Chester, Sandown and Hamilton

The weather has now stabilised in Britain and Ireland, and the going is good, or even good to firm, for most of today´s racing. Hamilton´s best race is the 6 furlongs handicap at 17.50 CET in which the two lightly-weighted 3yo´s Elijah Pepper (David Barron/ Paul Fessey) and Nabeeda (Mel Brittain/ Tyrone Williams) must have a chance, but back to form Finsbury (Jim Goldie/ Nicky Mackay) and consistent CD winner Grazeon Gold Blend (John Quinn/ PJMcDonald) are also respected. At Chester the main feature is the class 2 racefor 2yo fillies over 6 furlongs at 17.05; only 5 runners, but an interesting heat, with both Excellerator (George Baker/ Jamie Spencer) and Aspen Darling (Alan Bailey/ Mick Fenton) having been competing in group races, but possibly Richard Hannon, whose juveniles are in great form, can pip them both with Acquiesced (Seb Sanders).

The 7 furlongs handicap there looks wide open, but Fashtha (Silvester Kirk/ Chris Catlin) is well drawn and deserves to win a race of this standard after several good efforts. The mile handicap at 17.30 a Sandown looks equally difficult. the 12 runners include 4 last-time-out winners, including Ebn Malk (Michael Jarvis/ Philip Robinson), Admiral Dundas (Willie Jarvis/ Frankie Dettori) and Isphahan (Andrew Balding/ William Buick), the three bottom weights, while Henry Cecil´s Rattan (Tom Queally) is an obvious threat.