N.H. racing at Fontwell, Hexham and Down Royal (N. Ireland)

The two British jumps meetings today are very low profile, with some small fields and few serious betting opportunities. This is especially true of Hexham, where it has been raining all week and the ground is very heavy. The novice chase over 3 miles 1 furlong at 15.40 CET could be the most intersting event. Only the Best (Ferdy Murphy/ Graham Lee) and Milans Man (Howard Johnson/ Brian Hughes) make their fencing debuts here.

They met over hurdles over this CD in March, when Only the Best won by 25 lengths, so in theory he should win again, but with the Howard Johnson stable in good form, it is possible that the result will be reversed. At Fontwell, the mares befinners chase at 14.50 should go to another debutant, Emma Lavelle´s Easter Legend (Jack Doyle), who ran in good company over hurdles. There could be a German-bred winner in the handicap hurdle over 3 miles 3 furlongs at 15.20. Top-weight Panzer (Donald McCain/ Henry Brooke) has won his last 2 races with this claimer in the saddle; he stays for ever and should score again; Vacario is moving up in distance, but has been running well enough and is nicely handicapped.

The card at Down Royal is much better and if there is a star on view today it can only be Araucaria (John Kiely/ Ruby Walsh) in the mares novice hurdle at 14.35. She was very impressive last time and is expected to go right to the top. Walsh also partners Willie Mullins´ smart Blackstairmountain in the Grade Two hurdle at 15.05; however he is held by Luska Lad (Shark Hanlon/ Davy Russell) and a more likely winner for the stable is Glenlo Abbey in the maiden hurdle at 15.35.