N.H. racing at Chepstow, Catterick and Bangor

Three jumps meetings today, two of them in Wales. Chepstow has the best card, and probably the best runner today - Join Together (Paul Nicholls/ Nick Scholfield), who goes for the 3 mile novice hurdle at 15.05 CET. The trainer regards this one as a Cheltenham possible, in which case he certainly ought to see off today´s opponents. State Benefit (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty) looks easily the best of them, but we cannot see him conceding 7 lbs to the Nicholls hope. Henderson and Geraghty should however take the novice chase half an hour later with Surfing, who appears to have little to beat. We also like Our Father (David Pipe/ Timmy Murphy) here, who can maintain his unbeaten record in the novice hurdle at 14.30, and Najca de Thaix /Jon Spearing/ Jamie Moore) at 16.40, who is in the form of his life at the age of 10; he won over this CD in November, and 10 days ago ran out a ridiculously easy winner at Leicester, for which he only carries the obligatory 7 lbs penalty.

There are only 3 runners in the main event at Bangor, a novice chase at 16,30, but all three have useful form. Wymott (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire) has won twice over fences and although he has to concede weight to the other pair, he is the selection, as he could also be Cheltenham-bound. McCain always does well at this track and could follow up with Youngstown (Maguire) in the 3 mile handicap chase at 17.05. He can confirm Sandown form with Ma Yahab (Venetia Williams/Aidan Coleman), from another yard which must also be followed here, and can already have taken the opening novice hurdle with Credit Swap.

No stars on view at Catterick today, where Malcolm Jefferson and Graham Lee could be the team to follow. They can take the stayers handicap hurdle at 15.45 with Mac Aeda and the novice hurdle half an hour later with Jukebox Melody. We also expect Heavenly Chorus (Keith and James Reveley) to complete a CD hat-trick at 16.50 here.