N.H. racing at Bangor, Folkestone and Downpatrick (N. Ireland)

2 so-called "Grand Nationals" today, at Folkestone over 3 miles 7 furlongs at 17.10 CET and at Downpatrick over 3 1/2 miles at 16.45. The Ulster National is the better race, but neither event is likely to have any impact on the real thing at Aintree. At Downpatrick, our short list includes Hume River (Jessica Harrington/ Robbie Power), O´Muircheartaigh (Edward O´Grady/ Barry Geraghty) and Sigma Lifestyle (Noel Meade/ Davy Condon), but beware of course specialist News Item (George Stewart/ John Cullen), who has won this race twice before. Also at Downpatrick, watch out for wonderful Nina Carberry who makes her comeback from a foot injury on Meade´s Jim Bowie in the bumper at 18.15.

At Folkestone, we expect bottom-weight Ya I know (Sarah Humphrey/ Richard Johnson) to play a leading role; he won last time out at Bangor and can confirm the form with runner-up Tarquinius (Charlie Mann/ Peter Toole). The Bangerman (Nigel Twiston-Davies/ Paddy Brennan), behind on that occasion, and Topless (Neil Mulholland/ Dougie Costello) also have chances. German-bred Wiesenfürst (Gary Moore/ Eamonn Dehdashti) ran well after a long break last time and can win the 2 mile handicap chase here at 16.10, with Ballymorn (Henrietta Knight/ Andrew Thornton) the main danger.