5 meetings today

There are 5 meetings today - 3 over jumps in the U.K., one in Ireland and in the evening flat racing on the all-weather at Wolverhampton, but none of them is very inspiring. The only race of interest this evening is the maiden race over 7 furlongs at 19.40 CET, which should go to Red Rhythm (Luca Cumani/ Jean-Pierre Guillambert), who pulled too hard on his debut. If he settles better, he should prove too strong for Mr. Emirati (Bryan Smart/ Paul Mulrennan) and well-bred debutant American Smooth (Jeremy Noseda/ George Baker). In Ireland it seems that top trainer Willie Mullins is coming into form and we expect him to land a treble at Thurles with Morning Supreme, a smart novice hurdler making his debut over fences at 13.45, Ballyhaunis in the 2 mile hurdle at 15.15, both partnered by Paul Townend, and Popcorn, ridden by son Paddy in the bumper at 16.45.

At Hereford the most interesting race is the 3yo hurdle at 14.00, which could be very informative. Franklino (Alan King/ Wayne Hutchinson) has already been backed for the Triumph Hurdle; he was odds-on for his debut at Aintree but could only finish third. He must do better today to live up to his reputation, but may find the debutants Rock of Deauville (Paul Nicholls/ Noel Fehily), - also a flat winner in the French provinces - and Admission (Sue Leech/ Paul Moloney), tough nuts to crack. Paul Nicholls´ Robinson Collonges (Fehily) was going like a winner when he fell in a good race last time and should certainly beat 2 moderate opponents in the novice chase at 16.30 (if he stands up!) but will start at an unbackable price.

There could be a German-bred winner at Market Rasen, as Dear Sam (Steve Gollings/ Tony McCoy), who runs in the novice hurdle at 13.40, was runner-up to the supersmart Cue Card last time and meets nothing of that calibre today. Descaro (Dean O´Meara/ Graham Lee) has a good chance in the handicap hurdle here at 15.40; he is handicapped on his modest form of last season, but has been much improved on the flat this autumn.
Paul Nicholls rarely leaves his local track Wincanton without a winner; Vico (Ryan Mahon) in the novice hurdle at 15.20 is his only runner here today and the tip should be taken.