N.H. racing today in Ireland

Two jumps meetings in Ireland today, Cork and Punchestown, both with heavy ground forecast, and easily the best racing at Punchestown, where the main feature is theGrade One hurdle at 15.15 CET. With Harchibald a non-runner, only four line up, but they include the top two Irish hopes for the Champion Hurdle, Jered (Noel Meade/ Paul Carberry) and Sizing Europe (Henry de Bromhead/ Andrew McNamara), who actually started favourite at Cheltenham last March. Jered has already made a good start to the season and could make his fitness tell. With dual Champion Hurdle winner Hardy Eustace now apparently out of form, Won in the Dark (Sabrina Harty/ Davy Russell) looks booked for third place. It could still be a good day for the "Sizing" team trained by Henry de Bromhead, as Sizing Africa in the Grade 2 novice chase at 14.05 and Sizing America in the beginners chase at 14.40 also have decent chances, both with Davy Russell in the saddle.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Ross Accord - Dan George - Spring Charm
2.Race: Sizing Africa - Holly Tree - Shazand
3.Race: Clarified - Aranleigh - Barker
4.Race: Jered - Sizing Europe - Won In The Dark
5.Race: Farringdon - Lukie Victor - Horse Man Pass By
6.Race: Corskeagh Royale - Mick The Man - Themoonandsixpence
7.Race: Quinola Des Obeaux - Swallows Nest - Asigh Pearl



The best race at Cork is the Grade C handicap hurdle at 14.50 which looks wide open, but perhaps on this ground the lower weights can come out on top, and Sinatra Bar (Paul Nolan/ MP Walsh), Notable d´Estrival (Arthur Moore/ Robbie Colgan) and hat-trick seeking Mystical Breeze (Michael Hourigan/ Tom Doyle) are three likely contenders.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Lilywhitedancer - Beroni - Alpine Glade
2.Race: Lounaos - Robin Du Bois - See U Bob
3.Race: Cailin Alainn - Mystical Breeze - Sinatra Bar
4.Race: Tinakellylad - Slievecorragh - Marks Rusty
5.Race: Bring On Rocket - Atriptothelocal - Part Presenting
6.Race: Healys Bar - Strange Encounter - Karaking
7.Race: Preswell Lad - Raise You Ten - Maid Of Malabar