Jumps racing today

There is N.H. racing today at Exeter and Towcester, and although the ground is given as good to firm at both meetings, the going may well change as more rain is expected. Although we would not normally recommend a 3yo against older horses at this time of year over hurdles, we make an exception for David Pipe´s Talimas (Tom Scudamore) in the novice handicap hurdle at Exeter at 15.50 CET, as he won so easily last time out; top-weight Carey´s Road (Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy) looks the main danger. Jonjo and AP can in anycase take the opening race at 15.20 with Intersky Music, while we make Cool Friend (Jeremy Scott/ Nick Scholfield), runner-up in a big field at the Aintree May meeting when last seen, our bst bet of the meeting in the novice hurdle at 17.20.

The best race at Towcester is also a novice hurdle at 16.30; Pilgrim´s Lane (Milton Harris/ Warren Marston) has a double penalty, so Agento Romano (Evan Williams/ Paul Moloney), who won in good style last time, is preferred, but the mares Dots Delight (Mark RImell/ Peter Toole) and Hayes Princess (Tim Vaughan/ Richard Johnson) look dangerous in receipt of plenty of weight. Vaughan and Johnsn also team u woth Grman-bred Daring Racer in th handocap hurdle at 17.30, which looks quite difficult with 18 runners. However Ishismart (Reg Hollinshead/Harry Skelton) won well last time and has to be the selection on recent form.