N.H. racing at Haydock, Hereford and Warwick

The best card at today´s 3 jumps meetings in the U.K. is at Haydock, and the handicap chase at 16.50 CET looks a really hot race. Lease Lend (Tim Easterby/ Richard McGrath) is in great form and can complete a hat-trick, but stern opposition comes from top-weight Jass (Keith and James Reveley) and Leamington Lad (Nigel Twiston-Davis/ Paddy Brennan) among others. By contrast, the handicap hurdle at 17.25, although theoretically a better race, does not look so strong and can go to local trainer Donald McCain with Son of Flicka (Jason Maguire). There are only 4 runnrs in the novic chs at 16.15, but it still looks quite tricky. Marcus (Andrew Tinkler) is now with Nicky Henderson and made a good comeback recently after 2 years off, and may be sharp enough now.

There are also only 4 runners in the novice chase at 15.55 at Warwick, and this should be a penalty kick for Gullible Gordon (Paul Nicholls/ Nick Scholfield), who has plenty in hand according to official ratings. Ex-German Hilfiger (Ian Williams/ David Dennis) makes his hurdling debut here at 16.30 and could run well, although William Hogarth (Keith Goldsworthy/ Tony McCoy) is clearly the one to beat here, having been runner-up 4 times in his last 6 starts.

Mostly Bob (Philip Hobbs/ Rhys Flint) is an interesting runner in the conditional jockeys novice hurdle at 16.40 at Hereford. He won his only bumper last year for Willie Mullins and with the Hobbs hurdlers firing could well score on his debut over sticks. Bottom weight Ukrainian Star (Richard Guest/ Timmy Murphy) won well last week and can take the handicap chase at 17.50; he gets 16 lbs from the obvious danger Overlaw. Otherwise one should follow the runners here trained by Venetia Williams, who always does well at her local track.