N.H. racing at Carlisle, Haydock and Cork (Ireland)

Easily the best jumps racing today is at Haydock, where the ground will be very heavy. The 2 1/2 mile handicap chase at16.30 CET is a valuable event and it is noticeable that the powerful Paul Nicholls/ Ruby Walsh team have their only runner of the day here in Fistral Beach. He unseated his rider lst time out, but his prvious form was good enough. We would like to go with oldtimer Mister McGoldrick (Sue Smith/ Paddy Brennan), who ran a great race at Cheltenham, but he probably needs better ground, and the same goes for Lease Lend (Tim Easterby/ Richard McGrath), who has won 4 of his last 5 races. The likeliest candidates therefore would appear to be Saphir des Bois (Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy) and ex-French Salut Flo (David Pipe/ Tom Scudamore), who won on the heavy at Cegnes sur mer in January and then scored with the greatest of ease on his British debut. The novices handicap hurdle at 17.35 is another tricky race. Alfie Spinner (Nick Williams/Daryl Jacob) is the like ly favourite here after running 4th in the Imperial Cup, but we also like the lightly-raced Turbo Island (James Ewart/ Harry Haynes) and Glenwood Knight (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire). Williams and Jacob also have a chance with Diamond Brook in the handicap hurdle at 18.10, but German-bred Federstar (Milton Harris/ Oliver Greenall) won so easily last week at Hexham that he can score again under a penalty.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Majaales - Open De L`Isle - Numide
2. Race: Noun De La Thinte - Vodka Brook - Maktu
3. Race: Salut Flo - Fistral Beach - Lease Lend
4. Race: Blazing Diva - Quiet Bob - Rosie All Over
5. Race: Alfie Spinner - Glenwood Knight - Pearlysteps
6. Race: Federstar - Diamond Brook - Sonny Mullen
7. Race: Wood Yer - Safran De Cotte - Ballinasloe




There could also be German-breds in the winners enclosure at Carlisle, where we expect both Los Nadis (Graham Lee) in the novice chase at 15.15 and Quicuyo (Ryan Mania), top-weight in the handicap chase at 18.00, to go well. Both are trained by Peter Monteith, and although they have Fährhof pedigrees (Quicuyo is in fact an own brother to Quijano) they act well on the expected very soft going. Main event here is the 3 mile handicap chase at 15.50 with 17 runners; tricky stiff, but Ma Yahab (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman) and Buffalo Bob (Kim Bailey/ Sean Quinlan) are our two against the field.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Diamond Frontier - Los Nadis - Lord Larsson
2. Race: Himalayan Trail - Ma Yahab - Categorical
3. Race: The Maystone - Billsgrey - Polobury
4. Race: Finney - Ginolad - Youngstown
5. Race: Teerie Express - Seeking Power - Tully Hill
6. Race: Shelomoh - Cash Man - Justtheoneforyou
7. Race: Fair Question - Areyacoddinmee - Hasper




There is an all-hurdles card at Cork in Ireland with some huge fields. Main feature here is the Easter Handicap Hurdle at 16.55. Go On Ya Boyo (Edward Cawley/ Niall Madden), who is going for a hat-trick, but our preference is for Questions Answered (Eric McNamara/ Paul Townend), who is also in good form.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Sweet My Lord - Headly`S Bridge - Larsen Bee
2. Race: Keats Dream - Stradbally - Cheer Up
3. Race: Islanmore - Second Glance - Ag Dul Suas
4. Race: Nintytwo Team - Go On Ya Boyo - Farringdon
5. Race: Vast Consumption - Got The Urge - Waltzing Tornado
6. Race: Drive On Regardles - Pay The Bounty - Baby Be Mine
7. Race: Octavin - Anshan Dreams - Gala Dancer