N.H. racing at Ludlow, Taunton and Clonmel (Ireland)

The best racing in Britain and Ireland today comes from Clonmel, with two top races on the card. The Grade Two Clonmel Oil Chase over 2 1/2 miles at 15.25 CET has several of the top Irish middle distance chasers in the line up. Tranquil Sea (Edward O´Grady/ Andrew McNamara) is a reliable performer in this grade and is our selection. His stable is in good form, while Willie Mullins, who saddles Scotsirish (Paul Townend) has not yet hit form.

For the same reason we oppose Mullins´ Apt Manor in the novice hurdle at 14.25 and go for recent CD winner Our Victoria (Colin Bowe/ Barry O´Neill). The Grade Three Mares Chase at 15.55 can be won by Our Bill (M. Winters/ Davy Russell), who has won 6 of her 7 starts and looks destined to go to the top; she loves heavy ground. Two German-breds who could run well at this meeting are Quartetto (Mervyn Torrens/ M Darcy) in the handicap hurdle at 13.55 and Diaphas (O´Grady/ McNamara) at 16.25.

Tnton is Paul Nicholls´ locl rck and hus runnrs thre ar always worth following. Today he sddles four, ll woth winnin g chaces: the penalised Rebel du Maquis in the novice chase at 14.40, the German-bred Dark Lovermking his hurdles debut half an hour later, Pennellis in the handicap hurdle at 16.10 and Billy Merriott in the bumper at 17.10. All four will be partnered by Noel Fehily. With Ruby Walsh out of action for the next 12 weeks or so, Fehily is expected to come in for plenty of rides from the champion trainer, but Nicholls has made it clear that this is not a permanent arrangement, amd no jockey plans have been made for example for Kauto Star.

Nicholls could also have a winner at Ludlow, where the penalised Spock (Ian Popham) contests the introductory hurdle at 15.30. However here we prefer Nicky Henderson´s promising Cavite Beta (Barry Geraghy). Another trainer in good form is Philip Hobbs and his Rougham (Richard Johnson), who fell when still in contention last time, can make up for that mishap in the beginners chase at 16.00.