Hereford, Catterick and Thurles

a full programme today with N.H. racing and Hereford and Catterick and in Ireland at Thurles, while there is flat racing on the all-weather this afternoon at Southwell and this evening at Kempton.However by far the best racing is in in Dubai, where the International Racing Carnival starts today at Meydan. At Hereford, Paul Nicholls introduces a couple of British debutants, whose form is not easy to decipher, but are quite probably capable of winning first time out. They are Minella Stars (Harry Skelton), who had good Irish point-.to-point form, in the maiden hurdle at 15.10 CT, and Symphonick (Nick Scholfield), a winnet in the French provinces, in the handicap chase at 16.40. The ground is expected to ride very heavy, and we expect Hobb´s Dream (Neil Mulholland/ Mick Quinlan), who won a similar race at Lingfield last week, to score again, while Silver Footnote (Emma Lavelle/ Sam Thomas) is another who can follow up a recent win at 1.40. Ex-German group winner Fight Club (Bern ard Llewellyn/ Isabell Tompsett) has been very disappointing so far in England, but we give him another chance in the handicap hurdle at 17.10.

There are some big fields at Catterick, where the main event is the North Yorkshire Grand National at 15.20, a 3 3/4 mile handicap chase with 14 runners and very tricky. The 3 we like best are top-weight Rambling Minster (Keith and James Reveley), now reaching the veteran stage but clearly the class act in this field, course specialist Star Beat (Kate Walton/ Richard McGrath) and Zitenka (Tim Easterby/ James Hallidy), now better off at the weights. The Reveleys can also score with Heavenly Chorus, a recent CD winner, in the handicap at 16.20, but we would also not be surprised to see Overbranch (Malcolm Jefferson/ Halliday) run well here.

There are also big fields at Thurles, where Willie Mullins can land a double with Bishopsfurze (Paul Townend) at 15.25 and Lios a Choill (Paddy Mullins) half an hour later, both beaten favourites last time. Best bet here is For Bill (M. Winters/ Davy Russell) in the mares beginners chase at 14.25. She is a smart hurdler, winner of 6 of her 8 starts, and should also make the grade over fences.