Haydock, Wincanton and Naas

there is also some high-class N.H. racing today at Haydock, Wincanton and in Ireland at Naas, where another leading Cheltenham fancy, Cousin Vinny (Willie and Patrick Mullins) has only 3 opponents in the novice hurdle at 14.30. Realt Dubh (Noel Meade/ Paul Carberry) is the danger, but defeat for Cousin Vinny would certainly come as a surprise. Mullins can also take the novice chase at 15.00, the richest race on the card, with Equus Maximus (Paul Townend). Much more open is the listed hurdle race over 2 miles 3 furlongs at 15.35, but German-bred Aitmatov (Meade/ Carberry), not disgraced in top company, could win this at his best. More top hurdlers are on view at Haydock, although the Champion Hurdle Trial at 14.20 is unlikely to have much influence on the real thing at Cheltenham. Afsoun (Nicky Henderson/ Tony McCoy) and Snap Tie (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson) are the class acts here, but they have to give a lot of weight to Malcolm Jefferson´s Issaaqah (Phil Kinsella), an ea sy winner of her last 3 races. More smart hurdlers are on view in the novice hurdle at 15.25, with Dee Eee Williams (Nick Gifford/ Liam Treadwell), Clay Hollister (Henderson/ McCoy) and Mahonia (Paul Nicholls/ Sam Thomas) all highly rated. The Peter Marsh Chase over 3 miles at 14.55 is the most valuable race here and used to be a significant Grand Nationa trial; this is probably no longer the case, but it is still a highly competitive event with runners from almost all the top yards. Cloudy Lane (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire) is the only leading National contender in the field but faces a stiff task under top weight, and we have a sneaking fancy for Henrietta Knight´s Glasker Mill (Graham Lee), despite a couple of below-par efforts this season. At Wincanton, the best race is the Connaught Cup, a handicap chase over 3 miles 1 furlong. Venetia Williams has her strong in great form and can take this with bottom-weight Zacharova. Paul Nicholls is always to be feared at his local track and can land a first and last race double with Pepite de Soleil at 13.55 and Special Occasion at 17.20, his only two runners on the card.

Betting forecast Haydock:
1.Race: Snap Tie - Afsoun - Songe
2.Race: Dear Villez - Cloudy Lane - Kandjar D`Allier
3.Race: Mahonia - Dee Ee Williams - Clay Hollister
4.Race: Massini`S Maguire - Will Be Done - Wind Instrument
5.Race: Bannister Lane - The Ring - Hidden Bounty
6.Race: Tarablaze - Finney - Cloudy Times



Betting forecast Wincanton:
1.Race: Pepite de Soleil - Santia - Hey Big Spender
2.Race: Saphir Des Bois - Haar - Sharajan
3.Race: Tender Falcon - Nortonthorpe Lad - Show Winner
4.Race: Tarotino - Kew Jumper - Gentleman Jimmy
5.Race: Peppertree Lane - Victorias Groom - Vodka Brook
6.Race: Zacharova - Nicto De Beauchene - Stolen Moments
7.Race: Special Occasion - Pourdel - In Vino



Betting forecast Naas:
1.Race: Shirley Casper - Themoonandsixpence - Lord Cebellino
2.Race: Cousin Vinny - Realt Dubh - An Cathaoir Mor
3.Race: Equus Maximus - Good Fella - Nuvelli
4.Race: Aitmatov - Clopf - Coolcashin
5.Race: Colmanstown Hope - Topofdemornintou - Pommier D`Estruval
6.Race: Smack That - Maca Rince - Prudent Honour
7.Race: Jessies Dream - Tonto Murphy - Barrackhillboy