N.H. racing at Uttoxeter and Wetherby

Two jumps meetings today with the best sport at Wetherby, and despite the controversy surrounding the racecourse (4 fatalities at the last meeting), the fields are quite competitive with runners from many of the top stables. Main event is the listed 3yo hurdle at 16.15 CET with 8 runners, 5 of them last-time-out winners. Trumpstoo (Richard Fahey/ Brian Hughes) and Ravati (Chris Grant/ Lucy Horner) both won at the last meeting here, while Mohanad (Sheena West/ Jamie Goldstein) and Marsool (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire) are both highly rated. This race should tell us a lot, but we have marginal preference for Trumpstoo. The handicap chase over 2 1/2 miles at 15.40 also has listed status and has attracted some useful performers.

Knight Legend (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson) is the class act here but has a huge weight, and we prefer the bottom weights Professor Higgins (Howard Johnson/ Hughes) and Bauhaus (Gordon Elliott/ Johnny Farrelly), while Bible Lord (Andrew Turnell/ Nick Scholfield) would be dangerous in his form of 2 years ago. The Uttoxeter card is less exciting, but if Chapel Flowers (Tim Vaughan/ Dean Coleman) turns out again, he should not be missed in the handicap chase at 16.55. He was a very easy winner yesterday at Newcastle and also won last weekend, both times at odds-on, and will again be a hot favourite if he goes for his third race in a week.