N.H. racing at Stratford on Avon

Stratford stages the only turf racing today, and while we cannot expect any stars a week before Cheltenham, there are still some interesting runners. The maiden hurdle has 14 runners in each of two divisions, many of them ex-flat horses. Easily the best of them is Raincoat (Heather Dalton/ Steven Craine), who was group class for John Gosden, He made a decent hurdling debut recently and should win the first division at 15.30 CET. The sceond division half an hour later is more open, but ex-German Sam Whiskey (Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy) is our selection. McCoy is also reunited with Nicky Henderson´s Restless d´Artaix, on whom he won his 3000th race last month, and he can defeat Leading Contender (Philip Hobbs/ Tom O´Brien) in the novice chase at 16.30. Only 5 run here, but it is still quite an open race, and with the stable coming back into form, Nigel Twiston-Davies´ Crescent Island (Paddy Brennan), a CD winner, must also be considered.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Raincoat - Dip In The Med - Riddleofthesands
2. Race: Greyt Big Stuff - Ready To Crown - Boo
3. Race: Leading Contender - Crescent Island - Restless D`Artaix
4. Race: Milan Deux Mille - Transvestite - Archie Gunn
5. Race: Paradise Expected - Dew Drop Inn - Glenda Hoddle
6. Race: Mighty Moose - Strident - Great Tsar
7. Race: Frascati Park - Stratford Stroller - Red Rouble