N.H. racing at Catterick, Fontwell and Naas (Ireland)

there is still an inspection to be held at Catterick following more overnight frost, but if racing goes ahead, Otto Quercus (Charlie Longsdon/ Paddy Brennan) looks a good thing to win the maiden chase at 16.20 CET, despite not having run for 4 months. The mares novice hurdle here half an hour later looks the most interesting race on the card. The penalised Last of the Bunch (Alan Swinbank/ Brian Hughes) sets the standard, but it is not certain that she can concede weight to Bogside Theatre (George Moore/ Matt O´Connell) and Gwyre (Tim Easterby/ Richard McGrath), both of whom are knocking at the door after several second places.
The ground will be quite fast at Fontwell and although the card is modest, several leading trainers have runners here, including Nicky Henderson, Paul Nicholls and Alan King. Nicholls has two runners in the novice hurdle at 15.10, of whom Elevenses (Hrry Skelton) looks the stronger, but Henderson´s Piper Royal (Barry Geraghty) looks the one to beat. However Nicholls can take the maiden hurdle half an hour later with Theres no Panic (Nick Scholfield), although ex-German Sushitan (Gary Moore/ Andrew Glassonbury), who was quite a handful on his British debut last August, could be a danger if in better form today.
There are some huge fields at the Irish meeting at Naas. Ruby Walsh has some good rides here, but may be upstaged by Paul Carberry who is making his comeback after injury. He has good chances on James Lambe´s Forestside in the maiden hurdle at 15.15, German-bred Wild Passion (Noel Meade) in the hurdle race at 15.45, and Kaskadar for the same trainer an hour later in another maiden hurdle.

Betting forecast Catterick:
1. Race: Along The Nile - Nodform William - Tipsy Indian
2. Race: Sonny Sam - Mardood - Seven Stars
3. Race: Otto Quercus - Farne Island - Stuff Of Dreams
4. Race: Bogside Theatre - Gwyre - Last Of The Bunch
5. Race: Work Boy - I See A Star - Star Beat
6. Race: Cool Cliche - Keen Whip - Blazing Bull
7. Race: Chickini - Sara`S Smile - Landenstown Rose



Betting forecast Naas:
1. Race: Sweet My Lord - Fingal Rock - Forestside
2. Race: Archie Boy - Wild Passion - Show Blessed
3. Race: Well Insured - Riverscape - Ben Wade
4. Race: Gagewell Flyer - Taking Stock - Bootlegger
5. Race: All The Cousins - Rating Queen - Slippers Percy
6. Race: In Great Form - Cottrelsbooley - Touch Of Gold
7. Race: Fort Defiance - Mystic Smile - Jack The Pirate