Plumpton, Wolverhampton and Cork

The 3yo hurdle which opens proceedings at 13.35 CET at Plumpton sees an interesting newcomer - Comedy Act (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson), who was a useful flat handicapper for Sir Mark Prescott. With the stable in great form, he can win over sticks at the first time of asking. Johnson can follow up on his father-in-law Noel Chance´s Brackloon in the novice hurdle half an hour later; he looks very talented, although the unbeaten Skint (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty) is obviously a big danger. The best race here is the novice chase at 14.35. Medermit (Alan King/ Choc Thornton), 7th in this year´s Champion Hurdler, and American Trilogy (Paul Nicholls/ Noel Fehily) stand out on hurdles form and, if their jumping holds up, should dominate. There are several German-breds running here, but they are hard to fancy, with the possible exception of Sommersturm (Barney Curley/ Denis O´Regan, who has bottom-weight in the handicap hurdle at 15.05. Horses from this stable are notoriously difficult to assess, and this one has he has not been in the first 4 on his 12 British starts so far, but this task looks fairly simple and it should not be forgotten that he was 4th in the Union-Rennen in 2007.

All 8 races are Wolverhampton are class 5 or 6. In theory Steps (Michael Jarvis/ Jack Mitchell), after being placed on all 3 starts, should win the 2yo maiden at 16.20, but we prefer Quality Art (Gary Moore/ George Baker) who possibly has more scope for improvement. The two divisions of the 5 furlongs handicap at 16.50 and 17.20 are as tricky as usual, but John Balding and Luke Morris have two likely candidates in Yourelikemefrank and Sleepy Blue Ocean, both in excellent form. However we give slight preference to CD specialist Almaty Express (John Weymes/ Martin Lane) and Ballarina (Eric Alston Eddie Ahern respectively. Jezza (Vic Dartnall/ Steven Donohoe) beat Stormy Morning (Lawney Hill/ Chris Catlin) easily enough last time out, but the latter is now 6 lbs better off and could reverse the form in the 1 3/4 mile handicap at 17.50.

Cork has no races over the steeplechase course (not raceable) but the hurdles events look quite interesting. It is time that Willie Mullins hit form; he had a good winner here yesterday and today has two chances in the maiden hurdle at 13.15 with Sir Vincent, with son Paddy in the saddle, and Dare to Doubt (Paul Townend), while he can also take the maiden hurdle at 14.15 with Sicilian Secret (Townend) and the bumper at 15.50 with Paddy again aboard. Mullins has no runner in the main feature, a mares novice hurdle, which on last season´s form should go to Golden Sunbird (Paul Nolan/ MN Doran).