Three all-weather meetings today

There is all-weather racing this afternoon at Southwell and this evening at Wolverhampton and Dundalk in Ireland. The Southwell card is not inspiring and the most interesting event is the maiden race over 1 1/2 miles at 16.45 CET. The three 3yo´s in the field, Augusta Gld (Nick Littmoden/ Luke Morris), Dollar Express (Jeremy Noseda/ Shane Kelly) and Fin Vin de Leu (Mark Johnston/ Greg Fairley) come out best at the weights, but there must be doubts about all three of them, so that the older horses Miss Keek (Alan Swinbank/ Peter McDonald) andThirtyfourthstreet (Willie Muir/ Martin Dwyer) maybe the more solid options.

They were 3rd and 4th in a similar race at Wolverhampton last time and can now step up a couple of places. Later on there is another encounter with Obe Royal (David and Richard Evans), running for the 15th time since Christmas. He is currently in great form, having finished 1/2 on his last 6 starts, and has actually won his last 3 races here over 7 furlongs, the distance of today´s handicap at 17.55, so obviously should be involved again. Bes race this evening at Wolverhampton is the class 3 handicap over 5 furlongs at 21.50. Chjimes (Conor Dore/ Liam Keniry)is the likely favourite, having won 4 of his ast 5 starts; however they were all at Lingfield, while he has never shone here. Possibly the CD specialists Harry Up (K and A Ryan), although badly drawn, Canadian Danehill (Robert Cowell/ Shane Kelly), whose last form can be ignored as he bolted before the start, and the speeedy Bo McGinty (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan), very dangerous off bottom weight, can be preferred.

At Dundalk there are maximum fields in most races, but only 6 runners in the conditions race over 1 mile3 furlongs at 22.25. However there are some smart performers here, including 12yo Emmpat (Charlie Swan/ Willie Lee), runner-up to Harchibald here when last seen; that was over a year ago, so Crossing (William Fitzgerald/ Declan McDonogh), a sprightly 8yo who is very well in at the weights, can be preferred, while Designated Decoy(Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen), who ran on well when 3rd of 21 in last Sundays Irish Lincoln, must be favourite on current form. Earlier ex-German Maximo (Tom McCourt/ Kevin Manning) must have an each-way chance in the mile handicao at 20.00. He has not won since moving to Irelad, but has been very consistent and has finished in the first 5 (admittedly usually 4th or 5th) on his last 14 starts. He has been dropped 3 lbs by the handicapper and could well after a 5 months break.