Chantilly today

Chantilly today stages the first of its big summer Sunday meetings, featuring 3 Group Two races. The Grand Prix d Chantilly over 2400 metres at 16.05 has attracted a weaker field than usual, and injured German hope Adlerflug would undoubtedly have had a big chance here. Th much-improved Magadan (Elli Lellouche/ Antony Crastus) is now likely to start a hot favourite, although there is not much between him and Ideal World (André Fabre/ Stephane Pasquier). The Prix de Sandringham for 3yo fillies over a mile at 15.30 is a trial for the Diane here in 2 weeks time. German-owned Regane (Alain de Royer-Dupré/ Gerald Mossé) looked smart when winning first time out, but faces stiff opposition from Entre Deux Eaux (Robrt Collet/ Christophe Soumillon), Homebound (Jean-Claude Rouget/ Christophe Lemaire) and Celebra (Carlos Laffon-Parias/ Olivier Peslier).

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Stand To Gain - Le Bacardy - Balaythous
2. Race: Magnetic Storm - Kerno - Skyteam
3. Race: Lectrice - Heavenly Light - Wysiwyg Lucky
4. Race: Reggane - Homebound - Only Green
5. Race: Magadan - Ideal World - Timos
6. Race: Tayseer - African Rose - Delvita
7. Race: Akim De Ducor - Nil Blanc - Badad
8. Race: Last Cast - Abades - Zona Cero
9. Race: Galma - Juquehy - Lanabablue

4 N.H. meetings today

the rest of the action in the U.K. and Ireland is over the jumps, and perhaps the most interesting race is the opening hurdle race for 3yos at 15.30 CET at Stratford - the first race over the sticks for this age group. With 16 debutants running, it is not a race to bet on, but Key Regard (Charlie Mann/ Noel Fehily) was just about the best of them on the flat and comes from a yard that prepares them well. From the betting angle, the novice chase over 2 1/2 miles at 17.30 is more attractive, and we expect ex-German Group One winner Donaldson (Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy) to run well here, despite stiff opposition. He will appreciate the fast ground, as will another German-bred son of Lando, Passato (Jo Davis/ Seamus Durack) in the handicap chase an hour earlier. Another German-bred with good prospects is Los Nadis (Peter Monteith/ Ryan Mania) in the handicap hurdle at 17.20 at Perth, but the big race here is the Perth Gold Cup, a handicap chase over 3 mils at 16.50 with 18 runner s. Brooklyn Brownie (Malcolm Jefferson( Phil Kinsella) won this last year, but now has a huge weight, and we prefer Native Coral (Nicky Richards/ Fearghal Davis, Caipiroska (Ferdy Murphy/ Graham Lee) and Scots Dragoon (Nicky Henderson/ Felix de Giles). Henderson´s stable jockey Barry Geraghty makes his comeback today after breaking his wrist a month ago and can win the hurdle race at 16.45 at Listowel on top-weight Jafra for Eamonn McNamara. This race has only 5 runners, otherwise almost all races at the 2 Irish tracks racing today, Kilbeggan and Listowel, have maximum fields.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Rupestrian - Key Regard - Niceonefrankie
2. Race: Miss Phoebe - Bet Noir - Overspin
3. Race: Dev - Dishdasha - Dominican Monk
4. Race: Arctic Echo - St Mellion Freeway - Dizzy Future
5. Race: Harper Valley - Font - Martys Mission
6. Race: Dort Tranquille - Kaladan - I`Ve Been Framed
7. Race: Tollishill - Reaping The Reward - Great Mates

Bath stages only flat racing today

4 of the 5 meetings scheduled today for the U.K. and Ireland are N.H. fixtures, leaving Bath with the only flat racing. Best race here is the final 6 furlongs sprint handicap at 18.10 CET, with Kyllachy Storm (Ron Hodges/ Louis-Philippe Beuzelin) the likely favourite. He is an absolute track specialist and won on his last 3 visits here, but has gone up in the weights and may find German-bred Misaro (Ron Harris/ Luke Morris),who has been dropped by the handicapper, a formidable opponent. Veteran The Tatling (Milton Bradley/ Jack Dean) is 12 years old but can never be ignored in this grade, and another oldie who should run well is 11yo Siena Star (Stef Liffiard/ Micky Fenton), who has top-weight in the 10 furlongs handicap at 16.10 and has good recent form to recommend him.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Perle D`Amour - Fly Silca Fly - Secret Queen
2. Race: Second To Nun - Miss Mojito - Jobekani
3. Race: Siena Star - Samurai Warrior - Gallego
4. Race: Where`S Susie - Auntie Mame - Coral Shores
5. Race: Magic Rush - Maybe I Will - Sarah Park
6. Race: Corking - Lady Pilot - Tobago Bay
7. Race: Kyllachy Storm - Misaro - The Tatling

German runners at Longchamp

Main event in France today is the Group 3 Prix du Palais Royal over 7 furlongs at 16.15 at Longchamp, where there are no fewer than 3 German runners. After his narrow Baden-Baden win, Contat (Pavel Vovcenko/ Ratislav Juracek) has the best chance and holds New Fan (Dirk Baltromei/ Thierry Thulliez) on that form. Andreas Löwe´s Ottomax (Andreas Helfenbein) also has place chances, but the likely favourite here is consistent Dunkerque(Criquette Head/ Dominique Boeuf). Boeuf also partners Werner Baltromei´s König Bernard in the tierce´ mile handicap at 14.35, while the final German runner at the meeting is Peter Remmert´s Dwilano (Norman Richter) in the 2100 metres race at 15.40; on ratings he has an obvious chance, although Baron Ullmann´s Eye of the Tiger (Andre Fabre/ Johan Victoire) will be a clear favourite.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Vaziristan - Golden Century - Danseur Russe
2. Race: Dellaside - Filoudor - König Bernard
3. Race: Chakacha - Kandalek - Milford Sound
4. Race: Sakza - Eye Of The Tiger - Fastmambo
5. Race: Parfum Des Dieux - Up and Coming - Dunkerque
6. Race: Royale Life - Narmer - Nasaq
7. Race: Divin Tremp - Girofolo - Maemali
8. Race: Sweet Yasmina - Key To The Stars - Benveniste

rest of UK and Ireland

apart from the fixtures already mentioned, there is good racing this afternoon at Doncaster, but rather less inspiring sport this evening at Newbury and Lingfield. At Doncaster, 2 well-contested class 2 handicaps top the bill, and we expect Mister Hardy (Richard Fahey/ Jamie Moriarty) in the 7 furlongs event at 17.05 CET, and Falcativ (Luca Cumani/ Andrea Atzeni) over 1 1/2 miles at 17.40, both to complete four-timers. In Ireland, the jumps meeting at Listowel has been abandoned (track waterlogged), leaving Tramore the only racing today. The Aga Khan has 2 runners in the fillies maiden over 1 1/2 miles at 16.50, Sheridaniya (John Oxx/ Fran Berry) and Zafferana (Mike Halford/ Robbie Cleary), and they could well take the first 2 places.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Alrasm - Key Breeze - Big Audio
2. Race: Wind Star - Granston - Hevelius
3. Race: Proclaim - Saucy Brown - Akhenaten
4. Race: Mister Hardy - Decameron - Celtic Sultan
5. Race: Falcativ - Meethaaq - Dansili Dancer
6. Race: Billy Red - Luscivious - Peopleton Brook
7. Race: Salerosa - Silly Gilly - Betteras Bertie

listed races at Goodwood and York

there are also good cards this afternoon at Goodwood and York, with a listed race and hot handicaps at each fixture. At York, the listed race at 16.15 over 1 3/4 miles can go to Friston Forest (Saeed bin Suroor/ Ted Durcan), who has won his last 3 races, including a narrow verdict over the smart Veracity in Dubai. The 5 furlongs handicap at 16.45 is wide open with 15 runners. Our short list incudes Sirens Gift (Andrew Balding/ David Probert), Cheveton (Roger Price/ Richard Kingscote) and Hamish McGonagall (Tim Easterby/ Ted Durcan). Goodwood opens with a furlongs handicap at 15.20 CET, and although these valuable sprint handicaps are usually very tricky, this one has a ready-made favourite in the super-consistent High Standing (William Haggas/ Jamie Spencer), who is so far unbeaten over this distance. With Godolphin having fancied runners today at both Haydock and York, it could be significant that thir main jocky, Franki Dttolri, rides ar Goodwood, and thus is a pointer to the chance of Yamal in the listed mile race at 16.25. He has Perfect Stride (Sir Michael Stoute/ Jamie Spencer), Unnefer (Henry Cecil/ Eddie Ahern) and especially the lone 3yo Pure Poetry (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) to beat.

Betting forecast Goodwood:
1. Race: High Standing - Shifting Star - Seamus Shindig
2. Race: Crackentorp - Red Merlin - King Supreme
3. Race: Perfect Stride - Unnefer - Yamal
4. Race: Rakaan - Marine Spirit - State Fair
5. Race: Piste - Captain Kallis - Hillside Lad
6. Race: Aboukir - Eightdaysaweek - Arrogance
7. Race: Riggins - Mujood - Cape Hawk



Betting forecast York:
1. Race: Dunaskin - Nosferatu - Gross Prophet
2. Race: Mccartney - Regal Parade - Mia`S Boy
3. Race: Friston Forest - Furmigadelagiusta - Caracciola
4. Race: Hamish Mcgonagall - Cheveton - Siren`S Gift
5. Race: Falling Angel - Sweet Sonnet - Babylonian
6. Race: Smart Endeavour - Seek N` Destroy - Quanah Parker
7. Race: It`S A Date - Timocracy - Grand Art

Haydock today

the main meeting in the U.K. today is Haydock, featuring the Group 3 John of Gaunt Stakes over 7 furlongs at 16.05 CET as well as 3 listed races. The John of Gaunt looks quite tricky, although Main Aim (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore) looks certain to start a warm favourite following his easy handicap win last time. However he is up in class and in distance, so things may not be quite as straightforward now. Godolphin´s Asset (Saeed bin Suroor/ Willie Supple) looks a big danger, as is Tariq (Peter Chapple-Hyam/ Alan Munro). Among the longshots Laa Rayb(Mark Johnston/ Royston French), disappointing his last starts but his good second place in Cologne last September not forgotten, and CD specialst Welsh moror (Tom Tate/ Stv Drown) - espcially if it rains- are also worth consideration. The listed race over 5 furlongs at 15.05 is also very open, Royal Rock (Chris Wall/ Alan Munro) is favourite here, but the 2 3yo´s in the field, Anglezark (Tim Easterby/ Andrew Elliott) and Percul ator (Paul Cole/ Jimmy Quinn) are dangerous, as well as Dandy Man (Saeed bin Suroor/ Seb Sanders), while an exotic note is added by Ialysos, winner of 6 successive races in his native Greece, but now with Luca Cumani and partnered by in-form William Buick. However he may not be good enough, and Buick has better chances with Jeremy Noseda´s Awinnersgame in the 6 furlongs listed race for 3yo´s at 17.10; Sayif (Chapple-Hyam/ Munro) and Danehill Destiny (William Haggas/ Ryan Moore) look his main opponents. The listed race for fillies and mares over 1 1/2 miles at 15.35 could go to Clowance (Roger Charlton/ Seb Sanders), who however has not run since finishing 4th in last years Oaks.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Royal Rock - Anglezarke - Dandy Man
2. Race: Gravitation - Clowance - Les Fazzani
3. Race: Main Aim - Asset - Arabian Gleam
4. Race: Take Ten - Strike Shot - Senate Majority
5. Race: Sayif - Awinnersgame - Damien
6. Race: Amerigo - Cape Tribulation - Tilt

German runners at Le Croise-Laroche

The French provincial racecourse at Le Croise-Laroche is well situated for German trainers, and there are 8 German runners there this afternoon. 4 of them run in the 2100 metres claimer for 3yo colts at 14.35 - Alvarado (Dr. Bolte/ Thierry Thulliez), Horse of Course (Doris Smith/ Fabien Lefbevre) and Ralf Rohne´s pair Ying (Mikael Barzalona) and Black Law (Aurelien Lemaitre), while Dr.Bolte and Thulliez also team up with Malica in the equivalent race for fillies at 15.05; in the same race Peter Schiergen´s Laury (Andrasch Starke) has in our opinion the best German chance of the day. An hour later, Action Law (Bolte/ Thulliez) runs in a 1100 metres claimer, while Erturk Kurdu´s Goldanera (Stephan Hellyn) in entered in a 2100 metres handicap for older horses at 16.35. There are some quite large fields here and also some ex-German runners, so winning will not be easy. There is also jumps racing this afternoon at Auteuil and trotting this evening at Vincennes.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Hiporoi - Solarea - Pacific Rift
2. Race: Magallanes - Ying - Loup d`Eden
3. Race: Victoir D`auteuil - Arakawa - Malica
4. Race: Monava - Starlight - Slew Along
5. Race: The Jay Factor - Swing The Ring - Avertigo
6. Race: Anonyme Island - Goldanera - Taita`S Sun
7. Race: Low Budget - Blow The Lot - Grand Harbour
8. Race: Theorique - Momiji - Premier Violon

5 meetings this evening

Haydock and Musselburgh stage flat racing this evening, while there is N.H. racing at Towcester, where Tony McCoy could be the jockey to follow. He can win the novice hurdle at 21.00 CET on Evan Williams´ Alanna Castle, a bumper winner making his debut over sticks, and also has chances in the 2 following races with Jonjo O´Neill´s Sea Wall and Mark Rimell´s Cove Mountain. At Musselburgh, the 1 3/4 mile handicap at 21.20 has only 7 runners, but still looks quite tricky. Dazzling Light (Jim Goldie/ Danil Tudhope) was 2nd of 16 in a hot handicap at York last time, with Polish-bred Dzesmin (Richard Fahey/ Barry McHugh) only 6th, but the latter is better off at the weights and will be well suited by the extra distance this time.

At Haydock, the 2 top-weights Gilt Edge Girl (Clive Cox/ Philip Robinson) and Servoca (Barry and Michael Hills) look the likeliest candidates in the 5 furlongs handicap for 3yo´s at 20.10, and the same two teams can dominate the 10 furlongs maiden race at 22.10 with Decision and Devotion to Duty respectively. There are maximum fields in almost all races at the 2 Irish meetings, over jumps at Tramore and on the flat at Down Royal. At the latter track, Jim Bolger and his son-in-law Kevin Manning can land a double with Maidin Moch, top-weight in the 7 furlongs handicap at 19.55 and Siodvil in the 5 furlongs race for 3yo´s an hour later.

Goodwood, Hamilton and Yarmouth this afternoon

Plenty of racing today, but none of it very inspiring. By Goodwood standards this afternoon´s card is undistinguished, but it is still much better than those at the other two tracks. Hardly a day goes by without trainer Andrew Balding and jockey William Buick in the winners circle, and they can combine with Critical Path in the mile race for 3yo maiden fillies at 17.45 CET and oldtimer Dingaan in the 7 furlongs handicap at 18.15 to score twice more. Global (Richard Hannon/ Patrick Hills) must shoulder a huge weight, but has won his last 2 races so easily that he can go in again in the 3yo handicap at 16.35, while Ryan Moore, out of luck last night at Sandown, has two winning chances here, on Vic Dartnall´s useful hurdler in the 2 mile handicap at 15.25 and on his father´s Blaise Tower in the 3yo handicap over 10 furlongs at 17.10.

At Hamilton, the 6 furlongs handicap at 16.55 looks wide open, with all 8 runners holding a chance. All the Nines (Mrs. DJ Sanderson/ Silvestre de Sousa),one of 2 3yo´s in the field, is on a hat-trick, but top-weight Ingelby Arch (David Barron/ Neil Brown) looks the more reliable option. Yarmouth´s card is very moderate, and the class 5 handicap over 7 furlongs at 17.20 looks the best race. Hobson (Eve Johnson Houghton/ Richard Mullen) and Networker (Phil McBride/ Edward Creighton) were both beaten a short head last time, and could go close, while Mudhish (Clive Brittain/ Shane Kelly) has been runner-up 3 times running and certainly deserves to win.

More Ascot Gold Cup clues in Ireland

There could also be some clues for the Ascot Gold Cup at this evening´s Leopardstown meeting, as the listed Saval Beg Stakes over 1 3/4 miles at 21.00 CET has been won in the past by such top Irish stayers as Yeats. With that one under a cloud, the Aga Khan´s unbeaten Alindi (John Oxx/ Mick Kinane) now seems the top Irish hope for Ascot and he is certain to be warm favourite tonight. He holds British raiders Hindu Kush and The Betchworth Kid on their last run here, but Robert Hennessy´s pair Sublimity (Seamus Heffernan) and Donegal (Declan McDonough) could prove troublesome, Both have been running over hurdles, and while Sublimity - Cheltenham winner 2 years ago!- was much the better in that department, he has not run on the flat for 4 years and Donegal is preferred. There is also racing this evening at Newcastle (flat) and Wetherby (N.H.), but no highlights at either track.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Clashnacree - Reggae Dancer - Velvet Flicker
2. Race: Alfred Nobel - Bobbyscot - Cool Marble
3. Race: Man Of Iron - Smart Miler - Spinning Well
4. Race: Hujaylea - Ajman - Patrickswell
5. Race: Alandi - The Betchworth Kid - Donegal
6. Race: Johann Zoffany - Toraidhe - Chebona Bula
7. Race: South Wing - Le Leopard - Laurel Creek

German runners at Saint-Cloud

Big race in France today is the Group Two Prix Corrida for 4yo+ fillies and mares over 2100 metres at 14.05. German runners have a good record here and three of them try to improve this today - Guantana (Jens Hirschberger/ Stephane Pasquier) Salve Germania (Waldemar Hickst/ Andreas Suborics) and Stella di Quattro (Uwe Ostmann/ Andrasch Starke), while the ex -Peter Schiergen Goose Bay /Freddie Head/ Davy Bonilla) is also in the line-up. The one they have to beat is clearly the Aga Khan´s Shemima (Alain de Royer-Dupre/ Christophe Soumillon), who beat most of this field last time out in the Prix Allez France. Please note that the racing starts here very early, with the first race (featuring Gestüt Schlenderhan´s well-bred newcomer Steuben (Andre Fabre/ Maxime Guyon) at 12.35. Another German runner here is Gyrona (Andreas Trybuhl/ William Mongil), who runs in the 2400 metres handicap at 15.05

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Berouni - Steuben - Spirit Of The King
2. Race: Shediyama - Vellane - Shediyama
3. Race: Polidina - King Des Landes - Zidino
4. Race: Diyakalanie - Tubular Bells - Albisola
5. Race: Happy View - Sledmere - Maggiore
6. Race: Turfani - Cru Du Clos - Lester Quercus
7. Race: Dalliara - Parfaite - Roccamena
8. Race: Little Cry - Rocamar - Ice Full

Stoute to score at Sandown

Sandown stages one of the best evening meetings of the year today, featuring 2 group and 2 listed races. Main vnt is the Henry II Stakeovr 2 miles at 20.10 CET. Patkai (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore) is favourite for the Ascot Gold Cup and should win this, although Geordieland (Jamie Osborne/ Shane Kelly), twice runner-up to Yeats at Ascot,would be a big threat if in the right mood. The same connections can also take the Brigadier Gerard Stakes over 10 furlongs at 20.45 with Conduit, although this is not quite so straightforward; Conduit, as a Group One winner (Breeders Cup Turf and St.Leger) has to concede weight all round, he is running over a distance short of his best and he may need the race, but he is still the class act here and can defeat Pipedreamer (John Gosden/ Jimmy Fortune) and Campanologist (Saeed bin Suroor/ Ted Durcan). Monsieur Chevalier (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) and Raines Cross (Peter Winkworth/ Jim Crowley) are both unbeaten and clearly two of the best 2yos seen out so far; they can dominate the listed race over 5 furlongs at 19.35, while the mile race for 3yo´s at 21.20 looks very tricky.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Kensington Oval - Moves Goodenough - Wiggy Smith
2. Race: Monsieur Chevalier - Raine`S Cross - Star Rover
3. Race: Patkai - Geordieland - Fiulin
4. Race: Pipedreamer - Conduit - Campanologist
5. Race: Racketeer - Ashram - Border Patrol
6. Race: Cadre - Wintercast - Axiom

Ayr, Lingfield (a.w.) and Yarmouth

The leading Scottish track of Ayr stages its first flat meeting of the year today, and Sirvino (David Barron/ Phillip Makin), who has won all his 3 starts this season, looks the obvious favourite for the 10 furlongs handicap at 17.20 CET. However he will not find it easy to concede the weight to Fujin Dancer (Richard Fahey/ Jamie Moriarty) or Inspector Clouseau (Tom Tate/ Paul Mulrennan), who are both useful in this grade, while the unbeaten Hillview Bay (Jim Goldie/ Daniel Tudhope) is the big unknown quantity here. At Yarmouth, the good apprentice Louis-Philippe Beuzelin can take both divisions of the mile maiden with Willie Jarvis´ Papyrian at 16.10 and Sir Michael Stoute´s Class is Class half an hour later. Best betting race at Lingfield is the 5 furlongs handicap at 16.30, which will probably be run at a furious pace. Almaty Express (John Weymes/ Robert Winston) is back to form and has won his last 2 races, but is more of a Wolverhamptn specialist, and we prefer Lochsong (Andrew Balding/ William Buick), while Peak District (Kevin Ryan/ Ryan Moore) is another threat.

Beverley, Southwell (N.H.) and Punchestown (N.H.) this evening

Beverley stages its most important race of the year today, the listed Hilary Needler Stakes for 2yo fillies at 20.20 CET. This looks wide open with 9 of the 15 runners being last-time-out winners, and whoever scores here can certainly go for the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot with a decent chance. Our fancy is Don´t Tell Mary (Tom Dascombe/ Richard Kingscote), the only unbeaten filly in the field, but she needs to show further improvement. Angelina Ballerina (Alan Bailey/ Jimmy Quinn) looked unlucky last time at Newmarket and also has a chance, while the draw has not been kind to Little Scotland (Tim Easterby/ David Allan) and The Hermitage (Mark Johnston/ Joe Fanning); as a general rule, horses with a low number draw are at a big disadvantage over 5 furlongs here.

Some of the top jumps jockeys are in action at this evening´s Southwell meeting, and Richard Johnson, on Tim Vaughan´s Tigo, and Tony McCoy, on Jonjo O´Neill´s Charmahal, can fight out the finish to the handicap chase at 20.30. McCoy can also take the selling hurdle at 21.00 on Saif Sareea, who has not run for 19 months, but stands out on old form. In Ireland, there are huge fields at Punchestown´s N.H. meeting - 25 runners in each of the 5 hurdles races! The best race however is the 2 1/4 mile chase at 18.40, with only 7 runners; this can go to the youngest horse in the field, Jayo (Willie Mullins/ David Casey), an easy CD winner last time out.

Brighton, Cartmel (N.H.) and Lingfield (a.w.)

Once again, very modest sport at this afternoon´s 3 meetings. The best race is the 6 furlongs conditions event at 17.10 CET at Lingfield, which has attracted some pretty decent performers. The question mark here is Godolphin´s Mutheeb (Saeed bin Suroor/ Richard Hills), who is unbeaten in 2 starts but now facing much stronger opposition.

Strike the Deal (Jeremy Noseda/ Ryan Moore) has already proved his ability at this level and is best in at the weights, while Valery Borsov (David and Adrian Nicholls) won in amazing style last time at York. Matsunosuke (Barney Coogan/ Luke Morris) should not be judged on his recent turf form. He is an absolute all-weather specialist who could well run into a place at a big price. Brighton´s top race is the 3yo handicap also over 6 furlongs, at 15.40, which looks to lie between the 2 top-weights Safari Guide (Peter Winkworth/ Jim Crowley) and Fantastic Dubai (Mick Channon/ Sam Hitchcott), both of whom beaten in a photo-finish last time over 7 furlongs at Lingfield.

At Cartmel, the veterans´ chase over 3 3/4 miles at 17.00 looks very open with 15 runners. Stagecoach Diamond (Sue Smith/ Tjade Collier) has been runner-up 3 times running and deserves to get his head in front, but faces stern opposition from Irish-trained Balakar (James Lambe/ Robert Thornton) as well as Snowy (Peter Monteith/ Timmy Murphy), while Chabrimal Minster (Richard Ford/ Graham Lee) reserves his best form for this race, which he has won for the past 2 years; if he can complete the hat-trick, it would be the most popular result of the day.

Longchamp today

Main event at Longchamp today is a listed race for 3yo´s over 2400 metres at 15.20, and although there are only 6 runners, this could have quite a bearing on the Grand Prix de Paris. The Aga Khan runs Beheshtam (Alain de Royer-Dupré/ Christophe Soumillon) and this highly-rated colt looks the one to beat. There are German-trained runners in the two divisions of the mares handicap over 1800 metres. Tekoa (Horst Steinmetz/ Gerald Mossé) runs in the better division, the tierce´handicap at 13.50, while Alpe d´Huez (Werner Baltromei/ Dominique Boeuf) and Bee Keen (Dr. Bolte/ Stephane Pasquier) clash in the second division at 17.20.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Rymi - Lucky Millionaire - Last Storm
2. Race: Blind Shaft - Starlish - Kougouar
3. Race: Nienafing - Yushka - Wolverine
4. Race: Beheshtam - Acteur Celebre - Claremont
5. Race: Zaidpour - Byword - Warolino
6. Race: Canalside - Cherry Orchard - Peinture Texane
7. Race: Diamond Mask - Esmun - Hor Quercus
8. Race: Dana Spring - Cibicotti - Reve d`Ailleur

Hexham, Huntingdon and Tipperary

Easily the most interesting races of the day are the two flat races that kick off the mixed evening meeting at Tipperary, which could go to two runners from Aidan O´Brien´ s stable with Johnny Murtagh in the saddle. However both are likely to start at very short odds, so they are not necessarily good betting opportunities. Kingdom of Munster has a superb pedigree and is expected to get off to a winning start in the 2yo maiden at 19.25 CET, while Red River Canyon looks a near certainty in the 7 1 /2 furlongs maiden half an hour later. He has mainly been used as a pacemaker for the stable´s Group One stars such as Dylan Thomas and Duke Of Marmalade, but is running here on his own account and even though the distance is rather short, should have little trouble in outclassing this opposition. All the evening action in the U.K. is over jumps, and N. Irish trainer James Lambe has booked Tony McCoy for 3 rides at Hexham- Breeze Out in the maiden hurdle at 20.05, Kircassock Vic in th e novice chase at 20.35 and top-weight Stepchange in the handicap hurdle half an hour later. It will be disappointing if they don´t have at least one winner. At Huntingdon, ex-German group winner, Persian Storm (Gary and Jamie Moore) a huge flop over hurdles so far, tries again in the novice hurdle at 20.50 but will need to show massive improvement to trouble easy last-time-out CD winner Moment Present (Charlie Mann/ Noel Fehily).

Chepstow, Leicester and Redcar

Only very average sport on offer today, with flat racing this afternoon at Chepstow, Leicester and Redcar and jumping this evening at Hexham and Huntingdon, as well as a mixed meeting at Tipperary. No races are better than class 4, and the most interesting event is probably the 10 furlongs handicap for 3yo´s at 16.00 CET at Leicester. This looks wide open, with 4 last-time-out winners, of whom top-weight Larkham (Ralph Beckett/ Tom Queally) and Featherweight (Barry and Michael Hills) could be the best, but Brian Meehan´s Mehendi, an expensive flop last time, could be a big danger with Frankie Dettori aboard. The 5 furlongs handicap at Redcar at 16.40 is another open race; Pacific Pride (John Quinn/ Jamie Kyne) just held on to beat Babyshambles (Richard Barr/ Kelly Harrison) by a nose last time at Beverley, and there could be little in it again- even though the former is actually better off at the weights this time- but Kevin Ryan´s runners Rasaman (Annie Ryan) and Le Toreador (Willie Supple) are major threats. German-bred Salontiger (Philip Hobbs/ Vince Slattry) is an interesting runner in the 10 furlongs handicap at 16.50 at Chepstow. He has only run once in the last 2 years, and in Germany was best at sprint distances, but would not have to be at his best - judged on his old German form - to beat this opposition, most of whom have been running on the all-weather.

Jumps action today

There is N.H. racing this afternoon at Kelso and this evening at Sedgfield and Worcester. At the last-named track, German -bred Vacario (Charlie Mann/ Richard Johnson) has a good chance in the maiden hurdle at 19.20 CET, while the class 3 handicap chase at 21.20 looks quite open; front-runner Seymour Weld (Charlie and Adam Pogson) has won 5 of last 6 races, and will probably make a brave effort again, but he has a lot of weight and Le Duc (Paul Nicholls/ Ian Popham), winner of a hunter chase last time but previously a smart chaser, is preferred. The best race at Kelso is the 2 3/4 mile handicap hurdle at 17.4, where 5 of the 12 runners are last-time-out winners. Political Paddy (Richard Nixon( Graham Lee), Markington (Peter Bowen/ Tom O´Brien) and Fortunate Dave (Michal Smith/ Brian Hughes) are our 3 against the field. At Sedgefield, the novice hurdle at 21.30 looks interesting. Irish raider Magnum Force (C McBratney/ Denis O´Regan) beat a huge field at Down Royal last time, which is the best form in the field, but has to concede a stone to his 9 opponents, of whom Duty Free (Charlie Egerton/ Paddy Brennan) and Sir Liam (Tim Vaughan/ Seamus Durack) look the most dangerous. There is also a mixed meeting scheduled this evening for Sligo, but the track must first pass an inspection; if racing goes ahead, the ground will be very heavy.

Goodwood and Lingfield

The only flat racing in the U.K. today comes from Goodwood and Lingfield and easily the most interesting race is the listed Cocked Hat Stakes for 3yo´s over 11 furlongs at 16.25 CET at Goodwood. Previously known as the Predominate Stakes, this is the last recognised trial for the Derby, and several of the 6 runners still hold an entry for Epsom, notably the Queen´s Free Agent (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes), unbeaten in 2 starts, but not seen out since winning at Royal Ascot 11 months ago. He will probably need the race today, but must run well to justify his place in the Derby field. The main danger is Chock a Block (Saeed bin Suroor/ Frankie Dettori), who won his only start last season in good style at Longchamp and was afterwards sold to Godolphin. Alwaary (John Gosden/ Richard Hills), 4th in the Lingfield Derby Trial, and Sight Unseen (Henry Cecil/ Tom Queally), 4th in the Chester Vase, are also in with a chance. The next best race at Goodwood is the 2 mile handicap at 1 7.00, for which Kayf Aramis (Venetia Williams/ Jamie Spencer) is certain to start a warm favourite after his easy win at York last week. Much improved over hurdles -including a win at the Cheltenham festival - he still looks extremely well handicapped on the flat. The card at Lingfield, whr 3 races are run on the all-weather and 3 on turf, looks very pedestrian by comparison; the maiden race here over 1 1/2 miles at 15.00 has 12 runners, but should only concern Akmal (John Dunlop/ Tagd O´Shea) and Talimos (Ralph Beckett/ Richard Kingscote).

Chantilly today

Best race in France today is the listed mile event for 3yo fillies at 14.25 at Chantilly. Erika Mäder´s Fancy Diamond (Thierry Thulliez) is a German runner here, but she must step up a great deal on the form she has shown so far to have any chance in this company. The most likely winner would appear to be Russiana (Andre Fabre/ Olivier Peslier) in the Wertheimer colours. Fabre has his strong in good form and can also take the other race for 3yo fillies, a 2000 metres maiden at 16.10, with the well-bred Trojan Queen (Stephane Pasquier), a daughter of top-class Banks Hill, for Khaled Abdullah.
Betting forecast:
1. Race: Karmi - Liberty Chery - French Owl
2. Race: Russiana - Wadjeka - Parcelle Perdue
3. Race: Colonial - Lixirova - Crios
4. Race: Bluster - Planet Five - Voie De Printemps
5. Race: Trojan Queen - Happy Wedding - Belondine
6. Race: Monserrat - Singing Machine - Don Jo
7. Race: Antonov - Femtoseconde - Tumultueux
8. Race: Roi Dana - Punisher - Pouchou

Leicester, Towcester and Punchestown (?) this evening

The only flat racing this evening comes from Leicester, where the 6 furlongs handicap for 3yos at 19.40 CET should lie between last-time-out winners Devil You Know (David Elsworth/ Ryan Moore) and Rapid Water (Andrew Balding/ Liam Keniry), -out of the Group One sprinter Lochsong. Later, Steel Free (Michael Bell/ Jamie Spencer) should win the 3yo maiden at 21.10 after his excellent debut at Newbury. There is jumps racing this evening at Towcester and Punchestown, which has by far the better card, but the Irish meeting is under threat from the weather and must pass an inspection. Should racing go ahead, the chasing debut of ex-Champion Hurdler Sizing Europe at 19.20 is one of the main features of interest.

No such stars on view at Towcester, where the best race could be the maiden hurdle at 20.00. Bulwark (Ian Williams/ Michael Murphy) and Kahsabelle (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman) should have this race between them, but both have questions to answer: Kahsabelle unseated her rider last time, when still going well, while Bulwark, easily the best horse in the field on ability, has frequently disappointed, both on the flat and over hurdles.

Nottingham, Yarmouth and Musselburgh this afternoon

Tuesday is often the worst day of the week as far as quality racing is concerned, and today is no exception. Of the 20 races run this afternoon, only the class 4 fillies handicap over 10 furlongs at 17.00 CET is better than class 5. Top-weights Pollys Mark (Clive Cox/ Philip Robinson) and Onemix (Barry and Michael Hills) look the main contenders, but Act Green (Michael Bell/ Jamie Spencer) could be dangerous now the stable has come into form. At Yarmouth it is significant that Frankie Dettori makes the short journey from Newmarket for just one ride- Godolphin´s Izaaj on the 6 furlong 2yo maiden at 15.10. Clan Piper (John Gosden/ Jimmy Fortune) looks the main danger in the Princess Haya colours.

Also at Yarmouth, German-bred 8yo Grey Boy has a good each-way chance in the 7 furlongs handicap at 15.40. He usually runs well here and was not disgraced in a hot handicap at Ascot last time. At Musselburgh, the 5 furlongs race for maidens at 17.20 looks the most interesting race. On form, La Zamora (David Barron/ Phlllip Makin), placed on both career starts so far, and Mo Mhuirnin (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan), but once-raced and well-bred Fatal Attraction (Rae Guest/ Richard Mullen) could well improve past them both.

Aidan O´Brien at Hamilton

Stately Home (Aidan O´Brien/ Johnny Murtagh) is believed to be the first ever runner for the star Irish trainer at Hamilton when he contests this evening´s listed Glasgow Stakes for 3yo´s at 20.30 CET. He is still a possible for the Derby, in which O´Brien now holds a very strong hand, and should win this evening´s race, although Popmurphy (Karl Burke/ Jim Crowley) and Parthenon (Mark Johnston/ Greg Fairley) will provide stern opposition. There is also flat racing this evening at Newcastle and on the all-weather at Dundalk, and over jumps at Aintree and Cork (Ireland), with some large and very competitive fields.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Trinder - Corporal Maddox - Cambuslang
2. Race: Where`S Reiley - Agent Stone - All The Nines
3. Race: Stately Home - Parthenon - Emirates Champion
4. Race: Dubai Echo - Matraash - Black River Falls
5. Race: Cape Express - Ladies Best - Lady Jane Digby
6. Race: Rothesay Dancer - Rocketball - Silvanus

Newbury and Newmarket

There is also racing this afternoon at Newbury and Newmarket, with the former track featuring 2 listed races. The Carnarvon Stakes over 6 furlongs for 3yo´s at 15.20 CET could go to Sayif (Peter Chapple-Hyam,/ Alan Munro), who is best on ratings and expected to make a leading sprinter this year, but Triple Aspect (William Haggas/ Liam Jones) , unbeaten in 3 starts in 2008, and Awinnersgame (Jeremy Noseda/ William Buick), coming back in distance, look dangerous. The 10 furlongs race for 3yo fillies at 15.50 lies between the unbeaten Apple Charlotte (Henry Cecil/ Tom Queally), who won in good style at Ascot, and Mooakada (John Gosden/ Richard Hills). Best betting race at Newmarket is the 7 furlongs handicap for older horses at 16.35. Pravda Street (Paul Cole/ Darryll Holland) and Dingaan (Andrew Balding/ Liam Keniry) are our fancies here.

Yorkshire Cup today´s main feature

Today is the third and final day of York´s May meeting and the main feature is the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup over 1 3/4 miles at 15.40 CET. Although it is shorter than the other cup races to come, stamina is still a requirement and this is a question mark over the likely favourite Ask (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore), who races mainly at 10-12 furlongs. However his sixth place in the "Arc" maks him the clear form choice.

Geordieland (Jamie Osborne/ Shane Kelly) won this last year and was runner-up in the Ascot Gold Cup and is the obvious danger, but he is unpredictable and the improving Fiulin (Marco Botti/ John Egan) could be next best. There are also 2 listed races for fillies on the card - for 2yo´s at 14.40 and for 3yo´s over a mile at 16.10. This latter event has 2 runners who finished down the field in the 1,000 Guineas, Nashmiah (Clive Brittain/ Ryan Moore) -9th - and Seradim (Paul Cole/ Jimmy Fortune) -12th -and preference is for Godolphin´s Moonlif (Frankie Dettori), who looked smart last season. Brittain´s best chance is probably in the 2yo race with Misheer (Neil Callan), who created a very positive impression when winning first time out at Yarmouth.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Misheer - Leleyf - Eternal Instinct
2. Race: Warringah - Redesignation - Robby Bobby
3. Race: Ask - Veracity - Fiulin
4. Race: Moonlife - Nashmiah - Seradim
5. Race: Mattamia - Titus Andronicus - Sloop Johnb
6. Race: Harrison George - Excusez Moi - Roker Park
7. Race: Nawaadi - Gilded Age - Spartan Prince

4 fixtures this evening

Newmarket holds its first evening meeting of the year today, and there are some useful 3yo´s engaged in the mile race at 21.20 CET. The Queen´s Four Winds (Michael Bell/ Jamie Spencer), the unbeaten Bridge of Gold (Mikael Magnusson/ Steve Drowne) and On Our Way (Henry Cecil/ Tom Queally) all look listed class at least and the winner will have to be smart. There is also flat racing in Ireland, at Gowran Park, where Aidan O´Brien, whose stable is now in top form, can land 2 more winners with Mark Twain in the 2yo maiden at 18.30 and Coat of Arms over a mile at 21.05; Seamus Heffernan rides them both and also has a good chance of winning the 9 furlongs handicap at 20.00 with recent CD winner Kaitlins Joy. There is jumps racing at Folkestone (all hunter chases) and also Ludlow, where Jonjo O´Neill and Tony McCoy can combine to land a double with ex-German Sam Whiskey at 18.55 and Keepitsecret at 19.30.

Salisbury and Perth (N.H.) this afternoon

There is also racing this afternoon at Salisbury and Perth. Best race at the former track is the 10 furlongs handicap for 3yo fillies at 15.50 CET. With 13 runners, this looks wide open; Coming Back (John Gosden/ Robert Havlin), Rosika (Sir Michael Stoute/ Louis-Philippe Beuzelin) and Ballet Dancer (Michael Jarvis/ Philip Robinson) have all won their only start this year and are the three on which to concentrate. At Perth, Irish trainer Gordon Elliott will be hoping for better luck than yesterday, when he had fancied runners on 5 races, but only one winner. This time he has runners in 6 of the 7 races, and Present Gesture at 15.30, Lord Lansdown at 16.00 and Eddie Dowling at 16.35, all partnered by Jason Maguire, as well as Kells Castle (Brian Hughes) at 17.45 all seem to hold good chances.

Dante Stakes at York

York´s Dante Stakes, run today at 15.40 CET, is usually the most informative British trial for the Epsom Derby and today´s edition should be no exception, as the field looks very strong. Every winner of this race since 1995 has run in the Derby, and 5 of them have won, 3 in the last 5 years. All eyes will be on Crowded House (Brian Meehan/ Jamie Spencer), such an impressive winner last October of the Racing Post Trophy and currently quoted third favourite for Epsom. He has to win today to maintain that position in the market, but the vibes from the stable are strong and he certainly looks the best British hope to see off the strong Irish challenge in the Derby. The unbeaten pair Redwood (Barry anmd Michael Hills) and Nehaam (John Gosden/ Richard Hills), Godolphin´s Kite Wood (Frankie Dettori) and especially Aidan O´Brien´s Freemantle (Johnny Murtagh) can make life difficult for him this afternoon, but whoever wins this race is certainly a major candidate for Epsom. The other big race at York today is the Group 3 Middleton Stakes for fillies and mares over 10 furlongs at 15.10. There are only 5 runners, but they include 2 smart performers, Crystal Capella (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore), winner of her last 5 races, and Dar Re Mi (John Gosden/ Dettori), who ran several excellent races last year, including a second place to Zarkava in the Prix Vermeille. She receives 4 lbs from the Stoute filly, which should swing things her way.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Strike Up The Band - Cheveton - Everymanforhimself
2. Race: Dar Re Mi - Crystal Capella - Changing Skies
3. Race: Crowded House - Freemantle - Kite Wood
4. Race: Yamal - Wasan - Extraterrestrial
5. Race: Waffle - Thunderous Mood - Rievaulx World
6. Race: Beethoven - Fine Sight - Original Dancer
7. Race: Kayf Aramis - Sonny Sam - Dayia

York May meeting: day one

Today´s racing at York is the first since the course had to be closed last summer because of flooding and drainage problems. The May meeting here is always one of the best of the year and features the Group Two Duke of York Stakes over 6 furlongs at 16.10 CET and the Musidora Stakes (Group 3 for 3yo fillies)at 15.40. The latter event is an important Oaks trial and three of the 6 runners figure prominently in the betting on the Epsom classic. They are the Queen´s Enticement (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore), unbeaten in 2 starts last year, High Heeled (Barry and Michael Hills), who ran in strongly to win at Newbury last time, and Sariska (Michael Belle/ Jamie Spencer), fourth over an inadequate trip in the Fred Darling Stakes. It is difficut to choose between them, but Enticement´s 2008 form has worked out well and she just gets the vote.

There are 16 runners in the Duke of York, including Tax Free (David and Adrian Nicholls) and Equiano (Barry and Michal Hills), who fought out the finish of a similar race at Newmarket last time, and they should be involved again. With the Godolphin runners still struggling, we shall overlook Frankie Dettori´ s mount Hatta Fort, whil Arganil (Kevin Ryan/ Neil Callan) is up in class after winning his last 4 races in good style, all on the all-weather. An interesting outsider is Intrepid Jack (Hughie Morrison/ George Baker), well beaten his last starts but far from disgraced when fourth in last year´s Goldene Peeitsche at Baden-Baden.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Meethaaq - Rose Street - Stone Of Scone
2. Race: Enact - Photographic - Tartan Gunna
3. Race: Sariska - Enticement - High Heeled
4. Race: Equiano - Tax Free - Utmost Respect
5. Race: Serious Impact - Wellington Square - King Fingal
6. Race: Ventura Cove - Paradise Dream - Starburst Excel
7. Race: Muraweg - Bin End - Topolski

Jumping at Exeter and Fontwell this afternoon, Perth this evening.

Lindy Lou (Alan Fleming/ Tony McCoy) can get favourite backers off to a good start at Exeter this afternoon in the mares novice hurdle at 15.20 CET and German-bred Passato (Jo Davis/ Danny Burton), an easy CD winner last week can follow up in the novices handicap hurdle half an hour later. Gary Moore and his son Jamie are usually the team to follow at Fontwell, and they can land a double with Cavallini, who fell at the first here last time after being heavily backed, in the beginners chase at 15.30, and Stance, a runner-up this CD last time, in the selling hurdle at 16.00. Irish trainer Gordon Elliott is always dangerous with his raids on Scottish tracks, and he has runners in 5 races at this evening´s meeting at Perth. Opatja at 19.30 and Wikaala half an hour later, both with Jason Maguire in the saddle, probably have the best chances.

Bath and Naas this evening

Easily the best flat racing this evening coms from Naas, where the main feature is the Group 3 Blue Wind Stakes for fillies and mares at 20.20 CET. Chinese White (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen) is top-rated here after finishing 4th in the 2008 Irish Oaks, and she can score at the main expense of British raider Les Fazzani (Kevin Ryan/ Declan McDonogh) and the John Oxx pair Beauty O´Gwuan (Mick Kinane) and Timabiyra (Fran Berry). Aidan O´ Brien´s hope Tamarind (Johnny Muirtagh) needs to improve to figure here, but otherwise the Ballydoyle trainer can enjoy a successful evening. Steinbeck, rumoured be one of his best 2yo´s, runs in the 6 furlongs race at 19.20 and Lillie Langtry at 18.50 and Johann Zoffany at 20.50 are other maidens with winning chances. The card at Bath is less exciting. Terminate, a son of Acatenango, has been runner-up 3 times already this year. including this CD last time, but can get his head in front in the 1 1/2 mile handicap at 19.10. If he does run well, t hat would be a pointer to the chances of Pelham Crescent, his conqueror last time, who runs in the 10 furlongs handicap at 20.40.

German runners in France today

Big race in France today is the Group Two Prix Greffulhe for 3yo´s over 2000 metres at 15.20 at Saint-Cloud. This always an important Derby trial and Andre Fabre holds a strong hand here with the unbeaten Cutlass Bay (Frankie Dettori) as well as Cavalryman (Johan Victoire), both owned by Sheikh Mohammed. Cutlass Bay´s two wins so far came in very minor races, but the fact that Frankie is flying over is obviously significant. Topclas (Patrick Demercastel/ Stephane Pasquier) has the highest rating in the field, but Allybar (Carlos Laffon-Parias/ Olivier Peslier) could be a greater threat. Also at Saint-Cloud, Le Miracle (Werner Baltromei/ Gerald Mosse) runs in the 3100 metres race at 16.20; in anywhere near top form, he would win this, but the very soft ground in not in his favour. Baltromei also saddles Sumatra Tiger (Frederic Spanu) in the claiming race over 2100 metres at 16.50. There is also PMU racing from Strasbourg, with the usual huge number of German-trained entries - 23 in total, although there may be some non-runners. In our opinion, 13yo Standby Dancer and Alvarado, both trained by Dr.Bolte and partnered by Jiri Palik, have good chances at 15.05 and 15.35 respectively, as well as Zolinas (Wolfgang Gülcher/ Eric Wehrel) in the 2100 metres handicap at 16.05 and Wellango (Hans Blume/ Henk Grewe) in the second division at 17.05. Standby Dancer´s prospects would be improved by further rain, as would also be the chances of Nardello (Karl Thomas/ Jan Korpas) in the hurdle race at 16.35.

Lingfield (a.w.), Newton Abbot (H.H.) and Killarney (Ireland) this evening

Some quite interesting handicaps at Lingfield this evening, and Jeremy Noseda has good chances of winning two of them with the lightly-raced The Galloping Shoe (Seb Sanders) under top-weight at 19.50 CET, and Lemon n Sugar (Shane Kelly) in the fillies´ event half an hour later. The race over 1 mile 5 furlongs at 20.50 ses the two top-weights Manshoor (Lucy Wadham/ William Buick) and Art Man (Gary and Ryan Moore) once again in opposition. Last time out here over 10 furlongs Manshoor won easily, but is now 4 lbs worse off, but he may be better suited by this longer trip and can win again. Over jumps at Newton Abbot, the novice chase over 2 miles at 20.00 looks between Conflictofinterest (Paul Ncholls/ Harry Skelton) and Shore Thing (Charlie Egerton/ Tony McCoy). Nicholls can also take the hunter chase an hour later with Ofarel d´Airy (Oliver Greenall); although he has to concede lumps of weight - this is a rare handicap - he is clearly the class horse in this field. In Ireland, there is a mixed meeting (3 N.H. races followed by 4 on the flat) at Killarney.

The novice chase over 2 3/4 miles at 19.40 has a large field, but the top-weights Aggies Lad (Tony Martin/ Robbie Power) and Peplum (Edward O´Grady/ Andrew McNamara) can dominate; both won last time out, and Aggies Lad holds Peplum on that form. On the flat, German-bred Audrey is an interesting runner in the 3yo maiden at 20.10. The grey daughter of Sholokhov disappointed on her seasonal debut, but showed some ability last year and could be sharp enough to score this time.

Beverly, Brighton and Warwick this afternoon

Three flat meetings this afternoon, but very little good quality racing. The 3yo mile handicap at 16.50 CET at Warwick is arguably the best race of the afternoon. Mirrored (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore), Mister Dee Bee (Barry and Michael Hills) and Maxwell Hawk (Peter Chapple-Hyam/ Alan Munro) have all won their only start in 2009 and look capable of further improvement; they should have the race between them. Stoute and Moore also have a chance in the maiden race half an hour later witheStandpoint, twice runner-up, but in theory Brian Meehan´s Roman Glory (Jamie Spencer) can hardly lose this; he finished last season by running 6th of 15 to stable companion Crowned House in the Group One Racing Post Trophy.

At Beverley, trainer Richard Fahy and jockjey Paul Hanagan look the team to follow; they can win the 3yo maiden at 15.30 with Dr. Jameson, who looks overdue for a win, and the 3yo handicap at 17.00 with top-weight High Office, and although this is a very open event, also have good prospects in the mile handicap at 16.30 with Handsome Falcon. There are a couple of well-bred newcomers in the 6 furlongs maiden that opens Brighton´s card at 15.10, but on public form Celestial Dream (Andrew Balding/ William Buick), who showed promise on both starts last year, must be the choice. The seller at 16.10 looks between Spit and Polish (John Dunlop/Jimmy Quinn) and Bromhead (Brian Meehan/ Seb Sanders), who have both been racing on the all-weather.

Redcar, Wolverhampton (a.w.) and Yarmouth this afternoon

A typical Monday afternoon with mainly poor racing and, especially at Yarmouth, some very small fields. Only 4 run in the 1 1/2 mile handicap at 18.00 CET, where Luca Cumani´s Falcativ (Dane O´Neill) stands out, and only 6 in the mile handicap an hour earlier, in which Tartan Gigha (Mark Johnston/ Jo Fanning) looks the safest option. There are 12 runners in the maiden race at 16.30, but Ithbaat is likely to be the hottest favourite of the day here, especially in view of the fantastic form of owner Hamdan al Maktoum, trainer John Gosden and jockey Richard Hills. Small fields also at Redcar, where 4 are entered in the fillies handicap over 7 furlongs at 16.50, with the consistent Leftonthshelf (Jon Spearing/ Adrian Nicholls) and Strawberry Moon (Brian Smart/ Tom Eaves) can fight out the finish, even though they are neboth seasonal debutants. The 3yo handicap over 9 furlongs at 17.50 has 5 runners, and top-weight Postman (Smart/ Eaves) can complete a hat-trick here, at the main expense of Tarzan (Mark Johnston/ Greg Fairley). The 5 furlongs claiming race at 16.10 could be the best race on a poor card at Wolverhampton. Harry Up (Kevin Ryan/ Neil Callan) and Desperate Dan (Tony Haynes/ Tom Queally) are absolute specialists here, and both have won 4 times over this CD already this year. Last time they met, Harry Up, who likes to make the running, came out on top by 1 3/4 lengths, and although he is slightly worse off at the weights now, he can repeat the dose today.

Killarney, Windsor and Towcester (N.H.) this evening

There is a mixed card (4 N.H. races, 2 flat and one bumper) at Killarney this evening, where the track has come in for heavy criticism following several falls and injuries and six horses put down at the weekend. One of the fallers was champion Ruby Walsh, and it is not clear if he will be able to ride today. If he is, he can win the hurdle race at 19.10 CET on Apt Approach and the beginners chase at 20.10 on Sports Line, both for trainer Willie Mullins. Tony McCoy has been booked by Northern Irish trainer James Lambe for 5 rides at Towcester; Hunting Tower at 20.30 and Balakar (despite his 13 years!) half an hour later probably have the best chances, but in the selling hurdle at 20.00 he is unlikely to be able to defeat the reliable Noticeable (Tony Haynes/ Robert Thornton). Easily the best event of the day is the listed race over a mile at 19.50 at Windsor. Abbondanza (Ian Semple/ Robert Winston) is on a roll and won his last 3 races, all on the all-weather at Lingfield, but faces much stronger opposition now.

Dijeer (Saeed bin Suroor/ Frankie Dettori) would have a chance at his best, but the Godolphin horses are still not firing properly. The two highest-rated runners are Ordnance Row (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) and Laa Rayb (Mark Johnston/ Roystin Ffrench) and they can probably fight out the finish.Ordnance Row won this race last year, ran well on Saturday and last season defeated Laa Raybn, but we still prefer the latter, who ran a cracking race at Cologne last Septmber when second to Precious Boy.

Classics at Longchamp

The Poule d´Essai des Poulains at 15.25 and the Poule d´Essai des Pouliches at 16.00 at Longchamp today are the French equivalent of the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas respectively and both have attracted a strong international field. 3 of the 11 runners in the colts race are trained in Ireland and Vocalised (Jim Bolger/ Kevin Manning) has already won 3 times this season, while Aidan O´Brien saddles Westphalia (Johnny Murtagh) and Born to be King (Jamie Spenser). Naqoos (Freddie Head/ Davy Bonilla), despite his unexpected defeat first time out, looks the best of the locals, although Silver Frost (Yves de Nicolay/ Christophe Soumillon) has does nothing wrong so far this year. After Godolphin won yesterdays Italian Derby, the stable will also be hoping for a prominent showing by Shaweel (Frankie Dettori), but Frankie´s best chance is surely Fantasia (Luca Cumani) in the fillies´ race.

This one won the Nell Gwyn at Newmarket in most impressive fashion and is likely to start a very hot favourite today, and give her owner George Strawbridge some recompense for the defeat of Rainbow View in the British equivalent last week. The other big race at Longchamp is the Prix de St. Georges over 1000 metres at 16.35, where Marchand d´Or (Head/ Bonilla) must make amends for his poor showing in Hong Kong and Dubai. German hope Mood Music (Mario Hofer/ Maxime Guyon) is very speedy, but still likely to be outclassed in this company.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Hyawatha - Zarkamar - Santo Thomas
2. Race: Landskia - Shediyama - Qertaas
3. Race: Dam d`Augy - A La Vida - Magic Box
4. Race: Naaqoos - Le Havre - Westphalia
5. Race: Fantasia - Elusive Wave - Proportional
6. Race: Tayseer - Marchand D`Or - Mood Music
7. Race: Green Pride - Lumiere De Boitron - Punisher
8. Race: Ardbeg - Fair Attitude - Nice Applause
9. Race: Zitenly - Flashmob - Icy Major

Classic trials at Leopardstown

Two highly significant classic trials today are the main features at Leopardstown, and the Derby Trial at 16.55 CET in particular could well have a big effect on the betting market for Epsom. There are 7 runners here, 3 trained by Aidan O´Brien and 2 by John Oxx, and they could well dominate the finish. The 3 principals Fame and Glory (O´Brien/ Seamus Heffernan), Fergus McIver (Jim Bolger, Dclan Moran) and Mourayan (Oxx/ Mick Kinane) all ran in the Ballysax over this CD 3 weeks ago, finishing in that order.

Fame and Glory, regarded in most quarters as O´Brien´s main Derby hope, won in good style then, and meets the others on slightly better terms now, but there are certainly grounds for expecting Mourayan to finish much closer this time. He did not get the run of the race then and is also seen as a major Derby prospect. The 1000 Guineas trial at 17.25 has 8 runners, but many of them appear to be their stable´s second strings. The exception could be Firey Red (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen), who was unluckily beaten on her seasonal debut at the Curragh by Oh Goodness Me (runs today in the French Guineas) and could go one better now.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Emperor Claudius - Love Lockdown - Lisselan Princess
2. Race: Yankee Doodle - Francisco Goya - Dixie Music
3. Race: Arc Bleu - Shaimaa - Ghimaar
4. Race: Fame And Glory - Mourayan - Fergus Mciver
5. Race: Firey Red - Aaroness - Smart Coco
6. Race: Award Ceremony - Monteriggioni - Rockazar
7. Race: Mad About You - Three Rocks - Red Rock Canyon

N.H. racing today

There is no flat racing in the U.K. today, but jumps racing at Plumpton, Southwell and Uttoxeter, all at a relatively low level. Main interest at Southwell will be in the chasing debut of smart staying hurdler Hills of Aran (Keith Goldsworthy/ Rhys Flint), who runs in the opening beginners chase over 3 miles at 15.20 CET. At Uttoxeter, Factotum (Jonjo O´Nell/Tony McCoy), beaten in his first two starts over hurdles, can finally get his head in front in the novice hurdle at 15.00, and the same goes for Wade Farm Billy (Gary and Jamie Moore) in the maiden hurdle at 15.40 at Plumpton. There is also N.H. racing at Killarney in Ireland, where the top team of Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh can take the main event, a 2 1/2 mile chase at 17.05 with Snowy Morning, who has been running in much better company. Ex-German Dr Spieler has a good chance in the maiden hurdle here at 15.35, although there is as usual a huge field.

Listed races at Haydock and Nottingham

Haydock stages a strong mixed card this afternoon, with the first 3 races well-contested N.H. events, followed by 5 flat races. The 3 jumps races are basically the last decent races of the spring for N.H. performers and the Swinton Hurdle at 14.55, a valuable handicap over 2 miles, has attracted 24 runners. First Point (Nicky Henderson/ Richard Killoran), one of 3 German-breds in the field, Pterodactyl (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman),moving up in class after 2 easy wins, and Ellerslie Tom (Alison Thorpe/ Daryl Jacob), third here a year ago and now running off a lower rating, are our three for the short list.

Later, ther is a losted race over 7 furlongs at 16.05. The interesting on here is the only 3yo in the field, Godolphin´s City Style (Ted Durcan), a winner twice in the USA last year and twice at Nad al Sheba during the Dubai Carnival. That form would be good enough, but with the Godolphin horss not yet really firing in the UK, we prefer ex-French Garnica (David Nicholls/ Silvestre de Sousa) and Ordnance Row (Richard Hannon/ Tony Culhane). There is also a listed race at Nottingham over 6 furlongs for fillies and mares at 16.30. Here again the lone 3yo is of interest - Tim Easterby´s Favourite Girl (David Allan), while the more exprienced Lesson in Humility (Karl Burke/ Andrew Elliott) and Look Busy (Alan Berry/ Slade O´Hara) are the two top-rated in the race but also have the most weight. There is also racing at Hexham (N.H.), Dundalk (all-weather) and this evening at Warwick and Thirsk, but no real highlights at any of them.

Victoria Cup at Ascot

The Victoria Cup over the straight 7 furlongs at Ascot, run today at 15.15 CET, is one of the biggest betting races of the year and with 29 runners this edition is no exception. This looks wide open and with the effect of the draw unclear (if any), it looks very tricky. Best backed horse is Sir Mark Prescott´s Prescription (Seb Sanders), but our 3 against the field are Mr. Macattack (Nicky Vaughan/ Franny Norton), an easy winner twice on the all-weather, Evens and Odds (David and Adrian Nicholls), who scored in good style at Newmarket a week ago and penalised only 6 lbs, and Giganticus (Barry and Patrick Hills), who usually runs well at this track. The listed race at 14.05 which starts off the card looks booked for Duncan (John Gosden/ Jimmy Fortune), who beat a huge field at Epsom last time, although Zaham (Mark Johnston/ Tadg O´Shea) could be a danger if back to his best after a 13 month break. Jockey Jimmy Fortune must not only try to reach the winning post as fast as pos sible on Duncan, he also has to dash off afterwards to Lingfield, where he rides in the classic trials.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Duncan - Zaham - Steele Tango
2. Race: Supaverdi - Secret Night - Feeling Fab
3. Race: Prescription - Evens And Odds - Zaahid
4. Race: Monsieur Joe - Little Perisher - Master Of Dance
5. Race: Casual Garcia - Swingkeel - Judgethemoment
6. Race: Seamus Shindig - Obe Gold - Masai Moon

Classic trials at Lingfield

Lingfield stages its most important turf meeting of the year today, with the two classic trials the main events. Both races have frequently thrown up Oaks and Derby winners and/or placed horses, and the supposed similarity to Epsom means that many leading trainers like to try out their Epsom hopes here. The listed Oaks trial at 15.40 CET has 9 fillies entered and looks very open. On this season´s form Midday (Henry Cecil/ Tom Queally), runner-up to the smart Debussy at the Epsom spring meeting, is the choice, but three fillies who each ran once and won last year look very dangerous: Anice Stellato (Ralph Beckett/ Pat Smullen), Floodlit (John Gosden/ Jimmy Fortune) and July Jasmine (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore). The Derby Trial at 16.15 looks more straightforward. Irish raider Age of Aquarius is the clear pick, and trainer Aidan O´Brien is now coming into top form.

The same cannot be said of his jockey Johnny Murtagh, who has endured a miserable week, but it will still be a surprise of he does not bring this one home the winner. A jockey really flying at present is Richard Hills, and he could provide the main danger aboard John Gosden´s Alwaary, although Cecil´s Father Time (Queally) could also take a hand in the finish. Richard Hills also has a chance on William Haggas´ Damaniyat Girl in the Group 3 Chartwell Seakes for fillies at 16.45; she was second to the top class Fantasia at Newmarket last time, but Chantilly Tiffany (Ed Dunlop /Fortune), a winner twice in Germany last year and penalised as a result, and French hope Chasing Stars (Criquette Head/ Stephane Pasquier) are big dangers.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Laudatory - Seek The Fair Land - Silent Hero
2. Race: Midday - Tottie - Sanvean
3. Race: Age Of Aquarius - Father Time - Alwaary
4. Race: Chantilly Tiffany - Damaniyat Girl - Chasing Stars
5. Race: Signaller - Highland Glen - Buckie Boy
6. Race: Unnefer - Khateeb - Halicarnassus
7. Race: Shaded Edge - Wing Play - Ryedale Ovation

German runners in France today

Main event in France today is the Prix de Guiche at 15.25 at Chantilly for 3yo colts over 1800 metres. This looks quite open, but the Aga Khan´s Sadiri (Alain de Royer-Dupre/ Christophe Soumillon) and the Wildenstein´s Vesuve (Elie Lellouche/ Antony Crastus) probably have the best chances. There are no German runners in this race, but several on the undercard here. The smart handicapper Zadounevees (Waldemar Himmel( Dominique Boeuf) lines up under top-weight in the tierce handicap over 3000 metres at 13.50, together with Asterio (Norbert Sauer/ Henk Grewe). Sauer and Grewe also team up with Event Dash in the 3yo claimer over 1800 metres at 17.00. Nanigata (Werner Baltromei/ Boeuf) runs in the race for mares at 14.25 over 1900 metres, while Song of Tiger (Baltromei/ Fertillet) and Kalawa (Himmel/ Oliver Schnackenberg) run in the mile claiming race for gentleman riders at 16.25.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Zadounevees - Hekatompylos - Mont Joux
2. Race: Class Attraction - Audaz - Zina Blue
3. Race: Jakonda - Eclair De Lune - Riverbank
4. Race: Glamstar - Strike Ballot - Vesuve
5. Race: Article Royal - Spirit Of The King - Almail
6. Race: Rumba Blue - Lasos - Kalawa
7. Race: Here Comes Alfred - Event Dash - No Telling
8. Race: Slipshod - Toninho - Fulgence

Rest of U.K. and Ireland

There is plenty more racing in the U.K. and Ireland today, but little of importance. It could be significant that several top jockeys are riding this afternoon at Nottingham, and Ryan Moore can win the mile race for 3yo fillies at 17.10 CET on Sir Michael Stoute´s promising Barynya. At Lingfield, the first 2 races are on the all-weather, the remaining 5 on turf, including the 5 furlongs handicap at 16.10; Lochstar (Andrew Balding/ Liam Keniry) has so far not lived up to his illustrious pedigree, but he can win this at the main expense of consistent Our Piccadilly and Even Bolder. This evening there is flat racing at Hamilton and Ripon, as well as a decent jumping card at Aintree. There is also Irish racing this evening at Downpatrick (N.H.) and Wexford (flat) with the usual huge fields. Ruby Walsh rode at two British meetings yesterday; this evening he is at Downpatrick and can win the mares hurdle at 19.05 with Willie Mullin´s Compelled, while his father Ted and sister Kati e can team up to take the Hunters Chase at 21.05 with Battlefront.

Chester: Final day

The third and final day of the Chester May meeting features two Group 3 races, the Dee Stakes for 3yo´s over 10 furlongs at 15.15 CET and the Ormonde Stakes for older horses over 1 mile 5 furlongs at 15.40. It would come as no great surprise to see Aidan O´Brien and Johnny Murtagh win both races; the stable is now in top form and has already won two group races at the meeting (in one case with the wrong one!) . In the Dee Stakes their representative Drumbeat needs to step up on his last form in the U.K.. but this seems highly likely; the Queen´s hope Free Agent is a non-runner, so Big Bound (John Gosden/ Jimmy Fortune) and Libel Law (Michael Jarvis/ Frankie Dettori) look the main dangers.

The Ballydoyle runner in the Ormonde Stakes is the German-bred Frozen Fire; he was undoubtedly lucky to win last year´s Irish Derby, but even so, that form should be good enough. Enroller (Willie Muir/ Martin Dwyer) and Buccellatti (Andrew Balding/ William Buick) can follow him home. With Hamdan al Maktoum enjoying a tremendous run of success, it can be expected that his two runners in the 3yo maiden fillies race at 17.00, Balaagha (Michael Jarvis/ Richard Hills) and Massilah (Barry and Michael Hills) can take the first two places.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Mister Hardy - Celtic Sultan - Noble Citizen
2. Race: Drumbeat - Big Bound - Gitano Hernando
3. Race: Frozen Fire - Buccellati - All The Aces
4. Race: Green Beret - City Dancer - Noble Storm
5. Race: Balaagha - Massilah - Miss Tango Hotel
6. Race: Empowered - Red Merlin - Aphrodisia

Wetherby, Wincanton, Windsor and Clonmel this evening

Some of the jumps jockeys riding this afternoon at Newton Abbot make their way to Wincanton for the evening fixture there, and Ruby Walsh could be back on the winning track with Paul Nicholls´ pair Alfreds Tower at 19.40 CET and Art Trend at 20.15. There could well be som German-bred winners at this evenings jumps fixture at Wetherby: Nordwind is in excellent form and despite a double penalty can take the novice hurdle at 18.50, whil Moon Melody and Twist Bookie have chances at 19.55 and 20.25 respectively. At Windsor, very consistent Micks Dancer (Willi Muir/ Daragh O´Donohoe) should run well off bottom-weight in the 10 furlongs handicap at 21.30, and there is also a mixed meeting (3 flat races, 4 over jumps) from Clonmel in Ireland, with the usual large fields.

Goodwood and Newton Abbot (N.H.) this afternoon

There is also racing this afternoon from Goodwood and Newton Abbot, and the most interesting event could be the class 2 race for 2yo´s at 15.20 CET at Goodwood, although there are only 4 runners. One of them is Star Rover (David and Richard Evans), who won the Lily Agnes at Chester only yesterday That was his 4th win, making him easily the most successful 2yo so far of 2009 and a repetition of yesterday´s form should see him capable
of conceding the weight to Grand Zafeen (Mick Channon/ Tony Culhane) and Desert Auction (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes), both last-time-out winners, but at a much lower level. Some of the top N.H. jockeys are in action at Newton Abbot, and Ruby Walsh can win two races for Paul Nicholls - the maiden hurdle at 16.05 with Quell the Storm - has German-bred Vacario to beat - and the handicap hurdle at 17.20 with Classic Swain. The latter event is quite hot, and German-bred Stellino (Nicky Henderson/ Tony McCoy) and French Saulauie (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson) are just 2 of several dangers.

Chester: Vase and Huxley Stakes

The Chester Vase over 1 1/2 miles for 3yo´s at 15.45 CET is the main event at Chester today, the meeting´s second day, and in the past has often been a good Derby Guide (remember Shergar?!) If there is a Derby winner in the field, it can surely only be either Debussy (John Gosden/ Jimmy Fortune), supplemented for Epsom after winning over the course last month, or Masterofthehorse (Aidan O´Brien/ Johnny Murtagh), clearly the better of the 2 Ballydoyle runners and one of the stable´s main hopes for Epsom. With the O´Brien stable now coming into top form, he is preferred today. The Vase was won last year by Doctor Fremantle, subsequently fourth in the Derby, and he now now runs in the Huxley Stakes for older horses at 15.15, also a Group 3, but run ovr 10 furlongs. Doctor Fremantle (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore) stands out on ratings, but John Gosden´s Expresso Star (Jimmy Fortune) could be a big threat; he has won his last 4 races and particularly impressive when winning the Lincoln last time. He is moving up in class and distance, but this is not expected to be a problem.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Fanjura - Kingdom Of Fife - Mull Of Dubai
2. Race: Doctor Fremantle - Expresso Star - Staying On
3. Race: Masterofthehorse - Debussy - Above Average
4. Race: Resort - Tartan Gunna - Imco Spirit
5. Race: Swilly Ferry - Ramamara - Bebenine
6. Race: Aakef - Lucky Numbers - Parisian Pyramid

Jumps racing this evening

Cheltenham stages an all-hunter chase meeting this evening, while there is also N.H. racing at Huntingdon and a mixed meeting (4 flat races, 2 over jumps and a bumper) at Gowran Park in Ireland. The best race at Cheltenham is the 3 1/4 mile event at 19.10 CET, in which Trust Fund (Richard Barber/ Tom Greenall) can follow up his Aintree victory in this grade; obviously Take the Stand (Peter Bowen/ Devereux) would be dangerous at his best, as he was placed in the Gold Cup here, but he appears to have lost form. At Huntingfon Segal (Andrew Hales/ Paul Moloney), much improved when winning last week at Hereford, can follow up in the handicap hurdle at 20.05. At Gowran Park, trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Ruby Walsh, recently crowned Irish N.H, champions for the 2008-9 season, can continue their winning ways with Cranky Corner in the maiden hurdle at 20.30.

Bath and Kelso (N.H.)

There is also racing this afternoon at Bath and Kelso in Scotland. While Bath is not quite as tight as Chester, it is still a tricky track and course specialists have a big advantage. For this reason we expect oldtimer Siena Star (Stef Liddiard/ Micky Fenton) to run well in the 10 furlongs handicap at 16.45 CET, as he has shown good form here. The ex-Germans Artreju and Tyrana are now on very lenient marks and could run into the places; both finished 4th on the all-weather last time out. Another 11yo Nawamees (David and Richard Evans) has chances under top-weight in the 1 1/2 mile handicap at 17.20; German-bred Terminate (Ian Williams/ Tadg O´Shea) is also a possible for a place here. Another ex-German with prospects today is Solis (Peter Monteith/ Ryan Mania), who runs in the conditional jockeys novices handicap hurdle at 16.30 at Kelso; he has top-weight here, but the opposition is not strong and he showed his best form for a long time last time out. Ex-German Snake Charme r also has chances here in the main feature, a novice chase over 3 miles 1 furlong at 15.55, but at these weights Reel Charmer (Alistair Charlton/ Jan Faltjesek) is preferred.

Chester Cup

The popular Chester May meeting starts today, when the main feature, the Chester Cup, a handicap over 2 1/4 miles, will be run at 15.45 CET. This is always one of the best staying handicaps of the year and the owner of the winner not only receives a lot of money but also a delicious local cheese. With 17 runners this looks wide open, but as a general rule one should avoid backing horses drawn wide at this tight track, so we suggest the following short list: Som Tala (Mick Channon/ Darryll Holland, drawn 3), Tilt (Brian Ellison/ Ryan Moore, drawn 5) and Halla San (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan, drawn 7). The other big race at Chester today is the listed Cheshire Oaks for 3yo fillies at 15.15 in which Philippina (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore) attempts to make up for her disappointing performance last time at Newbury, where she failed to act on the soft ground.

Today´s going is much more suitable and the main danger comes from the two Irish fillies, with Roses for the Lady (John Oxx/ Mick Kinane) expected to confirm earlier form with Perfect Truth (Aidan O´Brien/ Johnny Murtagh). However Philippina fares, Stoute and Moore should not go home empty-handed as Harbinger can win the 3yo maiden at 17.35 after his excellent debut at Newmarket; Asateer (Barry and Richard Hills) can follow him home.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Archers Road - Star Rover - Mijas Playa
2. Race: Perfect Truth - Hidden Brief - Roses For The Lady
3. Race: Amerigo - Daraahem - Downhiller
4. Race: Sohraab - An Tadh - Good Gorsoon
5. Race: Jedi - Headline Act - Kings Destiny
6. Race: Harbinger - Asateer - Calypso Bay

N.H. racing at Fakenham and Exeter (evening)

Peter Bowen looks the trainer to follow this afternoon at Fakenham, where he can take the two top races, a 3 mile novice hurdle at 16.20 CET with Atlantic Coast (Seamus Durack) and the novice chase over the same trip half an hour later with No Panic, who is likely to start at long odds-on under Tony McCoy. Best betting race over jumps today is the 3 mile handicap hurdle at 19.50 at Exeter. 16 runners are due to line up, including course specialist Macmar (Sue Alner/ Keiran Burke), who won here by 14 lengths last time. However he has shot up the weights as a result, and is not certain to confirm the form with runner-up and top-weight Raslan (David Pipe/ Timmy Murphy), while Pipe´s other runner Laustra Bad (Tom Scudamore), a consistent type but infrequent winner, should again be placed.

Catterick (evening), Chepstow and Southwell (a.w.)

Only very moderate racing at today´s 3 flat meetings, but it could be significant that trainer Andrew Balding, currently in top form, sends just one runner to the all all-weather track at Southwell - Lady Brora (William Buick), who goes for the fillies handicap over a mile at 16.30 CET. Bookiebasherbabe (Mick Quinn/ Franny Norton), a CD winner last time, is the danger, but Lady Brora gets our vote.

Balding also sends 2 runners to Chepstow, and both Western Roots in the 10 furlongs claimer at 15.10 and Motor Home in the 3yo mile handicap at 17.10, both partnered by David Probert, should also figure prominently. There are some larg fields this evening at Catterick, and the 7 furlongs handicap at 20.05 looks very open. 9yo Hiccups (Michael Dods/ Phillip Makin) is not very consistent these days, but is a CD specialist and could run well. Two German-breeds have winning chances on the undercard - Raucous (Ruth Carr/ Andrew Elliott) can win his 3rd win from 4 starts in the claimer at 19.35, while Tusculum (Barney Curley/ Tom Queally) was once a German Derby hope for Gestüt Schlenderhan and contests the 2 mile handicap at 20.35 off a ludicrously low mark.

2 group races at Longchamp

Longchamp stages a good card today, featuring 2 group races, of which the Prix Hocquart at 15.20 is a recognised trial for the Prix du Jockey Club. German-bred Grandcamp (Jean-Claude Rouget/ Christophe Lemaire) is unbeaten in 3 starts in 2009, and made all to win narrowly last time, but he is not certain to confirm the form with Wajir (Elie Lellouche/ Antony Crastus), a close third then, while Claremont (Andr´e Fabre/ Maxime Guyon) may well beat the both of them. Half an hour later the Prix d´Hedouville for older horses over 1 1/2 miles features the return of Prince Flori (Sascha Smcrzek/ Henk Grewe), winner of the Grosser Preis von Baden in 2006. He can no longer be measured by that form, but still had a chance in this company. The field includes 2 more German-breds, Templstern and Timos, but the ones to beat are probably Magadan (Lellouche/ Crastus) and Andre Fabre´s pair Coastal Path (Stephane Pasquier) and Prospect Wells (Olivier Peslier).

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Zaubermann - Mesa Marauder - Royal Pennekamp
2. Race: Sirocco De Pame - Liddal - Magicom
3. Race: Siyouni - Yushka - Little Salsa
4. Race: Grandcamp - Guest Ville - Grandcamp
5. Race: Candy Gift - Coastal Path - Prince Flori
6. Race: Berouni - Ballistas - Premier Grand Cru
7. Race: Happy Wedding - Tu T`Laisses Aller - Atlas Silk
8. Race: Kendoroc - Tashan - Indian City

Irish racing today

By far the best racing today takes place at the Curragh, where there are 3 Group 3 races, and it by no means inconceivable that Dermot Weld and his stable jockey Pat Smullen can win all 3 of them. Their candidate in the Tetrarch Stakes for 2yos over 7 furlongs at 15.30 CET is Firey Red, who looked very unlucky when just touched off here last time, and now has Vocalised (Jim Bolger/ Kevin Manning), winner of the Greenham at Newbury last time, and possibly Aidan O´Brien´ s Chief Lone Eagle (Johnny Murtagh) to beat. Mad About You was just behind Firey Red then and had since easily won a similar race; she can continue the Weld stable run in the Athasi Stakes, also over 7 furlongs at 16.00, where the main opposition Maoinach (Manning) again comes from the Bolger yard. Finally Famous Name can complete the clean sweep in the 10 furlongs Woodbridge Strakes at 17.00; he had excellent form last season, including a second place in the Prix du Jockey Club and stands out in this company. The going is very heavy so no surprise if mud-lover Lady Deauville (Roger Curtis/ Wayne Lordan) comes out best of the 3 Brits, but on form the Aga Khan´s Kargali (John Oxx/ Mick Kinane) looks the main danger. There is also N.H. racing today at two Irish tracks, Down Royal and Limerick, with huge fields. Ruby Walsh can land a double in the two main events at the former track with Willie Mullins´ Persian City at 16.20 and Tony Martin´s Ross Accord half an hour later.

Bank Holiday Monday

Today is a bank holiday in the U.K. and Ireland, which means plenty of low-level racing this afternoon and no evening racing. Possibly the best race in the U.K. is the 3yo mile handicap at 16.55 CET at Windsor. The 12 runners include 7 seasonal debutants won their final race in 2008, several of whom can be expected to prove much better than this grade, notably Desert Creek (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore), Emirates Roadshow (Saeed bin Suroor/ Ahmed Ajtebi) and Hail Promenade (Barry and William Buick). The main events at Warwick and Newcastle are also handicaps for 3yo´s, which could go to Green Molly (Barry and Michael Hills) and Tiger Reigns (Michael Dods/ Phillip Makin) at 16.40 and 18.15 respectively. Beverley´s best race is the 10 furlongs handicap at 15.50; 13yo Will He Wish deserves to win this, having now been runner-up 4 times running, but Fujin Dancer (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan), who has not run on the flat since July but has been in good form over hurdles, is our selection. On the all-weather at Kempton the top race is again a 3yo mile handicap at 17.30 and the interesting one here is Jeremy Noseda´s Forgotten Voice (Shane Kelly), who made a good comeback after 18 months off the track to win over this CD last time out and can maintain his unbeaten record today.

Rest of U.K. and Ireland

The remaining fixtures today are of less interest, but Salisbury stages 2 class 2 handicaps, at 15.15 CET over 6 furlongs for 3yo´s ,and over 1 3/4 miles at 17.35. The former can go to Henry Candy´s Dark Mischief (Dane O´Neill); it is possibly significant that the trainer, who sent out a smart winning sprinter yesterday, sends his stable jockey to ride here instead of at Newmarket. Th latter event can be won by Rajeh (Jon Spearing/ Liam Jones), 3rd of 18 at Epsom last time to Hatton Flight, who runs in the first race at Newmarket and can give the form a boost. Woolfall Treasure (Gary Moore/ George Baker), fit from hurdling, is the danger. The racing at Hamilton Park in Scotland is very moderate, and the most interesting race is possibly the jump jockeys handicap at 16.00, in which top-weight Steig (George Baker/ Andrew Tinkler) has a clear each-way chance.

In Ireland, there are 6 runners in the Classic Trial over 1 1/2 miles at 16.40 at Gowran Park. Unlikely that any of them will go on to win a Derby, but Fergus McIver (Jim Bolger/ David Moran) did split two Derby possibles last time and can win this at the main expense of Seamus Heffernan´s mount Byzantine, whose trainer Aidan O´Brien has won this for the last 3 years. The listed race over 91/2 furlongs at 17.10 can go for the second time running to Chinese White (Dermot Weld/ Pat Shanahan), whose 4th place in the Irish Oaks is the best form on offer, but the Aga Khan´s Tanoura (John Oxx/ Mick Kinane) could be dangerous at the weights. The only jumps racing is at Sligo, but professional jockeys have a day off after the exertions of Punchestown, and all races are confined to amateurs and/or conditionals.

Gowran Park - betting forecast:
1. Race: Air Chief Marshal - Gypsy Rose - Purple Land
2. Race: Chorus Of Angels - Zorija Rose - Tis Mighty
3. Race: Viceroy Of India - Northern Rocked - Askfornothing
4. Race: Fergus Mciver - Byzantine - Silk Mascara
5. Race: Chinese White - Tanoura - She`S Our Mark
6. Race: Miss Keller - Wanna - Tamarind
7. Race: Maximo - Dawn Valentino - Second Glance

Rest of Newmarket

It´s Ladies Day at Newmarket, as, apart from the Guineas, the main supporting races are also restricted to fillies. It is unusual for Michael Stoute and Cheveley Park Stud to keep a 6yo mare in training, and their Heaven Sent (Ryan Moore) has an obvious chance of repeating her 2008 victory in the Group 3 race over 9 furlongs at 15.35 CET. Barshiba (David Elsworth/ Richard Hughes) finished behind her last year and will probably do so again. The listed race over 10 furlongs for 3yo fillies at 18.00 looks quite tricky. Natural Flair (Peter Chapple-Hyam/ Alan Munro) and Three Moons (Harry Dunlop/ Frankie Dettori) have both won maiden races very easily this spring, but now face better opposition, notably the Queen´s Golden Stream (Stoute/ Moore) and Take the Hint (Gosden/ Fortune), both seasonal debutants who looked promising last year. The handicaps here are always very open, but Hatton Flight (Andrew Balding/ William Buick) is very reliable and can complete a hat-trick in the 1 1/2 mile race at 15.00, while the 6 furlongs handicap at 16.50 has 21 runners; our the against the field are the top-weights Prohibit (Gosden/ Fortune), Oldjoesaid (Henry Candy/ Fergus Sweeney) and Carleton (Willie Musson/ Chris Catlin).

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Hatton Flight - Redesignation - Boz
2. Race: Heaven Sent - Changing Skies - Barshiba
3. Race: Rainbow View - Serious Attitude - Cuis Ghaire
4. Race: Shifting Star - Fullandby - Oldjoesaid
5. Race: Izaaj - Footstepsofspring - Radiohead
6. Race: Golden Stream - Take The Hint - Snoqualmie Girl
7. Race: Opinion Poll - Mutamaashi - Dubai Crest

One Thousand Guineas at Newmarket

By far the best race of the day is the One Thousand Guineas for 3yo fillies over a mile at 16.15 CET at Newmarket. 15 fillies have been declared. but while yesterday´s Two Thousand looked difficult, this race looks quite simple - barring unforeseen circumstances, Rainbow View (John Gosden/ Jimmy Fortune) should win. George Strawbridge´s filly won all her 4 starts in 2008 in the style of a really smart horse and has 7 lbs in hand on official ratings. The stable is in good form and she has reportedly trained on, so the lack of a recent race should be no disadvantage. Serious Attitude (Rae Guest/ Pat Smullen) was also unbeaten last season, including the Cheveley Park here, and looks clear second best. She should be ideally suited by the distance and the fast ground. Th 4 Irish colts ystrday all finishd in th first 5, but a similar rsult today looks unlikely. Best of their 5 runners is Cuis Ghaire (Jim Bolger/ Kevin Manning), who was bogged down on heavy ground last time but s hould find todays surface to her liking, and her trainer of course has an excellent record in the British classics. On this season´s form, Lahaleeb (Mick Channon/ Darryll Holland) and Super Sleuth (Brian Meehan/ Martin Dwyer), first and second in the Fred Darling, look best, but they will have to improve a lot to trouble Rainbow View, if she is anywhere near her 2008 form.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Hatton Flight - Redesignation - Boz
2. Race: Heaven Sent - Changing Skies - Barshiba
3. Race: Rainbow View - Serious Attitude - Cuis Ghaire
4. Race: Shifting Star - Fullandby - Oldjoesaid
5. Race: Izaaj - Footstepsofspring - Radiohead
6. Race: Golden Stream - Take The Hint - Snoqualmie Girl
7. Race: Opinion Poll - Mutamaashi - Dubai Crest

Rest of U.K. racing today

Outside of Newmarket, the best racing today comes from Goodwood, who stage their first meeting of 2009, featuring a listed race for fillies and mares over a mile at 15.55 CET. This is virtially a re-run of a race run on the all-weather at Kempton, where German-bred Born Tobouggie (Henry Cecil/ Jimmy Quinn) ran out an easy winner from Perfect Star (Clive Cox/ Ian Mongan) and Scuffle (Roger Charlton/ George Baker). If she can repeat this form on turf, Born Tobouggie can win again, although 3 lbs worse off with the placed horses. At Thirsk, the main event is the Thirsk Hunt Cup, a very tricky mile handicap at 17.15. Tim Easterby has two good chances here with Charlie Tipple (Willie Supple) and Medici Pearl (Duran Fentiman), while Flawed Genius (Kevin Ryan/ Neil Callan) is another for the short list. On the jumping front, Uttoxeter stages two quite valuable handicaps - a 2 1/2 mile hurdle race at 16.20 with 11 runners and a 3 mile handicap chase with 18 runners at 16.55. If Calg ary Bay(Henrietta Knight / Sam Thomas) gets the trip, he must have a good chance in the latter, while German-bred Backbord (Lucy Wadham/ Leighton Aspell) is dangerous off bottom-weight. Top-weights Mirage Dor and Prince Taime can dominate the hurdle race. There is also low-level racing this evening at Doncaster (flat) and Hexham (N.H.)

Goodwood - betting forecast:
1. Race: King Supreme - Mystery Star - Dear Maurice
2. Race: Born Tobouggie - Perfect Star - Scuffle
3. Race: Dazed And Amazed - Peter Island - Harbour Blues
4. Race: Di Stefano - Admin - Bob Goes Electric
5. Race: Devil To Pay - Heartsease - Breadstick
6. Race: Farncombe - Defector - Mabuya
7. Race: Steelcut - Princess Rose Anne - Little Pete

Rest of Newmarket

The remainder of today´s Newmarket card is also highly interesting, and the Jockey Club Stakes over 1 1/2 miles at 15.30 CET is always won by a smart performer (including Shirocco in 2006). As usual, there is a small field, and the finish should mainly concern Spanish Moon (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore), beaten a whisker in the Sheema Classic in Dubai, and Casual Conquest (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen), placed in both the English and Irish Derby last season. The Palace House Stakes over 5 furlongs at 16.45 is the first big early-season sprint and sees 16 runners line up, but only a few of genuine group race class. Overdose, were he running, would probably slaughter this field. As it is, the consistent Borderlescott (Robin Bastiman/ Pat Cosgrave) looks the one to beat. Dandy Man (Saeed bin Suroor/ Frankie Dettori) was well behind him in the Abbaye last October, but on this fast ground could well finish much closer, while 3yo Amour Propre (Henry Candy/ Dane O´Neill), whos trainer has a good record with sprinters, finished last year with 3 wins and could be a star in the making. The listed race for 3yo´s over 10 furlongs at 17.55 is often a good guide to the future, and Sopranist (John Gosden/ Jimmy Fortune) impressed a great deal when making all to win this CD on his debut at the Craven meeting. We shall know by now if the Godolphin horses are in form -if so, Frankie Dettori´ s mount Spring of Fame would be the obvious danger.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Foolin Myself - Confront - Flipando
2. Race: Spanish Moon - Casual Conquest - Bronze Cannon
3. Race: Rip Van Winkle - Delegator - Mastercraftsman
4. Race: Borderlescott - Amour Propre - Chief Editor
5. Race: Infiraad - Calligrapher - Aunt Nicola
6. Race: Sopranist - Spring Of Fame - Your Old Pal
7. Race: Ave - Photographic - Good Again

Two Thousand Guineas at Newmarket

the first major classic of the season, the Two Thousand Guineas, which is run today at 16.10 CET over the straight mile at Newmarket, is being run for the 201st time and looks very open indeed. The Irish have an excellent record in recent years and Aidan O´Brien, who has won this race 5 times already, saddles two likely candidates in Rip van Winkle, the choice of stable jockey Johnny Murtagh, and Mastercraftsman, partnered by Irish champion jockey Pat Smullen. Rip van Winkle was a doubtful runner a few days ago because of a stone bruise, but O´Brien would not risk him now if not 100% convinced of his well-being. However there is not much between the pair on form, and Rip Van Winkle was only 7th (although not beaten far after not getting the run of the race) in last year´s Dewhurst Stakes here, behind several of today´s opponents. Two other Irish hopes are Sea the Stars (John Oxx/ Mick Kinane), a half-brother to Galileo, and Gan Amhras (Jim Bolger/ Kevin Manning) and they can also both be expected to figure. Best of the Brits would appear to be Delegator (Brian Meehan/ Jamie Spencer), also beaten in the Dewhurst, but an easy winner of the Craven Stakes here. However there is a suspicion that that was a sub-standard race, and it would come as no surprise to see most of the prize-money disappear across the Irish Sea.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Foolin Myself - Confront - Flipando
2. Race: Spanish Moon - Casual Conquest - Bronze Cannon
3. Race: Rip Van Winkle - Delegator - Mastercraftsman
4. Race: Borderlescott - Amour Propre - Chief Editor
5. Race: Infiraad - Calligrapher - Aunt Nicola
6. Race: Sopranist - Spring Of Fame - Your Old Pal
7. Race: Ave - Photographic - Good Again

Punchestown: fifth and final day

the final day of Punchestown´s big N.H. meeting has more high class racing on offer and should see more big race success going the way of trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Ruby Walsh, who have dominated the week so far. They can take the two main events, the Grade 3 mares hurdle at 14.45 CET with Serpentaria, the clear form choice after winning 5 of her last 6 starts, and the Grade One 4yo hurdle at 15.55 with Mourad, whose third place in the Triumph at Cheltenham is easily the best form on offer here. They also have chances in the supporting racs, notably the valuable handicap hurdle at 17.05, where Mullins saddles 4 of the 24 runners. Walsh rides the consistent Sesenta, who is likely to start favourite; however this is a very tough race, and we have a lot of respect for top-weight Essex and also P´tit Fute, both classy performers who have been running in better races.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Wedger Pardy - Drombeag - Dix Villez
2. Race: Serpentaria - Aura About You - Oligarch Society
3. Race: Agus A Vic - Juveigneur - Baby Run
4. Race: Mourad - Jumbo Rio - Tharawaat
5. Race: Nenuphar Collonges - One Cool Cookie - Arbor Supreme
6. Race: Sesenta - Northern Alliance - Smoking Aces
7. Race: Seanscoil - Caesar Augustus - Brog An Ri
8. Race: Contra Mundum - Pebble Reach - Qasbah

Prix du Muguet at Saint-Cloud

The Group Two Prix du Muguet over a mile at Saint-Cloud has been won 3 times by German-trained horses already this century and a fourth winner is by no means impossible when Precious Boy (Waldemar Hickst/ Andreas Suborics) lines up against 6 opponents at 15.50 today. 4 of the French runners met last time out in the Prix Edmond Blanc over this CD, when Gris de Gris (Alain de Royer-Dupré/ Gerald Mosse) came out on top, but it could be that stable companion Aldanade (Christophe Soumillon), a consistent Aga Khan filly, will be the strongest local hope today, but this is not a strong field by French Group Two standards, and Precious Boy, if anywhere near his best form, has an undeniable chance. The other pattern race on the card, the Prix Cleopatre for 3yo fillies over 2100 metres at 15.20, is a trial for the Prix de Diane, but has only attracted a relatively weak field with 5 runners. Mühleim trainer Werner Baltromei, out of luck with his French runners so far this week, tries ag ain with Samiro and Big Lion, both ridden by Doninique Boeuf, in the two divisions of the 2100 metres handicap at 13.50 and 17.30 respectively.

U.K. racing today

We have two all-weather meetings this afternoon at Lingfield and Southwell, as well as turf racing from Musselburgh, while this evening there is N.H. racing from Bangor and Fontwell. The 5 furlongs conditions race at 17.05 CET at Musselburgh is the most interesting event, with some smart performers entered, including 9yo Desert Lord (Kevin Ryan/ Neil Callan), who has not won since taking the Prix d l´Abbaye in 2006. Obviously a repetition of that form would be enough for this race, but on recent form Fol Hollow (David and Adrian Nicholls), a winner already twice this season, can be preferred, while 3yo Spin Cycle (Brian Smart/ Tom Eaves) also looks dangerous. Two ex-German horses might repay an each-way investment on the undercard here, Windshuffle in the 9 furlongs handicap at 16.30 and Los Nadis in the 1 3/4 miles handicap at 17.40.At Lingfield the 6 furlongs handicap for 3yo´s at 16.20 is a well-contested event. Bottom-weight Joraura (Walter Swinburn/ Louis-Philipp Beuzeli n) won nicely last time and may be able to cope with this rise in grade. King of Dixie (Bill Knight/ Jim Crowley) was slightly disappointing last time, but can come back to form in the class 2 conditions race over a mile here at 17.30. Best race over jumps this evening is the 2 1/2 mile handicap chase at 20.25 at Bangor, in which all 10 runners have a chance in a very open event. Sou´Wester (Colin and Jo Tizzard) is our choice to see off last-time-out winners Tarotino and Corlande as well as Templer, who fell at the last. Paul Nicholls and Christian Williams can land a short-priced double with Kotkimix at 18.40 and Five Dream at 19.10 in the first 2 races of a poor card at Fontwell.

Punchestown: day four

The big Irish N.H. meeting at Punchestown continues today with some more high-class racing, some huge fields and very testing going following further rain. Main event is the Rabobank Champion Hurdle at 18.30 CET. in which Punjabi (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty) is the obvious form choice, having won this last year, and also a Grade One novice hurdle over this CD 2 years ago, as well as the "real thing" at Cheltenham. However the opposition is very strong, and two much-imprived Irish hurdlers will test him to the limit today, Quevega (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh), most impressive at Chletenham last time, and Solwhit (Charlie Byrnes/ Davy Russell) winner of 4 of his last 5 races. Willie Mullins has had a tremendous week and can in any case continue on the winning trailin th Champion Novice Hurdle at 19.05, whre his two runnrs Mikael d´Haguenet (Ruby Walsh) and Cousin Vinny (with son Patrick in the saddle) could well take the first two places. British hopes, the lightly-raced a nd unbeaten Bouggler (Emma Lavelle/ Jack Doyle) and Trenchant (Alan King/ Robert Thornton) can fight it out for third. A good showing by Bouggler would be a clear pointer to the chances of Copper Bleu (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson) in the following novice hurdle at 19.40, as he finished only a head behind him at Aintree last time, form which gives him an outstanding chance here.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Turn Up - Burton Girl - Sameolddingdong
2. Race: Ballytrim - Hold The Pin - Lochan Lacha
3. Race: Tranquil Sea - Equus Maximus - Jaamid
4. Race: Punjabi - Quevega - Solwhit
5. Race: Mikael D`Haguenet - Cousin Vinny - Roberto Goldback
6. Race: Copper Bleu - Zaarito - New Phase
7. Race: Spare Shilling - Teffia Rose - Diaconescu
8. Race: Definitely Marble - Chip Tea - Last Draw