Southwell (a.w.), Wolverhampton (a.w.) and Cork (Irish N.H.)

Easily the most interesting event of the day is the hurdle race at 14.05 CET at Cork. Only 5 runners but they include Sublimity (Robbie Hennessy/ Andrew Lynch), winner of the Champion Hurdle 4 years ago, the veteran Newmill (James Dullea/ EFPower), in his prime a top 2 mile chaser, and the up and coming On the Way Out (Jon Kiely/ Paul Carberry), only beaten neck when runner-up to Jumbo Rio last week.

Obviously Sublimity at his best would win this, but we were quite taken with On the Way Out´s performance last week so he is the selection. With the Dermot Weld stable in good form, we expect his Duc de Savoie (Robbie McNamara) to take a competitive maiden hurdle at 14.40, while Willie Mullins looks highly likely to take the mares beginners chase at 16.15. Indeed his two runners Morning Supreme (Paul Townend) and Killultagh Queen (David Casey) can take the first two places.

The quality of racing at the two all-weather tracks today is very poor. Ours (John Harris/ Barry McHugh) was an easy winner yesterday over this CD at Southwell, and if he turns out again can follow up under a penalty in the mile handicap at 15.45; if he misses the race, Snow Bay (David Nicholls/ Matt O´Connell) and El Dececy (John Balding/ Adam Kirby) look the most likely to take advantage. At Wolverhampton it is sad to see one-time group performer Munsef (Ian Williams/ Jamie Spencer) line up in a claiming race at 16.35. Theoretically he should win by miles, but he seems to have totally lost his form.