N.H. racing at Uttoxeter, Wetherby and Punchestown (Ireland)

There are massive fields at the Irish jumps meeting Punchestown today, with 25 runners in each of the 4 hurdles races. Punters are therefore advised to keep stakes small, although Ruby Walsh as so often looks the jockey to follow. His two rides for Willie Mullins, Scholars Mate in the handicap hurdle at 16.50 CET (despite being off the track for nearly 2 years) and Our Monty, top weight in the handicap hurdle at 17.20, should both be involved, while Tony Martin´s Dream Champion at 17.50 and Colm Murphy´s Prince Rico half an hour later also have chances. The teeam to follow at Wetherby, one of the best jumps tracks in the North which opens its doors for the 2009-2010 season today, is clearly trainer Howard Johnson and jockey Denis O´Regan. They have fancied runners in most of the 8 races and we are especially keen on Striking Article, top-weight in the handicap hurdle at 16.45, Malakai in the novice hurdle at 17.20 and Marleybow in the handicap chase at 17.55. None of the 3 has run since April, but the stable is already in good form, so that should be no problem. Tony McCoy is th man to follow at Uttoxeter, where he can win the 3yo hurdle on Addison de Witt at 15.20, the selling hurdle on Mickmackmagoole at 17.30 and the 2 mile handicap chase at 18.05 with American World. However the best bet here in our view is Civil Servant (Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies) in the novice hurdle at 16.25.

Betting forecast Punchestown:
1. Race: Gimli`S Rock - Putapriceonthat - Descaro
2. Race: Taking Stock - Rivage d`Or - Carrigmartin
3. Race: Scholars Mate - Piper`s Knowe - Windix
4. Race: Our Monty - Golden Moon - Appeal Denied
5. Race: Dream Champion - Strong Project - Bernabeu
6. Race: Weapon`S Amnesty - Corskeagh Royale - Indian Pace
7. Race: Lillian`S Secret - Teffia Rose - Araucaria