Ayr, Plumpton and Folkestone

Racing returns to Scotland today after more than a month due to the bad weather. The Ayr card is not particularly high class but the Scottish trainers are out in force, notably Lucinda Russell, who has runners (often several) in every race. Her best chance in our view is with Blenheim Book (Peter Buchanan), who has top weight in the handicap hurdle at 16.00 CET. However the trainer to follow could be Howard Johnson and we expect Rupert Lamb at 13.50, Fortysecond Street at 14.55 and Ascendant half an hour later all to run well and all partnered by Brian Hughes.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Lively Baron - Storm Brig - Tanzanite Bay
2. Race: Rupert Lamb - Fortuni - Lady Bluesky
3. Race: Elzahann - The Knoxs - Cool Mission
4. Race: Safari Adventures - Sibenek - Catch Bob
5. Race: Worth A King`S - Grandad Bill - Stopped Out
6. Race: Blenheim Brook - Quacity - Sheriff Hall
7. Race: Border Flora - Too Cool To Fool - Vallani



Main event at Plumpton is the Sussex National over 3 miles 5 furlongs at 15.10. David Pipe is in good form and saddles two runners here - Master Overseer (Tom Scudamore), who won the race last year but has not raced since and is now 6 lbs higher, and Peut etre Sivola (Johnny Farrelly), who won a similar race at Fontwell from Kawagino (Seamus Mullns/ Andrew Thornton), now 6 lbs better off; the former probably needs even heavier ground, but the latter could be placed again, however our main fancy is for Whataboutya (Jonjo O´Neil/ Tony McCoy). He can possibly complete a hat-trick for the champion, as Nicky Henderson´s runners in the first two races Gibb River and Giorgio Quercus have obvious chances.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Gibb River - Extremely So - Mr Muddle
2. Race: Giorgio Quercus - Tullamore Dew - Norman The Great
3. Race: Invictus - Water Garden - Carribs Leap
4. Race: Master Overseer - Whataboutya - Rebel Melody
5. Race: Quetzal - Lepido - Black Phantom
6. Race: Ere Alfie - Sumdancer - Maximix
7. Race: Sir John - Tocatchaprince - Crystal Prince