N.H. racing at Huntingdon, Musselburgh and Navan (Ireland)

Easily the most interesting racing today comes from Huntingdon, where the main event is the novice chase over 3 miles at 16.30, which despite the small field looks very competitive. Mighty Man (Henry Daly/ Richard Johnson) was the best of these over hurdles and is the obvious favourite here, but faces strong opposition from German-bred Sullumo (Charlie Mann/ Noel Fehily), who was still in contention when falling last time, and possibly from Viking Rebel (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty), even though he is coming off a break of 21 months. Mighty Man, whose stable has won this race for the past 3 seasons, ought to win but will need to be at his best.

Of almost equal interest are the two divisions of the novice hurdle which kick off the card. The second division features the Triumph Hurdle favourite Mille Chief, whose trainer Alan King has targetted this race with his top 4yo´s before. Following "Choc" Thornton´s heavy fall yesterday, it is not yet clear who will be in the saddle, but Mille Chief will probably start at long odds-on. The first division at 14.20 looks much more open and we shall certainly be watching Ostland (Charlie Longsdon/ Paddy Brennan), who was runner-up in the German Derby two years ago.

The card at Musselburgh is less inspiring, but Donald McCain and Jason Maguire can land a double here in the two divisions of the novice hurdle with Inventor at 14.10 and Miss Vertical half an hour later, while The Snail (Evan Williams/ Paul Moloney) bids for a five-timer in the handicap hurdle at 16.10. Rose Dobbin, who saddled her first winner as a trainer at the weekend, has the danger here with Broadway Star (Keith Renwick) and they can follow up half an hour later with German-bred Euro American.

There could also be a German-bred winner at Navan, as Prince of Fire (Charlie Swan/ David Casey) has an obvious chance in the hurdle race at 14.45. However Sweet Shock would appear to have little chance against form choice Acapulco (Edward O´Grady/ Andrew McNamara) in the maiden hurdle half an hour later, as that one has been narrowly beaten in better company three times running. Ruby Walsh seems to ubiquitous these days and he can land a double on his father´s Seabass at 16.15 and Willie Mullins´ Palace Merano at 16.45.