N.H. racing at Newbury, Newcastle and Punchestown (Ireland)

the going seems certain to be very testing for today´s 3 jumps meetings and punters are advised to stick to horses proven in the conditions. There are only 4 runners in the novice chase at 14,30 CET at Newbury, all with good form, and the best of them probably You´re the Top (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty), who has won his last 4 races (3 over hurdles).

However he has never raced on ground as soft as this, and it may be worth taking a chance with Copper Bleu (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson), who has won on the heavy and is also a CD winner. It could well be a successful afternoon for the Hobbs/ Johnson combination, as they also have decent prospects with Wishfull Thinking in the novice hurdle at 15.05 (where once again the Henderson/ Geraghty hope Master of the Hall looks the most dangerous opponent) and Calusa Crystal in the mares novice chase at 16.50

At Newcastle, Wymott (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire) is regarded as a good prospect and should win the novice hurdle over 3 miles at 14.40; he won well last time and should stay this extra distance. The handicap chase over the same trip at 15.15 looks quite open, but Welsh raider Quattrocento (Peter Bowen/ Tom O´Brien) seems the logical choice after an easy win last time at Ffos Las. German-bred Safin (Sue Bradburne/ Giles Hawkins) is not the most consistent but goes well on the heavy and must have an outside each-way chance in the conditional jockeys handicap hurdle at 15.50.

Main feature at Punchestown is the Grade Three juvenile hurdle at 15.35. This should lie between Doctor Deejay (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh) and Pittoni (Charlie Byrnes/Paul Carberry). Byrnes can also take the handicap chase at 14.235 with The Dew at Night (Davy Russell), CD winner last time, while Mullins and Walsh should in any case win the hurdle race at 15.00 with Mourad. Kylebeg Krystle (Denis and DG Hogan) was an easy winner on Sunday at Thurles after being heavily backed, and can follow up for a quick double at 16.10. It is rare to find an English-trained runner going for a midweek meeting in Ireland, but the form shown by Nigel Twiston-Davies´ Frascati Park is far superior to that of any of his opponents in the maiden hurdle at 16.45 and the booking of Ruby Walsh shows that the stable means business.