Rest of the U.K. and Ireland today

There is a good jumping card a Cheltenham today, with the top event a limited handicap over 2 miles 5 furlongs at16.55 CET. Voy por Ustedes (Alan King/ Robert Thornton) is the class act here, having in the past won two championship races at the Festival here. However, in common with many of his stable companions, he has below par so far this season. But if anywhere near his best form, he should be able to give weight to today´s rivals, the best of whom are Gwanako (Paul Nicholls/ Tony McCoy), Duc de Regniere (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty) and last week´s easy Aintree winner From Dawn to Dusk (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson). However the Duc fares, the Henderson/ Geraghty team could be in for a successful afternoon, as they also have good chances with Monetary Fund in the 4yo hurdle at 15.10 and Lord Ragnar in the handicap hurdle at 16.20.

There is also jumps racing at Gowran Park in Ireland where Willie Mullins looks the trainer to follow. He has to do without his regular jockey Ruby Walsh (now not expected to be back before June at the earliest), and his son Paddy and Paul Townend share the mounts.

Today´s other flat racing is at Beverley in the afternoon and at Kempton´s all-weather track in the evening. Some of the top jockeys move on from Newmarket to ride at Kempton, including Kieren Fallon, Frankie Dettori and Jamie Spencer. While the big name jockeys are there, and earlier at Newmarket, Paul Hanagan, who is making the running in the jockeys´ championship, could clean up at Beverley, where he has a full book of 8 rides, including several who are strongly fancied.