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.