N.H.racing at Ayr, Sandown and Wincanton

It is Grand Military Gold Cup day at Sandown today - the favourite meeting of the late Queen Mother, with amateur riders, and especially present and past members of the armed forces taking centre stage, with 3 races reserved for them. The Gold Cup itself, a 3 mile chase at 16.20 CET, has 8 runners, and could lie between Bannister Lane (Donald McCain/ Lt.Col. Elwood), who won the Roal Artillery Gold Cup over this CD last time, and last year´s winner Bolachoir (S. Slevin/ Capt. Michael), whose trainer also saddles Jamadiel (Capt. Edwards), who has won his last 5 races, all point-to-points, but meets better opposition now. Lt.Col. Ellwood, who has plenty of experience in such races, can also land the opening handicap hurdle on Charlie Mann´s German-bred Figurita, who has last-time-out winner Marchand d´Argent (Philip Hobbs/ Capt. Wallace) to beat. There could also be a German-bred winner Ayr, with both Lugato (James Lambe/ Miss CV Annan) and Solis (Peter Monteith/ James Halliday ) entered in the novices handicap hurdle at 16.30. There are only 4 runners in the main feature here, a 3 mile 1 furlo handicap chase at 17.05. Sammy Spiderman (Alistair Whillans/ Brian Harding) is the likely favourite after winning his last 3 races here, but he is moving up in grade and has never raced beyond 2 miles 5 furlongs. Hecan be opposed with Panama at Once (Joss Saville/ Tom Messenger), who stays well and has decent CD form. Top-weight Silver by Nature (Lucinda Russell/ Peter Buchanan) is another danger. At Wincanton there safest betting policy is usually to back all Paul Nicholls runners, especially when partnered by Ruby Walsh, and their 3 runners tday all desrrve attention - debutant Far from Blonde in the mares novice hurdle at 15.00, The Gossmoor Yank in the novice at 16.45 and Pennellis in the bumper at 18.30.