N.H. racing at Wincanton and Sedgefield

With the ground firming up, and the top stables winding down for the summer, there are some very small fields at today´s jumps meetings at Wincanton in the afternoon and Sedgefield this evening. Paul Nicholls has several runners at Wincanton, his local track, but these are far from being the leading lights in the yard, which in any case is hardly firing on all fronts at present. Nicky Henderson, on the other hand, is still churning out the winners, and we expect his Osric (Tony McCoy) to master Nicholls´ Marc Aurele (Ryan Mahon)- owned by Sir Alex Ferguson- in the novice hurdle at 17.50 CET. The two German-breds Weststern (Gary and Jamie Moore) - last year´s winner- and Crazy Bold (Tony Carroll/ Lee Edwards) both have chances in the handicap hurdle at 17.20, but neither seem very well handicapped, while we expect the Moores´ Or Jaune to take the handicap chase at 16.20.

By far the most valuable race of the day is the Durham National over 3 1/2 miles at 20.20 at Sedgefield. Two trainers supply half the field- Paul Murphy with the two top-weights Cerium (Graham Lee) and Mr. Pointment (AP Lane), while Sue Smith saddles 3 runners, including recent winner Leac an Scail (Anthony Voy). Of these Cerium is the most interesting; he ran fifth in last year´s Grand National, and was 11th in the most recent running. His only race in between was the Cheltenham Gold Cup! Obviously he had no chance whatsoever there, but today´s opposition certainly looks beatable. Lucky Nellerie (Ferdy Murphy/ Keith Mercer) is a course specialist and won this last year, but the ground may be too firm today.Two runners at Sedgefield that look overdue for a win are Mr. Syntax (Tim Fitzgerald/ Brian Hughes) - placed in all 7 career starts- in the maiden hurdle at 18.50, and Knockavilla (Howard Johnson/ Hughes again) in the novice chase an hour later.