Full programme today

For almost the first time this year, there are no abandonments and thus a full programme of 8 meetings in Britain and Ireland today: 4 N.H. meetings in Britain and one in Ireland, and 3 all-weather flat meetings. Although the weather is now finally improving, the going will be heavy everywhere. With only 3 1/2 weeks to Cheltenham, this is almost the last chance for trainers to give their Cheltenham hopes a race before the big meeting, and numerous festival hopes from such trainers as Nicholls, Pipe, Henderson and King will be in action today. Punters are advised to check for non-runners before placing their bets, as a quite a few horses have double entries today.