N.H.racing in Britain and Ireland

Jumps racing this afternoon at Haydock and Towcester in England and Thurles in Ireland, and easily the best performer on view is the 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner War of Attrition (Mouse Morris/ Davy Russell), who appears to have a simple chance in the 2 3/4 miles Thurles Chase at 15.15 CET. He won over this CD 4 years ago and made an excellent comeback recently. The two veterans Rathgar Beau (Dusty Sheehy/ Ruby Walsh) and Central House (Dessie Hughes/ Paddy Flood) would have been able to give him a race a few years ago, but both appear to have lost form. The other interesting race at Thurles is the beginners chase an hour later, in which Financial Reward (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh) and Narquois (Noel Meade/ Paul Carberry) have the best chances based on their hurdling ability.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Back Me Up - Zarinava - Sallie`S Secret
2.Race: The Mighty Miller - Sporteen - Image Of Vermont
3.Race: War Of Attrition - Central House - Rathgar Beau
4.Race: Footy Facts - Western Gale - Equus Maximus
5.Race: Narquois - Financial Reward - Ah Ya Boy Ya
6.Race: Island Life - No Complications - Battle Axe
7.Race: Realt Dubh - Perfectly Composed - Little Barney



At Towcester, the handicap hurdle over 2 miles 5 furlongs at 16.00 looks very trricky, with most of the runners coming off long breaks. However Coda Agency (David Arbothnot/ Paddy Brennan) won on the all-weather 3 weeks ago and in fact has won 4 modest flat races this year, which could give him an edge. Bring Me Sunshine (Colin and Joe Tizzard), who won this in 2006, and top-weight Character Building (John Quinn/ Doigie Costello), who has been chasing, look the main dangers.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Liberty Seeker - Marlborough Sound - Can Can Flyer
2.Race: Auditor - Thenameescapesme - Badger
3.Race: Gold Reef - Ashleys Poppy - Cornelia
4.Race: Character Building - Captain Becket - Synchronised
5.Race: High Jack - Just Standeese - Benitez
6.Race: Brukirk Lass - If You Knew Suzy - Penny Queen



At Haydock, Briery Fox (Henry Daly/ Mark Brabourne) and Kandjar d´Allier (Alan King/ Robert Thornton), who ran well in some of the better handicap chaes last season, should make their presence felt in the 3 mile chase at 15.10, while top-weight Ellerslie Tom (Alison Thorpe/ Daryl Jacob), who ran his best race when 3rd over this CD in the Swinton Hurdle in May, is a speculative choice for the handicap hurdle at 16.10.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Flying Doctor - Our Jim - Raining Horse
2.Race: Balzaccio - Woolfall Treasure - Nino Cochise
3.Race: Terramarique - Native Coral - Montevideo
4.Race: Naiad Du Misselot - Coe - Nom De Guerre
5.Race: Royal Rationale - Ingratitude - Kingscape
6.Race: Professor Higgins - Fredo - Alderley Rover
7.Race: Double Hit - Barton Grey - Diklers Oscar