N.H. racing at Lingfield and Wincanton

The most interesting runner in the U.K today from the German point of view is Mario Hofer´s Something Stupid, who makes his hurdles debut in the maiden hurdle at 15.00 at Wincanton with Seamus Durack in the saddle. He last ran on the flat in October but the trainer, currently in Dubai, reports that he is well-schooled and in good form. He has 16 opponents, best of whom should be St. Kilians Run (Paul Nicholls/ Ruby Walsh) - from a stable that always does well at this track -and Prince Saabah (Venetia Williams/ Sam Thomas), in the mon ey on all 3 hurdles starts, but if Something Stupid jumps well he must have a chance, as he was as good as any of these on flat form. It could be a good day for German-breds, as Suntini (Emma Lavelle/ Jack Doyle) - a son of Platini - has good prospects in the handicap hurdle here at 16.30, while there are also several ex-Germans running at Lingfield´s N.H. meeting.

Super Directa (Lucy Wadham/ Dominic Elsworth) was the only one to give the smart Aachen a race last time out and may be good enough to take the novice hurdle at 15.20, amd Wadham and Elsworth also team up with Victoria s Groom in the handicap hurdle at 16.55, in which two more German-breds are entered, Princess Flame (Brendan Powell/ Jimmy McCarthy) and Federstar (Milton Harris/ Charlie Poste); however the one to beat here is top-weight Laustra Lad (David Pipe/ Tom Scudamore), just touched off last time against better opposition at Southwell. Tacinja, a daughter of Acatenango, ran respectably on her forst start for Roger Curtis and could now play a leading role in the handicap chase at 17.30 with Paul O´Neill riding.