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.