4 jumps meetings today

There are 4 N.H. meetings in the U.K. today, and with temperatures rising and the weather improving, there should be no problems anywhere, with the ground drying out rapidly. It is Grand Military Gold Cup day at Sandown., always regarded as the favourite fixture of the late Queen Mother. Three races are rstricted to horses roden by memebers of th armed forces.

The big race itself at 16.30 CET features two previous winners - Bolachoir (S. Slevin/ Lucy Gardner) and Oakfield Legend (PS Payne/ Sally Randall) and they should both be involved again. The dangers are Scots Dragoon (Nicky Henderson/ Major Michael) and Gaora Lane (Charlie Mann/ Capt. Wallace), our each-way selection. Henderson should in any case win the final novice hurdle at 18.15 where he has two runners, Lush Life (Barry Geraghty) and Zazamix (David Bass). The former won in good style last time and can score again, but Cois Farraig (Paul Webber/ Wayne Kennedy), runner-up to the smart Oscar Whisky this CD last time, is an obvious threat.

There are also 3 races for amateurs at Leicester, but the most interesting events are for the pros. Devils River (Anna Brooks/ Andrew Tinkler) and Tooka (Tony Middleton/ Charlie Poste) were both just beaten last time and can fight out the finish of the novices handicap chase at 17,15, while half an hour later Captain Smoothy (Sean Curran/ Antony Freeman), also just caught this CD last time, can go one better in the 2 mile 7 furlongs handicap chase.

At Ayr, Keith and Jams Reveley can continue their good run with Categorical in the staying handicap chase at 16.55. He won nicely at Newcastle last time over 2 1/2 miles but this extra distance should not be a problem. Fiftyfive Degrees (Paula Robson/ Timmy Murphy), who also won over shorter last time, is the danger. German-bred Safin is not the most consistent, but must have an each-way chance off bottom weight in the handícap hurdle at 17.30.

Finally Ruby Walsh teams up wíth Paul Nicholls for two mounts at Wincanton, Great Mates in the novice hurdle at 16.45 and Murrell in the bumper at 18.30. Both were beaten at odds-on when last seen, some months go. Murrell should win today, but Great Mates faces a tough opponent in the shape of Gordon Elliott´s Meath All Star (Keith Donoghue, an impressive winner last time at Ffos Las and an intended runner next week at Cheltenham.