N.H. racing at Newbury, Doncaster and Fakenham

Three jumps meetings today, with mainly large fields at Newbury, but much fewer runners at the other two tracks. Newbury also offers the best racing, and although we are most unlikely to see many Cheltenham contenders, severel of the runners in the opening 4yo hurdle at 14.35 have Triumph Hurdle entries, including Niclky Henderson´s debutant Tasheba (Barry Geraghty), a useful stayer on the flat. However on flat ratings he has little in hand of ex-German Narcisco (Nigel Hawke/ Donal Fahy), whio was not far off listed class in Germany.

Best on public hurdles form is Forget It (Gary and Jamie Moore), another interesting contender in what could be an informative race. Henderson has fancied runners all over today, and can also take the 2 miles handicap chase at 15,40 with Pepsyrock (Geraghty), a very easy winner at Sandown last week; top-weight Kelrev (Alan King/ Christian Williams) is not very reliable but always capable of springing a surprise. It could be significat that Ruby Walsh comes here for just one ride, Paul Nicholls´ Michel le Bon in the novice hurdle at 15.10, and this easy Chepstow winner can remain unbeaten, although there is plenty of oppositon, headed by the useful According to Dick (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson). Henderson can land a double at Doncaster with the Queen´s Gold Award, a smart bumper making his hurdling debut at 15.00 and German-bred Fairyland, runner-up on all her 4 British starts so far, in the mares handicap hurdle at 17.45, both partnered by Felix de Giles. Tony McCoy is in action at Fakenham, where he can land a double on Forty Five for Jonjo O´Neill in the novices handicap hurdle at 15.55 and Henderson´s debutant Know the Law in the maiden hurdle at 16.30, who has Gloucester (Michael Scudamore/ John Kington) to beat.

Two out-and-out Fakenham specialists clash in the opening handicap chase at 14.50, The Dark Lord (Lucy Wadham/ Matt Crawley) and Cool Roxy (Tony Blackmore/ Chris Honour), and although neither has convincing recent form to their credit, they can dominate here back on their favourite racecourse.