N.H. racing at Chepstow, Warwick and Fairyhouse (Ireland)

After riding a double at Exeter yesterday for Paul Nicholls, Ruby Walsh has stayed on in the U.K., and has 3 more rides for the champion trainer at Chepstow this afternoon. Sonofvic, last seen winning a point to point in March, and Teshali, who won 3 races on the flat in France for the Aga Khan, have obvious claims in the maiden hurdles races at 14.05 and 15.10 CET, but the interesting one is Nodforms Paula (despite the feminine name, a gelding), who runs in the handicap hurdle over 3 miles at 16.20. He was a very promising novice 3 years ago, but has not run since, and it may be more prudent to stick with runners with more recent form, such as last-time-out winners Young Albert (Charlie Longsdon/ Felix de Giles), Go Amwell (John Jenkins/ Timmy Murphy) and Rhum (Nigel Twiston-Davies/ Paddy Brennan), or even better Pavillon Bleu (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson).

The best race at Warwick is the 2 mile novice chase at 15.35, which should go to the useful hurdler Dan Breen (David Pipe/ Tom Scudamore), with Shadow Dancer (Jonjo O´Neill/ RP McLernon) the main danger. The latter´s team can in any case take the novice hurdle at 16.10 with Hear My Song, who was staying on strongly when runner-up last time and should have no problems with the longer trip here.

Most of the top jockeys are at Chepstow, so it is surprising to see Barry Geraghty riding at a low-level meeting at Fairyhouse. He can win the maiden hurdle at 15.25 on Colm Murphy´s Got Options, while we expect First Lieutenant (Mouse Morris/ Davy Russell) to take the novice hurdle at 14.50.