N.H.racing in Britain and Ireland

Jumps racing today in England at Newcastle and Stratford and in Ireland at Clonmel, but the best racing takes place at Stratford, where most of the top jockeys are engaged. Favourite backers can get off to a good start with Predateur (Paul Nicholls/ Sam Thomas) in the opening beginners chase at 14.50 CET. This was one of the few under-achievers in the Nicholls stable last year, failing to win in 4 starts (3 times beaten favourite), but apparently connections still feel that he can make up for lost time. The 3 1/2 mile handicap chase at 15.50 looks quite open, but the 3 last-time-out winners What a Scientist (Nigel Twiston-Davies/ Paddy Brennan), Earcomesannie (Paul Pritchard/ Jack Doyle) and top-weight Terramarique (Nicky Henderson/ Marcus Foley) should all be thereabouts. Twiston-Davies ad Brennan are enjoying a great run and can also win the maiden hurdle at 16.20 with Sexy Rexy (who he?) - the danger being You and I (Henderson/ TonyMcCoy), while useful bumper horse Bakbens cher (Alan King/ Robert Thornton) can make a successful hurdles debut at 17.20. Some good ex-bumpers also on view at Newcastle, notably Broadway Star (Nicky Richards/ Rose Dobbin - née Davidson) and Waterloo Road (Howard Johnson/ Denis O´Regan) who both make their hurdles debut in the novice race at 15.00; Numero Due (George Moore/ Barry Keniry), a useful staying handicapper on the flat, has already won over sticks and will make sure that they know their job. There are huge fields at both Newcastle and Clonmel, and the smallest field at the Irish track is in the best race, a 2 1/2 miles chase at 15.55. Glenfinn Captain (Tom Taaffe/ Barry Geraghty) and Justpourit (Dessie Hughes/ Roger Loughran) are the best horses in the field but have to give 11 lbs to the promising The Gloves are Off (Mouse Morris/ Davy Russell), which may prove beyond them.