Nicholls at Taunton, Henderson at Folkestone (?)

Two modest N.H. cards today, but the two top jumps trainers Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson have taken this opportunity of sending some of their lesser lights to Taunton and Folkestone respectively. Racing at the latter track is not certain to go ahead, as an inspection has been called for later this morning, but if it does, Henderson and Tony McCoy would have fair chances of landing a treble, with Strategic Gale at 14.50 CET, Fiftyonefiftyone half an hour later and Oedipe at 15.50.Oedipe is the most interesting runner here; he was a smart chaser but now runs for the first time over hurdles.He has not run since the Cheltenham Festival last March, but if he can reproduce his best chasing form over sticks can hardly be beaten in this company.

At Taunton, Nicholls has booked Ruby Walsh for all his runners except Oamru Stone in the opening conditional jockeys handicap hurdle at 14.40, who will be partnered by Nick Scholfield. As the jockey won the big race at Cheltenham for the stable last Saturday, this one will certainly not fail for lack of support from the saddle. Walsh rides ex-French Toubab at 15.10, Watergate an hour later, then Valentine Vic in the 3 mile novice hurdle at 16.40, Oracle des Mottes at 17.10 and the aptly-named Rock on Ruby on the bumper at 17.40. All of these have chances, though we fancy Nigel Twiston-Davies might win at 17.10 with the consistent Nudge and Nurdle, and it will be a surprise if Nicholls and Walsh leave the track without at least a couple of winners.