N.H. racing at Ayr, Huntingdon and Clonmel (Ireland)

The best race at today´s 3 N.H. meetings is clearly the Sidney Banks Memorial, a novice hurdle over 2 1/2 miles at 16.25 CET at Huntingdon, which looks a very open affair. In the past this race has been won by several top-notch performers, but it is unlikely that any of today´s runners will feature strongly at the Cheltenham festival or other top meetings. However it is a most competitive affair, and logically the form choice must be the consistent Son of Flicka (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire), who had McMurrough (third)(Malclm Jefferson/ Graham Lee) and Mahonia (seventh) (Paul Nicholls/ Sam Thomas) behind him when runner-up to Alfie Flits last time at Haydock. Cracboumwitz (Alan King/ Robert Thornton) and Helpston (Pam Sly/ Warren Marston) look big dangers, while the winning form of King ar Aghaidh (David Arbuthnot/ Andrew Thornton) has been boosted this week. There are huge fields in the handicaps, but King and "Choc" should in any case go close with Minella Four Star in th e 3 mile chase at 16.55, while two German-breds with decent each-way chances are Early Wings at 15.20 and Diarius at 17.30. At Ayr, Quwetwo (Howard Johnson/ Denis O´regan) won his only hurdle start so far so easily that it is hard to imagine his being defeated in the novice hurdle at 16.45, while another hat-trick seeker is local trainer Lucinda Russell´s Nelliedonethat (Peter Buchanan) in the handicap chase at 17.15. Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh have been cleaning up in the recent Irish meetings and scored another double yesterday; they can continue on their winnings ways today at Clonmel, where Earth Mother in the mares maiden hurdle at 15.15 and Dooneys Gate in the chase at 16.45 both hold good chances. Walsh can also win the maiden hurdle at 16.15 on Financial Regulator for Margaret Mullins, while sister Katie has good prospects with Johnnie Joblot in the ladies handicap hurdle at 17.45.