Beverly, Fontwell (N.H.) and Perth (N.H.) this afternoon

The best racing today comes from Perth, whre the second day of their big spring meeting is staged. Although it is debatable whether any "future champions" will be on view, as the race title implies, the novice chase over 3 miles at 16.10 CET has attracted some above-average performers, notably Zemsky (Nicky Henderson/ B arry Geraghty) and Steady Tiger (Nicky Richards/ Davy Condon). There are also some smart performers in th 3 miles chase at 16.40, but Nicky Richards´ pair Money Trix (Condon) and Faasel (Fearghal Davis) would both prefer softer ground, so our choice is front-runner Ollie Magern (Nigel Twiston-Davies/ Paddy Brennan), who fell early on in the Grand National, but whose trainer has a great record at this meeting. Another trainer who does well here is Irishman Gordon Elliott (2 winners yesterday!) and his Wikaala (Richard Johnson) looks dangerous off bottom weight in a tricky hurdle handicap at 17.40. James Lambe is another Irish trainer whose raids on the U.K. usu ally bring success, and he sends 3 runners on the long journey to Fontwell on the south coast.

Inner Voice (Robert Thornton) in the novice hurdle at 16.20 has the best chance, despite giving away a lot of weight, but 13yo Balakar (Sam Thomas) in the 3 miles 3 furlongs handicap hurdle at 17.20 and CD winner High Gales (Thornton) in the bumper at 18.25 also have good prospects. The only flat racing this afternoon comes from Beverly, but is mainly low level. Most interesting race could be the 8 1/2 furlongs maiden at 17.30. It is significant that both Sir Michael Stoute and Amanda Perrett send just one runner to the Yorkshire track to run in this race, The Fonz (Ryan Moore) and Wilfrid Pickles (Seb Sanders) respectively - and they are the only rides on the card for their top jockeys - but on form they have little in hand of local hope Dr. Jameson (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan).