Leicester, Hamilton and Cartmel (N.H.)

Once again, very modest sport in the U.K. today with racing this afternoon at Leicester and Hamilton as well as jumping from Cartmel. The most interesting event is the 10 furlongs conditions race for 3yo´s at 16.50 CET at Leicester; only 6 runners, but they include two useful Godolphin runners Prince Siegfried (Frankie Dettori) and In Footsteps (Ted Durcan) as well as Sir Michael Stoute´s ex-French Rendezvous (Neil Callan). Prince Siegfried was runner-up in a French Group One last autumn and is the selection. Frankie also rides the frustrating Seaway for Saeed bin Suroor in the maiden race for 3- and 4yo´s over the same distance at 18.00 and he is certainly overdue for a win; Ottoman Empire (David Lanigan/ Ted Durcan) and Merdaam (John Dunlop/ Richard Hills) are also knocking on the door and are the main dangers. At Hamilton the highest-rated horses run in the 5 furlongs claimer at 15.50.

Obe Gold (David and Adrian Nicholls) and High Curragh (Kevin and Amy Ryan) are dropping in grade here with good chances, but distance specialist Raccoon (Ruth Carr/ Peter Mcdonald) is very consistent and is the one to beat. There could be a German-bred winner here, as Evening Sunset (Mick Channon/ Paul Hanagan) has an obvious chance in the mile handicap for 3yo´s at 16.25, while another German-bred with a winning chance is Cortinas (Charlie Mann/ Noel Fehily) in the novice chase at 15.30 at Cartmel. Also at Cartmel, Irish raider Sandhurst can defy top weight in the 3 1/4 mile handicap chase at 16.40 with Tony McCoy in the saddle. Getinbybutonlyjust (Dianne Sayer/ Brian Harding) stays for ever and looks the main threat.