N.H. racing at Chepstow and Ayr

No doubt Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh are busy putting the finishing touches to their Cheltenham team, but it is surprising to see them show up at the Welsh track of Chepstow with just the one runner King Fontaine, who faces 14 opponents in the opening 3 mile maiden hurdle at 15.35 CET. He was an odds-on flop over this CD last time, but the ground was desperate that day and he deserves another chance now. Another one who should appreciate better going is German-bred Walamo (Tim Vaughan/ Seamus Durack) in the 3 mile handicap hurdle at 17.45; he is moving up in distance now but has a definite each-way chance in this large field. There are only 4 runners in the beginers chase at 16.35, which looks at the mercy of Theatre Dance (David Arbuthnot/ Andrew Thornton).

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Traffic Control - Sergeant Harper - King Fontaine
2. Race: Bundle Up - Monsieur Georges - Leprechaun`S Gold
3. Race: Theatre Dance - Mark The Book - Jaunty Journey
4. Race: Back Among Friends - Our Jasper - Hope Road
5. Race: Hello Moscow - Magnifico - Quattrocento
6. Race: Man Of The Moment - Johns Square - Freeline Fury

The fields at Ayr are very small, with only 33 entries in the 7 races. The 2 mile handicap chase at 16.55 looks between top-weight Nelson du Ronceray (Peter Monteith/ James Halliday), a CD specialist, and Dancers Serenade (Richard Fahey/ Brian Hughes). The handicap chase over 3 miles 5 furlongs at 18.05 will require plenty of stamina and can go to top-weight Lucky Nellerie, who is dropping in grade here; he has been running in much better company and can concede the weight to Dickie Lewis (Donald McCain/ Paul Benson).

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Oh So Humbel - Scolboa Music Man - Mighty Massini
2. Race: Sotovik - Cadoudalas - Corlande
3. Race: Young Albert - Manadam - Monolith
4. Race: Nelson Du Ronceray - Dancer`S Serenade - Selection Box
5. Race: Zaffarella - Lockstown - Harrison`S Star
6. Race: Dickie Lewis - Lucky Nellerie - Matmata De Tendron
7. Race: Turbo Island - Quannapowitt - Mithian