Chepstow, Catterick and Yarmouth

Three flat meetings this afternoon in the U.K. but no real highlights. Chepstow has the best racing, and Frankie Dettori is there for four mounts, three of them trained by Mark Johnston. Hajoum in the 5 furlongs handicap at 16.10 CET has an obvious chance on last season´s form, but has not run since November; Captain Carey and Our Piccadilly have good recent form and are the dangers. An hour later their candidate in the 10 furlongs handicap is top-weight Cairnsmore, a close fourth at Chester last time, and he is possibly their best chance. But Lowdown, in the 3y handovap over 6 furlongs at 17.40 should not be ignored, despite a poorish effort last time at Chester. Dettori´s final mount is top-weight Satwa Laird for Ed Dunlop in the mile handicap at 18.10; he has not shown much so far this year, but definitely has good prospects if back to his 2009 form.

Mark Johnston could also score at Catterick, much closer to home, where his best chance is possibly Alcalde (Greg Fairley), top-weight in the 11/2 handicap at 17.20. Half an hour later, Nicky Richards, better known as a N.H. trainer, can take another handicap over the same trip with That´ll do Nicely (Tom Eaves), who came back from a long break to win a similar race easily at Thirsk.

At Yarmouth, top-weight Wake up Call (Chris Wall/ George Baker), who ran well all 2009 starts, can begin the new season by winning the 7 furlongs handicap at 15.30. The 5 furlongs handicap here at 17.00 looks very tricky, but the two top-weights Love you Louis (John Jenkins/ Philip Robinson) and Whiskey Junction (Mick Quinn/ Jamie Spencer) should be involved; as the fomer seems best these days on the all-weather, our preference is for the latter.