Doncaster and Fairyhouse (Ireland)

Fairyhouse´s fixture, already cancelled twice because of a waterlogged track, has finally been given the green light to go ahead and their top race, the Grade Two Normans Grove Chase over 2 miles 1 furlong at 15.05 CET, has a small but select field. Watson Lake (Noel Meade/ Barry Geraghty), Thyne Again (Liam Burke/ Shay Barry) and Mansony (Arthur Moore/ Davy Russell) are 3 of the best Irish chasers at this distance and last time finished second, third and fourth respectively behind Big Zeb (second favourite for the Champion Chase) in a Grade One at Leopardstown´s Christmas meeting. With Watson Lake now slighty better off at the weights, that form should be confirmed, while Ted Walsh´s Southern Vic, with son Ruby in the saddle, a possible alternative, although the trip seems on the short side.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Qualviro - Across The Bay - Colbert Station
2.Race: Clan Tara - The Midnight Club - Orpheus Valley
3.Race: Watson Lake - Thyne Again - Mansony
4.Race: Sizing America - Stewarts House - Colonel Arthur
5.Race: Flag Point - Culmullen Hall - So Billiant
6.Race: Farmer Grant - An Peinteir - What Odds
7.Race: Hammersmith - Supreme All Star - Moilleadoir



There are huge fields at Doncaster, with 6 of the 7 races having 16 or more runners, and winners could be hard to find. However it could pay off today to follow the German-breds who could run well at big prices, such as Early Wings (Caroline Bailey/ David England) in the opening conditional jockeys handicap hurdle at 13.50, or Lucy Wadham´s pair El Dancer and Super Directa (both wth Dominc Elsworth in the saddle) in the two divisions of the novice hurdle at 14.20 and 14.55. Best race on the card is the 4yo hurdle at 16.05; Silk Drum (Howard Johnson/ Denis O´Regan) is the class act here, but may struggle to give 10 lbs to Motarid (Tim and Robert Walford), who was just touched off over this CD before Christmas.

Betting forecast:
1.Race: Well Disguised - Max Bygraves - Cordier
2.Race: Quwetwo - Surprise Pension - Moonwalking
3.Race: Fushe Jo - Limbo King - Alderley Rover
4.Race: Just Smudge - Huckleberry - Fighting Chance
5.Race: Silk Drum - Motarid - Ovthenight
6.Race: Rathmulen - Watch My Back - Berings Express
7.Race: Western Whisky - Edgbriar - Empty Sky