Rest of U.K. and Ireland

Even without Newcastle, there is plenty more interesting racing today and German attention will be focussed on the listed 6 furlongs event at 16.50 CET at Lingfield. Smarten Die (Erika Mäder/ Steffi Hofer) is the German runner and and hopes are high that he can at least improve on his sixth place in this event a year ago. The two to beat are clearly Arganil (Kevin Ryan/ Darryll Holland) and Jaconet (David Barron/ Phillip Makin), but Smarten Die could be an interesting place bet at the likely odds. The other listed race at Lingfield is the Winter Derby trial over 10 furlongs at 17.20. Class act here is obviously Gitano Hernando (Marco Botti/ Kieren Fallon), who has his eyes fixed on a much more valuable target than the Winter Derby - the Dubai World Cup no less. If he is to have any chance at Meydan he should win this race today in a canter. Suits Me (Tom Tate/ Holland) and Yahrab (Clive Brittain/ Seb Sanders) are the two for the minor places.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Atlantic Tiger - Christmas Coming - Pascalina
2. Race: Spruce - Sitwell - Sir Liam
3. Race: Glamorous Spirit - Peak District - Even Bolder
4. Race: Jaconet - Arganil - Mullionmileanhour
5. Race: Gitano Hernando - Suits Me - Yahrab
6. Race: Elna Bright - Mahadee - Seek The Fair Land
7. Race: Advanced - Dalradian - Carcinetto




The ground will be very testing at Chepstow, here unfortunately only 4 turn out for the main event, a veteran´s handicap chase at 17.40; on current form this can only concern Magic Sky (Milton Harris/ Oliver Greenall) and Picts Hill (Tony Honeyball/ Liam Heard), who is going for a four-timer but has not run for almost a year. The 3 mile handoap hurdle at 16.30 looks much more open. Last year´s winner Magnifico (David Evans/ Giles Hawkins) is very consistent and should be thereabouts, but he has gone up 17 lbs since last year and at these weights we prefer lightly-raced Cuckoo Lane (Vic Dartnall/ Harry Skelton).

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Bring On The Judge - Crannaghmore Boy - Petito
2. Race: Star Galaxy - New Rackheath - Rudivale
3. Race: Moulin De La Croix - Orana Conti - It`S A Discovery
4. Race: Viking Blond - Hopeful Start - Silver Spinner
5. Race: Salontyre - Anay Turge - Bundle Up
6. Race: Picts Hill - Magic Sky - Mister Quasimodo
7. Race: Five Star Wilsham - Takamaru - Tim The Chair




Main event at Navan is the Grade Two novice hurdle at 15.05, in which top-weight Coole River (Jessica Harrington) and unbeaten 4yo Pittoni (Charlie Byrnes/ Davy Russell) stand out by miles. German-bred Manhattan Boy (Edward O´Grady/ Andrew McNamara) has shown nothing much this season, but still has an each-way chance in the handicap chase at 16.45, while our best bet of the day is Nicanor (Noel Meade/ Davy Condon) in the beginners chase at 17.50. He would probably have won last time but for a mistake at the last, and the winner then Kempes won a graded race in good style yesterday.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: The Ride Aint Free - Asiya - Son Amix
2. Race: Coole River - Pittoni - Thegreatjohnbrowne
3. Race: Tijuana Dancer - Schumpters Lad - Great Value
4. Race: City Of Doral - Razorlite - Retrievethelegend
5. Race: Mighty Bob - Barneys Honour - Turtle Time Lucky
6. Race: Hangover - Across The Bay - Jadanli
7. Race: Nicanor - More Chimney`S - Deal Done
8. Race: Baby Be Mine - Jetson - Some Fool