U.K. racing today

Epsom opens its gates for 2010 today, with its traditional Derby trial over 10 furlongs at 16.30 CET. This is no longer such an important event as used to be the case, and there are only 4 runners today, the pick of which is undoubtedly Prompter (Michael Bell/ Hayley Turner). Dreamspeed (Andrew Balding/ Jimmy Fortune) looks the main danger. Balding has several fancied runners today, including Final Victory (Liam Keniry) in the Great Metropolitan handicap at 15.55 (also now just a shadow of its previous self), while course specialist Holbeck Ghyll (Fortune) is another interesting runner for the yard in the 5 furlongs handicap at 15.20; he has an excellent record here, but has been off the track for a year. Richard Fahey continues in blinding form and sends several runners, including 3 in the City & Suburban Handicap over 10 furlongs at 17.05. Bullet Man, the choice of stable jockey Paul Hanagan, is presumably the yard´s main hope, but Alainmaar /Michael Jarvis/ Richard Hills) is regarded as better than a handicapper and can take this under top weight.

There is also a Derby trial at Catterick, over 1 1/2 miles at 16.45 with 5 runners. Gomrath (Mick Channon/ Kieren Fallon) and Tajaarub (Barry Hills/ Tagdh O´Shea) both won a Lingfield maiden last time, but the form of the latter´s race looks much better and he is the selection.

The other flat racing is on the all-weather at Kempton this evening, where the main event is a mile handicap for 3yo´s at 21.20. This looks quite open, but the two seasonal debutants Hypnotisd (Michael Bell/ Jamie Spencer) and Wallet Square (Roger Charlton/ Steve Drowne) look the two to concentrate on.

There is N.H. racing this afternoon at Perth and this evening at Southwell. Ngel Twiston-Davis is always dangerous at these Scottish meetings, and he can take the novice chase at 16,20 with Diablo (Paddy Brennan), who can make the most of the weight he receives from form choice Latanier. German-bred Quicuyo (Peter Monteith/ Ryan Mania), a brother to Quijano, has been expensive to follow this year, but seems to have found a suitable opportunity in the handicap chase at 17.30 and is given one last chance. Sam Thomas returns from a long injury break at Southwell and can win the opener on Tom George´s Overlaw at 17.45.