N.H. racing at Uttoxeter and Wetherby

Wetherby starts one of their top meetings today with two listed races on the card - a 2 1/2 mile handicap chase at 16.20 CET and a hurdle race for 3yo´s at 16.55. The latter event has 13 runners, 8 of whom have already won and the winner will have to be smart. Nicky Henderson already has his string in good form and sends Grandouet (Barry Geraghty), a 20 lengths winner at Enghien in April, while Paul Nicholls also saddles an ex-French runner in Domtaline (Ruby Walsh), who won by 25 lengths on his British debut. Alan King, who has such a good record with juvenile hurdlers relies on Jubail (Wayne Hutchinson). Bonfire Knight (John Quinn/ Dougie Costello) was useful on the flat and comes from a stable in great form, but has chosen a strong race for his debut. This should be an informative race, but not necessarily one to bet on. However we think that oldie Mister McGoldrick (Sue Smith/ Shane Byrne) has an excellent each-way chance in the listed handicap, despite his 13 years and t op weight; he is an absolute course specialist and has in his time run creditably against far stronger opposition. Frankie Figg (Howard Johnson/ Keith Renwick) and bottom-weight Neptune Questor (Brian Ellison/ Fearghal Davies) are the main dangers. The going is on the firm side at Wetherby, but is expected to be heavy at Uttoxeter, but as long as they can handle the conditions, we expect Philip Hobbs and Richard Johnson to win both divisions of the novice hurdle with Kilcrea Kim at 14.30 and Foynes Island at 15.35.