Chester and Southwell this evening

Flat racing this evening comes from Chester, while Southwell stages one of its rare N.H. meetings. Trainer Mrs. S. Leech and jockey Paul Moloney could well land a double at the latter track with consistent Croc an Oir in the 3 1/4 mile handicap chase at 20.00 CET and top weight Back to the Wind in the novice hurdle half an hour later. Back to the Wind was a comfortable winner at Ludlow nearly a month ago, but now meets third-placed Our Choice (Charlie Mann/ Noel Fehily) on 12 lbs worse terms, so it could be close. Chester features a race for maiden 2yo´s and 5 handicaps, all with quite large fields, so finding winners will not be easy. The effects of the draw at this tight track can be decisive, so punters are advised to concentrate on horses drawn low (low numbers). This could certainly be the case in the 7 furlongs handicap at 20.45. Daaweitza(Brian Ellison/ Jean-Pierre Guillambert), drawn 5, has been in good form this year and has already won twice, last time out defeating Captain Jacksparra (Kevin Ryan/ Neil Callan), drawn 9, and Phluke (Eve Johnson Houghton), drawn 8, at Catterick 17 days ago. At today´s weights there is nothing between this trio. Phluke always runs well here, but Hazzard County (David Simcock/ Richard Mullen), drawn 1, with good all-weather form, and Heywood (David and Adrian Nicholls), drawn 6, who won only last Friday at Catterick, are others to be considered in a tricky race.