N.H. racing at Doncaster, Ludlow and Fairyhouse (Ireland)

Rain is forecast at Doncaster, so the ground may be softer than officially reported. Nicky Henderson continues to saddle winners all over and has more good chances here. His Moose Moran (Andrew Tinkler), quite useful on the flat for Henry Cecil, was an expensive flop on his hurdling debut but can recover those losses in the 4yo hurdle at 16.10 CET. Tinkler also partners Wogan in the veterans handicap chase half an hour later. He has won twice here and clearly likes these flat galloping tracks; we hope that he can defeat bottom-weight Dark Ben (SGWest/ Dougie Costello), who made all to win at Musselburgh 12 days ago but meets better opposition her, and Il Duce (Alan King/ Robert Thornton), who was below form on his recent starts but is now very attractively weighted. Henderson and Tinkler also team up with the Queen´s Pipe Banner in the 3 mile handicap hurdle at 17.10. He has been off the track since October and is upped in trip here, as is Wild Desert (King/ Choc), so we prefer Quickbeam (Venetia Williams/ Sam Thomas), whose stamina is assured and whose trainer is in great form.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Master Fiddle - Raya Star - Lamb`S Cross
2. Race: Beshabar - Cool Mission - Benartic
3. Race: Moose Moran - Jubail - Comedy Act
4. Race: Wogan - Dark Ben - Briery Fox
5. Race: Wild Desert - Quickbeam - Pipe Banner
6. Race: Mister Apple`S - Breaking Silence - Offshore Account
7. Race: Blue Blooded - Malt Master - Allerton




Henderson can also be on the mark at 15.10 at Ludlow with another ex-flat horse who was a beaten odds-on favourite on his hurdling debut: Brunston (Tony McCoy), previously with Roger Charlton. German-bred Querido (Gary Brown/ James Davies) is another multiple flat winner in the field, but at a much lower level; however he could run into the money. Another German-bred with an each-way chance is Tora Bora (Brendan Powell/ Matt O´Connor) in the conditional jockeys handicap hurdle at 17.20. The best race here is the handicap hurdle at 16.50, which looks wide open. We fancy the lightly-raced maiden Rock of Deauville (Paul Nicholls/ Harry Skelton), who may turn out to be better than this grade.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Brunston - Paintball - Reginaldinho
2. Race: Font - Diktalina - Abstract Art
3. Race: Rileyev - Jeczmien - Papradon
4. Race: Rock Of Deauville - Chrysander - Scoter Fontaine
5. Race: Timpo - Earcomesthedream - Porta Vogie
6. Race: Battlecry - Takeroc - Good Company
7. Race: Hawkes Point - Swingkeel - Chasing Aces




There is some decent racing in Ireland, where Fairyhouse has passed an early morning inspection and stages two Grade Two races. To be frank, the 4yo hurdle at 15.05 looks sub-standard and should lie between consistent Fearless Falcon (Adrian McGuiness/ Andrew Lynch) and the filly Chaperoned (Jessica Harrington/ Robbie Power), third and fourth behind Unaccompanied in December. Much more interesting is the Bobbyjo Chase over an extended 3 miles at 16.45. Bobbyjo won the Grand National in 1999, and this race looks easily the best Irish trial so far for the Aintree spectacular. Willie Mullins has two runners here, The Midnight Chase (Paul Townend) and Arbor Supreme (David Casey), as does Dessie Hughes with Siegemaster (Davy Russell) and last year´s winner Vic Venturi (Paddy Flood). Bluesea Cracker and Oscar Time finished 1-2 in last years Irish National. According to the ante-post betting for Aintree, The Midnight Chase may have the best chance, but Vic Venturi is one of our favourite horses and we hope he can score here.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Fearless Falcon - Accidental Outlaw - Chaperoned
2. Race: Wood Lily - Stephanie Kate - Definite Class
3. Race: Good Time Donie - Marlay Park - Taking Stock
4. Race: The Midnight Club - Siegemaster - Vic Venturi
5. Race: Ballymak - Arabella Boy - Pontiac
6. Race: No Notions - Boxer Georg - Salsify
7. Race: Vesper Bell - Battle Bound - Well Regarded