4 meetings today

4 meetings today, but as is usual on a Tuesday, all at a very low level. At Leicester, Alan King and Choc Thornton might possibly land a double in the two divisions of the novice hurdle that open the card with Lord Liath at 14.10 CET and Invictus half an hour later. Nicky Henderson and Barry Geraghty are also possible winners of two races, with Lifestyle in the mares novice hurdle at 15.40 and Giogio Quercus in the novice chase at 16.10.

The latter fell last time out at Plumpton on his chasing debut when still looking the likely winner and has only to stay on his feet to defeat today´ s 3 opponents. For those whp like longshots, we suggest ex-German Amore Mio (Richard Phillips/ Warren Marston) in the 2 1/2 mile handicap hurdle at 17.10. He has been well beaten on all 3 starts for this trainer but has dropped to a very low rating.

Radharc na Mara (Jim Dreaper/ Richard McGrath) is a rare Irish runner at Sedgefield. She contests the maiden chase over 3 miles 3 furlongs at 14.30, but needs to step up on her Irish form to beat Silent Cliche (Howard
Johnson/ Brian Hughes). Best bet here is Charminster (Donald McCain/ Graham Lee) in the novice hurdle at 14.00.

Best race on today´s all-weather flat meeting at Southwell is the 5 furlongs handicap at 15.50. Only 6 runners, but all of them with chances. Our tentative choice is top-weight Arghanil (Kevin Ryan/ Phillip Makin), who has been running without much success in better company, but is dropped in grade here. An ex-German runner here is Batya (TB Coles/ Ian Mongan) in the mile handicap at 15.20. Her chance is difficult to assess, but this is a very poor race.

The ex-German runner with the best chance today is Der Spieler (JG Coogan/ Paul Carberry) who runs in the conditions race over hurdle at 14.25 at Navan. Since moving to Ireland, he has only won once in 12 starts but has been placed 6 times and should certainly finish in the money here. Sir des Champs (Willie Mullins/ Davy Russell), not seen out since winning at Auteuil last March, and consistent Big Game Hunter (Mouse Morris/ Adrian Heskin) are the two he has to beat. Othrwise there are huge fields at the Irish track (three times 30 runners!) and these races are best left alone.