today´s N.H. racing

there are three jumps meetings today, Ludlow and Carlisle in the U.K. and Thurles in Ireland, where the ground is very soft. In Ireland, Noel Meade´s Fist of God (Paul Carberry), beaten at odds-on on both his hurdles sarts, can be given another chance in the 3yo hurdle at 16.50 CET, while ex-German Maximo (Tom McCourt/ Paul Townend) has each-way prospects in the maiden hurdle at 17.20. Another ex-German who should run well is Heavenly Blues (Ted and Ruby Walsh) in the conditions race over sticks at 17.55. There are also some ex-Germans with chances at Ludlow, where Salinas (Milton Harris/ Dave Crosse) runs in the selling hurdle at 16.25, First Point (Nicky Hemderson/ Felix de Giles) in the handicap hurdle at 16.55 and Wild Power (Helen and Owyn Nelmes) in a handicap chase at 18.00. Of these First Point, unplaced on soft ground but for whom today´s going should be ideal, has probably the best chance. Two interesting chasing prospects at Carlisle are Astarabad (Howard Johnson/ Denis O Regan) in the novice chase over 2 miles at 15.40 and Nine de Sivola (Ferdy Murphy/ Graham Lee) over 3 miles at 17.15. The last-named is astonishingly still a maiden over fences, despite having finished second in both the Irish and Scottish Grand Nationals in 2007 but has not been out since and may have to play second fiddle today to Tot o´Whiskey (Malcolm Jefferson/ Phil Kinsella), runner-up over a shorter trip at this course on his chasing febut a fortnight ago.