event is the Group Three mile race for fillies and mares at 16.55 CET, and although it is open to older horses as well, the 3yo fillies seem set to dominate. Aidan O´Brien´s Savethisdanceforme (Johnny Murtagh) looked very promising when showing tremendous improvement last autumn, but Jim Bolger´s Lush Lashes (Kevin manning) is a dangerous opponent. She won her only start last year with the greatest of ease - and that was the Goffs Fillies Million, the richest race of the season for 2yo fillies. The big betting race is the Irish Lincolnshire, a mile handicap at 17.30, and a wide-open event with 27 runners. French challenger Estrela Brage (John Hammond/ Declan McDonogh) looked a handicap snip here when the field was published on Friday, but the Irish handicapper has had a change of mind and yesterday put him up by 9lbs. However he might still prove good enough, although it is no longer so easy. The 6 furlongs handicap at 16.25 could well go to a British stable, with Northern Dare (David and Adrian Nicholls) and Karl Burke´s German-bred Raptor (Fergus Sweeney) both holding good chances. Raptor has been running over a mile, but this trip seemed ideal when he was in training with Mario Hofer 2 years ago. There is also Irish N.H. racing today at the Northern Irish track of Downpatrick.

Hexham, Kempton and Wincanton

all 3 U.K. meetings today are N.H., with the best racing at Kempton. Paul Nicholls has been rather quiet since his wonderful Cheltenham week, but can land a double here with the lightly-raced Leading Attraction (Nick Scholfield), in the beginners chase at 15.30 CET and So Now (Harry Skelton) in the class 3 handicap hurdle at 17.15. So Now was an easy winner last time at Newbury with this young jockey on board, but it is a tough race; Krackatara (Sue and Lucy Gardner) is an obvious danger, he fell at the last at Exeter on Thursday when looking the winner. German-bred Galantos (Jane Siuthcombe/ Owyn Nelmes) is generally consistent and could run well at a big price. Ncholls send his stable jockey Sam Thomas to Wincanton, a track where he has an excellent record, and the combination can click with Herecomesthetruth in the Denman colours in the novice hurde at 17.00. Main danger is Philip Hobbs´ recent Warwick winner Tamadot (Richard Johnson). The best race at Hexham, where the going will be very testing, is the class 3 handicap hurdle at 16.50. On the face of it, Nicky Richards´ Etched in Stone (Tony Dobbin) should win this after two good second places following a lengthy break, but Donald McCain´s Vicario (P.J.Benson) loves this ground and has slipped to an attractive weight.

Doncaster and Navan

there is also flat racing at Doncaster and N.H. racing from Navan in Ireland. he Grade 3 chase over 2 1/2 miles at 16.40 CET is the main event at the Irish track, and can go to The Railway Man (Arthir Moore/ Davy Russell), but the novice handicap chase at 17.50 is the most valuabel race on the card. The Mullins family hold strong cards here, with Tony saddling High Fidelitay, Willie Gilligans Hall and Arbor Supreme (both last-time-out winners) and Margaret Its a Ladys Deal. At Doncaster, the class 2 Doncaster Shield over 1 1/4 miles should concern chiefly Munsef (John Dunlop/ Jimmy Fortune) and Soapy Dager (Mark Johnston/ Joe Fanning), both proven group race performers. Peter Chapple-Hyan apparently fancies his Brave Prospector for one of the Guineas, in whic case he should have little dfficulty in winning the 3yo maiden at 15.35 with Alan Munro in the saddle.

N.H.racing at Bangor, Newbury and Stratford

easily the best of today´s N.H. racing comes from Newbury, where both the two main event are restricted to novice mares. The handicap chase over 2 3/4 miles at 15.55 CET has attracted 17 runners and the handicap hurdle at 16.25 18. Both races look wide open; French-trained Souri des Champs, Theatre Diva and La Grande Villez are possibilities for the former race, and Jaunty Flight, Castlecrossings, Jaunty Flight and Romping Home should make the short list for the latter. At Stratford, German-bred Tacinja can take the handicap chase at 17.30 and make up for a narrow defeat last weeked.

all-weather racing at Wolverhampton and Kempton

obviously the rest of today´s racing pals onto insignificance in comarison to the Dubai Eorlds Cup Meeting, but Kempton stages some edectn handicaps as well as the listed Magnolia Stakes over 10 furlongs at 16.45 CET. Clive Brittain´s Kandidate (Neil Callan), unbeaten at this track, is the solid option here, but Brian Meehan´s Diamond Tycoon (Pat Smullen), not seen out since finishing 9th of 24 in the 2,000 Guineas last May, looks a big danger if he gets the trip. Neil Callan has another good chance with Philatelist for Michael Jarvis, very unlucky last time out, in the 11 furlongs handicap at 16.10, while Marco Botti can land a double in the sprint races with Tia Mia (Oscar Urbina) at 15.40 and Ceremonial Jade (Seb Sanders) at 17.50.

rest of Nad al Sheba

the rest of the Dubai vWorld Cup is also of the highest standard, with two races in particular standimg iut: The Dubai Duty Free over 9 furlongs on turf at 16.55 CET and the Dubai Sheema Classic over 1/2 miles on turf at 17.40. The latter event sees the only German starter of the meeting, Peter Schiergen´s Quijano with Anrasch Starke in the saddle. Quijano, who won here 3 times in 2007, was beaten in this race last year, and also in his prep race thisd time, but is expected to run much better this time. However he will have to put up a career-best performance to fi ish in the money against this opposition, who are headed by Hong Kong´ns Viva Pataca (John Moore/ Darren Beadman), who however is badly drawn. Saeed bin Suroor´s pair Gravitas (rankie Dettori) and Wets Wind (Kerrin McEvoy) are dangerous, as well as Youmzain (Mick Channon/ Richard Hughes), runner up in both the King George ad Arc last year, but behind Quijano at Baden-Baden. Dr. Dino (Richard Gibson/ Olivier Peslier) won the Hong Kong Vase, and South African hope Sun Classique (Mike de Kock/ Kevin Shea) can also be fancied. The Dubai Duty Free is probly the best race of the afternoon. Saeed bin Suiroor is again doubly represeented with Literato (Dettori) and Creachadoir (McEvoy), but possibly the high-ckass fillies can come out on top. Finsceal Beo (Jim Bolger/ Kevin Manning) won the English and Irish 1,000 Guineas last year and was just touched off by Darjina
in the French equivalent; Majestic Roi (Channon/ Darryll Holland) won the Sun Chariot and Vodka (Katsuhiko Sumii/ Yukata Take) the Japanese Derby. The first 3 races are all run on firt and Saeed bin Suroor hold a stromg hand in all three. Blackat Blackitten (Dettori) and Elusive Warning) can dominate the opening Godolphin Mile at 14.40, while Diabolical (Dettori) seems to hae only U.S. Hope Benny the Bull (R. Dutrow jr/ Edgar OPrado) to beat in the Golden Shaheen over 6 furlongs at 15.55. In the 8 runnings of the UAE Derby the winner has always come from the stables of Saeed bin Suroor or South African Mike de Kock and that looks almos certain to be the case again. Bin Suroor has 3 runners, Cocoa Beach (Ted Durcan), My Indy (Dettoori) and Numaany (McEvoy), while de Kock has two: Honour Devil (Johnny Murtagh) and Royal Vintage (Kevin Shea). Despite the jockey bookings, Cocoa Beach, easy winner of the UAE 1,000 Guineas and Oaks, can take this and score another win for the fillies.

Dubai World Cup

when Sheikh Mohammed founded the Dubai World Cup meeting a dozen years ago there were plenty of doubters to sneer that the meeting would never prove a success and tha money could not buy everything. They have been proved wrong, and today´s meeting is not only the best ever, but also features several of the best races ever run anywhere in the world. It can certainly be regarded as superior to the Breeders Cup in overall standards, and in terms of international appeal probably even eclipses the "Arc" meeting at Longchamp. Today there are runners from 15 different countries, including Hong Kong and Japan, New Zealand and South Africa, the U.S.A., France and one (Quijano) from Germany. Star of the show is undoubtedly Breeders Cup Classic winner and U.S Horse of the Year Curlin (Steve Asmussen/ Robbie Alborada), officially rated the best horse in the world and clear favourite for the Dubai World Cup, which will be run over 10 furlongs on dirt at 18.30 CET and despite the drop in the dollar´s value is still the richest race in the world with 6 million dollars in prize-money. On form and ratings, he can hardly lose today. The outside draw (12) is no problem, as in general horses drawn on the outside have an advantage in the dirt races here (but not on turf). Premium Tap, the pride of Saudi Arabia and partly owned by the king, and Japanese hope Vermilion were second and fourth here last year and should again pick up some valuable place money. The big question mark is Godolphin´s Jalil (Saeed bin Suroor/ Frankie Dettori); this 9.7 million dollars yearling took a long time to find his form, but has been a revelation since racing on the dirt track at Nad al Sheba, winning all of his 3 races here in excellent style. However he needs further improvement to figure today. South African trainer Mike de Kock is double-handed with Asiatic Boy (Johnny Murtagh) and Lucky Find (Kevin Shea), while the best outsider is Kocab, whose trainer Andre Fabre and jockey Stephane Pasquier have an outstanding record in these big international events. There is no betting in Dubai, but British bookies (and in other countries) will be pricing up all these races; Curling is generally quoted at around 3-1 on. Godolophin´s second string Happy Boy is a non-runner.

German runners at Le Croisé - Laroche

the last few days have seen relatively few German runners in France, but the situation is different today when 8 German-trained horses contest low grade races at Le Croisé - Laroche in north-eastern France. Christian Sprengel´s New Desert (Dominique Boeuf) sets the ball rolling in the 1100 metres seller for 3yo´s at 14.20 CET. An hour later, in a seller for older horses over the same trip, Saldario (Werner Baltromei/ Dominique Boeuf), Südsturm (Sascha Smcrzek/ Jerome Lermyte) and Pesago (Christian Sprengel/ Alxi Badel) are all engaged. In a seller over 2100 metres at 15.50 Uwe Stoltefuss´ Toninho (Johan Victoire) is opposed by Doris Smith´s Wings of April, while Grantley (Heinz Hesse/ Roman Perruchot) and Keltic Rock (Doris Smith/ Remi Campos) both contest yet another seller over 2100 metres at 16.50. Veteran Grantley is easily the best of the German runners, but is a sand track specialist and not certain to be suited by the very heavy going here, so Toninho gets our vote as the best prospect of a German winner. There is also N.H. racing from Enghien this afternoon and trotting from Vincennes this evening.

N.H. racing at Newbury

Newbury stages the only N.H. racing today and has a good card with large fields and competitive racing. The class 3 maiden hurdle over 2 miles 5 furlongs at 15.10 CET has attracted 18 runners, with Nicky Henderson´s pair Von Galen (Rose Davidson) and Prince du Beury (Adrian Tinkler) both holding a chance; but Alan King´s Dragon Eye (Christian Wlliams) made an excellent debut over hurdles after showing ability in bumpers and may be the answer. The class 3 novices handicap chase at 15.40 also looks very open. Top-weight My Immortal (David Pipe/ Tom Scudamore) was an expensive Cheltenham flop, but can make amends in this lesser company; Island Flyer (Tom George/ Paddy Brennan), a very easy winner of both his races over fences, is an obvious danger. The novices handicap hurdle at 16.15 is a " hands and heels" race for conditionals and amateurs. Amateur riders have the best prospects here, especially Josh Guerriero on Vic Dartnall´s Exmoor Ranger and Oliver Greenall on Nicky Henderson´s Pamak d´Airy. The class 3 handicap hurdle at 17.25 is also very tricky. German-bred Cortinas (Charlie Mann/ Noel Fehily) has ben raised 11 lbs for his Huntingdon win, but still has a chance, as do Penjo Bere (Gary Moore/ Philip Hide) and Distiller (Nigel Twiston-Davies/ Paddy Brennan), who despite a 7 lbs penalty for winning last week at Ludlow, still appears to be on a very favourable weight.

all-weather action this evening

this evening´s all-weather racing comes from kempton and from Dundalk in Ireland, where the races look much stronger. The conditions race over 1 1/2 miles at 22.10 at Dundalk has attracted some decent performers, notably Kempes (Frances Crowley/ Declan McDonogh), a close fourth to Harchibald here 4 weeks ago. The trainer´s husband Pat Smullen rides Prince Erik (6th in last year´s Irish Derby) for Dermot Weld, and he looks the main danger. Akadyr (Eoin Doyle/ Fran Berry) is another interestuing runner, as he won his only race on the flat so far; however he is held by Prince Erik on hurdles form. There could also be some decent performers in the 7 furlongs for 3yo maidens at 20.40. On Public form, Zars Gold (Kevin Prendergast/ Declan McDonogh), Mary Josephine (Harry Rogers/ Pat Shanahan) and Ashka (Ger Lyons/ Niall McCullough) look the three to concentrate on. The Kempton card begins with a 5 furlongs sprint, which might go to Andrew Balding´s top-weigt Holbeck Ghyll (William Buick); he was disappointing last season in better company but can score here after almost half a year´s break. The main danger is Spirit of Coniston (David and Adrian Nicholls), who has solid form on the all-weather.

all-weather action this afternoon

no fewer than 4 all-weather meetings today, all relatively low key, with Lingfield and Wolverhampton this afternoon. Best race at Wolverhampton is the class 4 handicap over 9 1/2 furlongsd at 17.35 CET, where all 7 runners can be given a chance, from top-weight Bee Stinger (Ian Wood/ Neil Callan) to bottom-weight Urban Warrior (Ian Williams/ Kirsty Milczarek). At Lingfield the mile race for 3yo maidens at 15.00 loos interstiung with three well-bred newcomers, Gulch´s Rose (Jeremy Noseda/ William Buick), Nightjar (Mark Johnston( Joe Fanning) and Blur (Richard Hannon/ Pat Dobbs). Those that have run are nothing special so that thse three could easily play a major role. The class 5 handicap at 16.40 is also a mile race for 3yo´s and looks quite open. Peter Chapple-Hyam´s General Blucher provided Alan Munro with his comeback win here a month ago, but the close third place of Canary Islands (Ed Dunlop/ Tom McLaughlin) over this CD a fortnight ago is arguably better form. Atheer Dubai (Clive Brittain/ Seb Sanders) was 3 lengths further back then, but is now 5 lbs better off, so could also figure in the finish, as well as Just like a Woman from Michael Bell´s in-form stable with Hayley Turner aboard.

DUBAI WORLD CUP

The Dubai racecourse of Nad el Sheba will be the focus of interest for the international racing community this coming Saturday, March 29th, when the Dubai World Cup meeting is held. This is the world´s richest raceday, when the seven races scheduled offer the enormous sum of 21.25 million US dollars in prize money. Many of the world´s best racehorses will take part, notably CURLIN, the U.S. Horse of Year in 2007 and officially rated the best horse in the world. He is expected to start hot favourite for Dubai World Cup.

French racing today

as is now usual for a Thursday, there are 3 PMU meetings today, with an early start at Marseille (7 flat races, one over hurdles, first race at 11.35 CET), a late start to the trotting meeting at Caen and normal times for the main meeting of the day at Saint-Cloud, where the featured event is the listed Prix Francois Mathet for 3yo´s over 2000 metres at 15.20. Jean-Claude Rouget has started the season in tremendous form and can take this with the unbeaten Indian Daffodil (Christophe Lemaire), who is likely to start at long odds-on. Only German interest of the day is in the final 2100 metres handicap at 17.20. Düsseldorf trainer Ralf Rohne saddles two runners here, top-weight Lennon (Johan Victoire) and West Pacific (Maxime Guyon), but with 20 runners this looks very difficult.

Ireland today

N.H. racing at Thurles in Ireland today, with huge fields in all 7 races. An interesting ex-German runner is Maximo (Tom McCourt/ M.J. Bolger), who runs in the opening maiden hurdle at 15.35 CET. He made no show in the winter in 3 races on very heavy ground, but the going - though still soft- is much better now and he recently ran well when runner-up on the all-weather. Willie Mullins and Davy Condon can team up to score a double with Taipan´s Way in the maiden hurdle at 16.05 and Orge d´Ete in the beginners chase at 17.10.

Exeter and Ayr

N.H. racing at Exeter and Ayr today. and the going at the Scottish track will be very testing. This should not worry German-bred Quicuyo, who has won both his starts this CD very easily on heavy ground and can take the novice hurdle at 16.45 CET, even though he is set to concede lumps of weight all round. He could start a good week for his family, as he is an own brother to Sheema Classic contender Quijano. Main danger should be Castletown Boy (Tony Charlton/ Tmmy Murphy), runner-up on his hurdles debut recently. Another likely novice hurdle winner is Componero (Howard Johnson/ Denis O´Regan), who runs at 15.40. Unbeaten in 3 point-to-points in Ireland, he has started off in good style over hurdles and can outclass today´s opposition. At Exeter, in-form trainer Andy Turnrell and stable jockey Mark Grant can take the two top handicaps with Jigsaw Dancer at 15.50 and Squires Lane at 16.20, both of whom were easy winners last week and still appear to be on a good mark. The class 3 novices chase at 16.55 looks a match between Pur de Sivola (Alan King/ Christian Williams), a faller in a grade one race last time, and consistent Oceanos des Obeaux (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson), winner last time out of a handicap at Newbury under a big weight. He is the more reliable, but the former has arguably more class.

all-weather action at Lingfield and Wolverhampton

all-weather racing this afternoon at Lingfield and this evening at Wolverhampton. At Lingfield Jon Akehurst´s Azygous is an interesting runner in the 5 furlongs handicap at 17.05 CET. He has been generally inconsistent, but all 3 of his career wins (including 2 CD) have been with Alan Munro in the saddle, who is reunited with him today. The 6 furlongs for maidens at 16.35 could be quite informative. Andy Turnell (wo probably has better chances over jumps today) saddles Interactive (Alan Daly), a good runner-up this CD last time, but he may have to give best to some unexposed 3yo´s, in particular Ralph Beckett´s Spin Again (Seb Sanders), a good fourth at Goodwood on his only start so far, and the two well-bred newcomers Yamal (Mark Johnston/ Joe Fanning) and Elzain (Mick Channon/ Chris Catlin). Surprisingly the racing is of much better quality at Wolverhampton´s evening meeting, where the featured evet is the class 2 handicap over 7 furlongs at 22.20, worth almost 10,000 GBP to the winner. This prize could go to top-weight Party Boss (Clive Brittain/ Seb Sanders); he was out of form in the second haslf 2008, but his spring form from last year gives him an excellent chance in this company. Galantry (Derek Shaw/ Tolley Dean), runner-up now three times running, looks the main danger. The class 3 handicap handicap for 3yo´s over 9 1/2 furlongs at 21.20 looks a facsinating event, as all 5 runners are last-time-out winnes who look capable of serious improvement. Perhaps top-weight Al Samha (Mark Johnston/ Greg Fairley), who scored here in good style 19 days ago, is the likeliest candidate but all the others mst be respected and the winner will have to be useful. There are also some potentially useful performers in the race for 3yo maiden fillies at 20.50, including Michael Bell´s Oaks entry Dancing Abbie (Hayley Turner), 3rd of 13 on her only start so far.

Fairyhouse Easter meeting: fourth day

easily the best racing of the day comes from Fairyhouse, which stages the fourth and last day of its big Easter meeting. Although yesterday´s Irish Grand National is the top event, today´s card is also high-class and starts off with a Grade Three hurdle for 4yo´s at 15.15 CET. An open event, with an interesting debutant frm the Chartlie Swan stable, Glenstal Abbey (David Casey), who was just about the best of these on the flat. C´est Ca (Willie and Paddy Mullins) has won his last two vfery easily, but is moving up in class, as is Miss Fancy Pants (Noel Meade/ Paul Carberry), an easy winner last time in a field of 30. Bouchard (Jessica Harrington/ Barry Geraghty) is still a maiden under both codes but has shown ability several times. The Dan Moore Memorial chase, a handicap over 2 miles 1 furlong at 15.45 could hae a fitting winner in top-weight Mansony, trained by Arthur Moore, son of Dan. he was pulled up last time in the Champion Chase at Cheltenham, where Schindler´s Hunt finished fourth, and obvioiusly this is easier. The Grade 2 novice hurdle at 16.15 could go to Jered (Meade/ Carberry); German-bred Lycaeum Dessie Hughes/ Barry Geraghty) ran badly last time, but has a chance on his earlier form. The big bettong race is the valuable handicap at 16.50 over 2 miles. Tony Martin has suffered some expensive reverses recently (including in yesterday´s big race) and will be hoping for better luck with Psycho (Davy Russell), who after winning easily at New Year, fell at the last next time and then finished fast but much too late at Cheltenham. He looks certain to start a warm favourite.