5 meetings today

5 meetings today, but easily the best sport comes from Newbury, where it is the first day of their 3 day Hennessy fixture. Main feature is the Grade Two novice chase over 3 miles at 16.15 CET, where all 5 runners can boast good form. Tell Massini (Tom George/ Paddy Brennan) has won 5 of his last 6 starts, and is the pick. Be There in Five (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty) holds Aiteen Thirtythree (Paul Nicholls/ Noel Fehily) on their running over hurdles over this CD in March and looks next best. Otherwise we expect Alverstone (Lawney Hill/ Tony McCoy) and Finian´s Rainbow (Henderson/ Geraghty), both highly regarded in their stables, to win their races at 14.00 and 14.35 respectively. Paul Nicholls possibly has better prospects, but at a lower level, at Taunton, where he saddles 3 runners, all with winning chances:That´ll Do (Ryan Mahon) in the novice hurdle at 14.10, and Organisateur and Prince Tom, both partnered by Ian Popham, in the handicap hurdles at 15.20 and 15.55.

Kim Bailey and Sean Quinlan are enjoying great run and can keep on the winning trail with Silver Gypsy in the maiden hurdle at 13.20 at Uttoxeter; she was beaten a neck over this CD last time by a horse that has gone on to win again. Donald McCain and Jason Maguire, another team doing really well, can land a double here with Predictive at 13.50 and Bled at 14.35.

"If its Thursday, it´s Thurles" is the saying, and German-bred Catch Me in the 3 mile chase at 13.35 looks the best bet at the Irish track. Willie Mullins has suffered some expensive reverses recently, but we shall be surprised if his Uncle Junior (Paul Townend) does not win the beginners chase an hour later.

There is flat racing on the all-weather this evening at Wolverhampton, where the much improved Jack Smudge (James Given/ Tom Eaves) can complete a five-timer in the 2yo handicap at 18.10.