Hereford (N.H.), Southwell (N.H.) and Lingfield (a.w.)

There very low-grade meetings in the U.K. today. The jumps fixture at Hereford goes ahead after an early morning inspection, where the frost was not as bad as expected. We correctly tipped Nicky Henderson to win 4 races yesterday, and it could be the turn of Paul Nicholls to star here today. Ruby Walsh flies over to partner his 3 runners, debutant Opening Meet in the novice hurdle at 14.40 CET, Recif de Thaix in the beginners chase at 15.10 and Elevenses in the bumper at 16.40. At Southwell, where they race over jumps today, Mobaasher (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman) is the most interesting runner when he contests the beginners chase over 3 miles at 13.50. This is his first attempt at fences, but he was easily the best of these over hurdles and was last seen running not at all badly in the World Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival. Leac an Scail and Nom de Guerre were both runners-up in similar races recently and will make sure he is up to the task. The novice hurdle half an h our later probably lies between the two penalised runners, Chamirey (Alan King/ Robert Thornton) and Lord Generous (AP Boxhall/ Tony McCoy), but with the King stable seemingly under a cloud, we select the "AP" runner. Charlie Mann has done well with his German imports and we expect Vacario to go well in the conditional jockeys novice hurdle at 15.20 with the talented Peter Toole in the saddle, though this is quite an open race.

At Lingfield, the best event is the class 4 mile handicap at 14.00 and top-weight Mr. Willis is a confident selection. John Best´s 3yo has won 3 of his 4 starts this year and is unbeaten in 4 races -all at this track -with Steve Drowne aboard. The Queen, who had a N.H. winner yesterday, can also score on the flat today with Banks and Braes (Richard Hannon/ Dane O´Neill), who has joint top-weight in the 2yo handicap at 14.20. The two divisions of the 6 furlongs handicap at 13.30 and 15.30 can go to last time out CD winners Green Velvet and Ask Jenny respectively.