Hamilton and Kempton this afternoon, Carlisle and Windsor in the evening

The usual Monday fare today, i.e. mainly very poor racing; easily the most interesting races are at Kempton´s all-weather meeting, with the final two races, despite small fields, featuring some useful performers. Godolphin won the mile conditions race at 17.50 CET last year and have a good chance of doubling up with two runners- Secrecy (Ted Durcan) and Sirocco Breeze (Frankie Dettori); the latter is the highest-rated runner and we expect that Frankie has chosen the right one. The big danger is Riggins (Andrew Balding/ Jimmy Fortune), not disgraced in a Group Two last time and before that runner-up in the Royal Hunt Cup. Godolphin also have prospects in the following 3yo handicap over 1 1/2 miles at 18.20 with Fareej (Dettori), but this is a very tricky race. The lightly-raced Sagamore (John Gosden/ Neil Callan) and Shubaat (Michael Jarvis/ Philip Robinson) clearly come into the reckoning, while Balding and Fortune are also strongly represented with course specialist Dromore.

The Hamilton card this afternoon is not at all punter-friendly, with some very small fields. It could be significant that Jamie Spencer makes the journey up to Scotland to partner Michael Bell´s Miss Chaumiere in the 3yo mile handicap at 17.00. She has not shown much so far, but this is a very modest race and connections will be keen for this well-bred filly to win a race. Spencer also partners Fujin Dancer for trainer Kevin Ryan in the claimer at 17.30 and he also has a good chance.

Spencer then travels on to the Carisle evening meeting for 3 more rides for Kevin Ryan - Nellie Ellis in the 5 furlongs nursery at 19.30, Sharp Eclipse in a handicap over the same trip an hour later, and Peters Gift in a 7 furlongs handicap at 21.00 and all three should run well.

Windsor stage their last Monday evening meeting of 2010 with some large fields of mainly moderate performers. Richard Hannon and Richard Hughes have easily the best records here, and despite some costly defeats recently, can take the 2 races for 2yo´s with Invincible Ridge at 18.15 - beaten a neck over this CD on his debut, but meets some well-bred newcomers here- and Takeaway, top-weight in the nursery an hour later, and also just beaten last time. Another top-weight, Absinthe (Walter Swinburn/ Adam Kirby) can take the 10 furlongs handicap at 19.45, after winning cosily at Sandown last time.