Chepstow and Wetherby

The going will be very heavy at Chepstow today and also very soft at Wetherby. Punters are advised to check for non-runners, especially at Chepstow, where it appears that some of the jumps may be omitted. Our idea of the best bet of the day is the ex-German Loom (David Pipe/ Tom Scudamore), who runs in the selling hurdle there at 14.40 CET. Loom was a major hope for Baron Ullmann in younger years, but continually failed to live up to expectations.

After some poor performances in Britain as well, he suddenly hit form when dropped to this grade and scored very easily last time on heavy ground at Uttoxeter. Best race at Chepstow is the 3 mile handicap hurdle at 15.50, in which Magnifico (David Evans/ Andrew Glassonbury), going for a hat-trick, easy CD winner Dance Island (Barry Case/ Peter Toole) and Chesapeake (Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy) appear to have the best chances. At Wetherby, the novice hurdle at 14.20 should mainly concern bumper winners Cunning Clarets (Richard Fahey/ Brian Hughes) and Birch Hill Bedouin (Sue Smith/ Tjade Collier) and Smith also has prospects in the following handicap chase with Killkenny All Star (Richard McGrath). There are only 4 runners in the beginners chase at 16.00, which should be won by either Teamgeist (Charlie Mann/ Noel Fehily) or Passport Control (Howard Johnson / Denis O´Regan)