N.H. racing at Sedgefield and Naas (Ireland)

Denis O´Regan rode two winners yesterday and could be back in the winner´s circle after the two opening races at Sedgefield today. In the beginners chase at 15.20 CET he partners Howard Johnson´s Gringo, who has not run for half a year but was easily the best of these over hurdles. If his jumping holds up, he should win on his chasing debut. Half an hour later, he rides Double Expresso for the same trainer in the novice hurdle over 2 1/2 miles. This one won both his bumpers (for a different stable) and made a satisfactory hurdling debut. The danger should be the penalised Benny be Good (Keith & James Reveley), a CD winner last time out. The same teams should be involved in the finish of the handicap hurdle at 16.20, the Reveleys with Club Class and the Johnson/ O`Regan team with bottom weight Toy Gun; the problem here is the distance of almost 3 1/2 miles, as hardly any of the runners have form over this trip.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Gringo - Eyre Square - What A Buzz
2. Race: Double Expresso - Benny Be Good - Pyracantha
3. Race: Club Class - Of Course - Go On Be A Lady
4. Race: Prince Tam - Lerida - Troodos Jet
5. Race: Cosmetic - Lindseyfield Lodge - Overbranch
6. Race: Pistol Basc - Seven Is Lucky - Kinkeel




The card at Naas is very low level for a Sunday Irish meeting, and the classiest performer of the day is clearly Zaarito (Colm Murphy/ Davy Condon), who runs in the novice chase at 16.00. The problem for his backers is that he has fallen on 4 of his last 7 starts. When he stands up, he runs well and has put up some smart performances, including when runner-up to Captain Cee Dee here before Christmas. If he stays on his feet, he should win this easily. Main feature is the grandly-named Leinster National at 17.00, but this is in reality just an ordinary 3 mile handicap chase. We don´t really fancy any of the top weights and suggest a small each-way bet on Tom Taaffe´s King´s Advocate with a good claimer taking him down to a very low weight. Even if Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh fail to score here, they can take the 3 mile maiden hurdle at 17.30 with debutant Angus House, beaten favourite but hardly disgraced on both his bumper starts.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Whodoyouthink - Silver Friend - Stonemaster
2. Race: Zaarito - Whatuthink - Pesoto
3. Race: Montan - Farringdon - Questions Answered
4. Race: Rare Bob - Equus Maximus - Kings Advocate
5. Race: Angus House - Major Glendinning - Killary Bay
6. Race: Tooman Lane - Whosaidso - Topofdemornintou
7. Race: A Fine Young Man - Oscars Well - Macareo




If racing goes ahead at Huntingdon, there are likely to be several non-runners. Tony McCoy looks the jockey to follow and can take the maiden hurdle at 15.40 on Nicky Henderson´s Front of House, the handicap chase at 16.10 with Rapid Increase and the handicap hurdle half an hour later with Bobble Hat Bob, both for Jonjo O´Neill.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Spent - Haarth Sovereign - You Never Said
2. Race: Front Of House - Secret Stash - Silver Token
3. Race: Rapid Increase - Noakarad De Verzee - Kilkenny All Star
4. Race: Petroglyph - Bobble Hat Bob - Mistress To No One
5. Race: American Cricket - I`Ve Been Framed - Alfloramoor
6. Race: Celian - Rileyev - Massini Sunset
7. Race: The Giggler - Keep Talking - Mister Teddy