Wetherby, Kempton and Wolverhampton

Three more low-level meetings today, over jumps at Wetherby and on the all-weather at Kempton and Wolverhampton. There are ony 4 runners in the novice chase at 15.35 CET at Wetherby, but it is still quite a tricky event. We go for Alfie Sherrin (Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy), who is expected to pay his way over fences and gets 6 lbs from his main rival Glenwood Night (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire).

McCoy also has a chance on Paul Webber´s A Bridge Too Far in the novice hurdle at 16.10, but Omokoroa (McCain/ Maguire), who fell at the last when still in contention last time, is preferred, while ex-French Sweet Sugar (Ferdy Murphy/ Graham Lee), runner-up in a chase at Auteuil when last seen in June, is another danger. Another ex-French runner who could shine on his British debut is Tigre d´Aron (Howard Johnson/ Brian Hughes) in the 4yo hurdle at 13.55, where the newcomer White Diamond (Malcolm Jefferson/ James Halliday) is also a possible contender.

The best race at Kempton is the mile handicap at 16.50, which looks wide open wíth 13 runners. 10yo Jake the Snake (Tony Carroll/ Fergus Sweeney) is a CD specialist who can never be left out of calculations despite top weight, which he shares with Alhaban (Ron Harris/ Luke Morris), a good third at Lingfield last time to Brave Echo, who yesterday beat much better opposition here. McConnell (Gary Moore/ George Baker) is going for a hat-trick, while Big Bay (Jane Chappell-Hyam/ Seamus Heffernan) showed last time that he is coming back to form and must have a good chance off this rating. The fillies handicap over 11 furlongs half an hour earlier could go to the in-form Catbells (Alan Bailey/ Natasha Eaton), who won nicely last week at Wolverhampton with this jockey in the saddle. However the ex-Henry Cecil Affinity (James Given/ Franny Norton) is extremely well-bred and would have excellent prospects if at her best after a 2 months break.

The most interesting runner at Wolverhampton is German-bred Querido (Gary Brown/ Liam Keniry) in the 9 1/2 furlongs handicap at 18.35. The Acatenango gelding has won on his last 4 runs over this CD and although he has shot up the weights in consequence can score again today. We also like Rhal at 15.20 and Captivator at 17.05 here.