Kempton (N.H.) and Southwell (a.w.)

With Wetherby abandoned, Kempton now stages the only jumping in the U.K. today, while there is also a very modest card at Southwell for fans of all-weather racing. While today´s card at Kempton cannot measure up to yesterday´s brilliant programme, this is still a decent card with the Desert Orchid Chase (Grade Two) over 2 miles at 15.40 CET the main event. Well Chief (David Pipe/ Timmy Murphy) is the likely favourite here, the German-bred is still one of the best 2 mile chasers around. He can be excused his defeat last time at Sandown, where the ground was too heavy and his performances at Cheltenham make him the one to beat. However he has little in hand of Petit Robin (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty), just behind him in the Queen Mother and now 2 lbs better off; he, like Briareus (Andrew Balding/ Robert Thornton) has not run since the Grand National meeting, while other dangers are the much-ímproved Fix the Rib (Gary Moore/ Philip Hide) and Crack away Jack (Emma Lavelle/ N oel Fehily).

There could well be another German-bred winner in the main supporting feature, the Grade Two novice chase, also over 2 miles, at 14.30, in the shape of El Dancer (Lucy Wadham/ Leighton Aspell). He receives 6 lbs from the likely hot favourite Riverside Theatre (Henderson/ Geraghty), who made an impressive debut over fences recently, but when they met at level weights over hurdles at Aintree El Dancer came out clearly on top.

Very little to get excited about at Southwell, but it is unusual to see John Gosden saddling a runner in a maiden race at this time of year, so Tejime (Nicky Mackay) should score over 6 furlongs at 15.15, having been placed on both starts so far. But he will not be much of a price, and nor will Desert Vision (Mick Easterby/ Phillip Makin), who can win his 4th race from his last 5 starts under top weight at 14.10.

Kempton - betting forecast:
1. Race: Mille Chief - Westlin` Winds - Mymateeric
2. Race: Riverside Theatre - El Dancer - I Have Dreamed
3. Race: Amber Brook - Argento Luna - Strawberry
4. Race: Well Chief - Petit Robin - Crack Away Jack
5. Race: Little Josh - Pretty Star - Piraya
6. Race: Know The Law - First Avenue - Right Stuff

Southwell - betting forecast:
1. Race: Silver Linnet - The Love Guru - Lord Victor
2. Race: Star Promise - Bubbly Bellini - Tamarind Hill
3. Race: Desert Vision - Dream In Blue - Resplendent Ace
4. Race: Total Impact - Grudge - Tartatartufata
5. Race: Tejime - Bandstand - Poet`S Place
6. Race: Avertis - Hilbre Court - Ansells Pride
7. Race: Hit The Switch - Transmission - Camerooney