Racing today in the U.K. and Ireland

N.H. racing this afternoon at Huntingdon, Taunton and Thurles (Ireland). While the ground remains very soft/ heavy in Ireland, it has dried out rapidly in England and the going will be much faster at the two British meetings than has been the case in recent weeks, so a few surprises are more than possible. The 4yo hurdle at 16.10 CET at Huntingdon is an interesting event, and Media a Luz (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geragthy) looks certain to start favourite; she fell last time at Kempton when looking the likely winner, and receives 15 lbs from the main danger Pantxoa (Alan King/ Robert Thornton). However we still feel that the latter can come out on top. The handicaps all look tricky; as a general rule, it is not a good idea to back maidens in handicaps, but we fancy two of them here - Ceepeegee (Colin and Joe Tizzard) at 15.40 and Tricky Tree (Pam Sly/CP Geoghegan) at 16.40.

Another maiden who could go well is German-bred First Smash (Milton Harris/ Jimmy Derham) in the novice handicap hurdle at 16.30 at Taunton. This is quite a hot race with Credit Swap (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman), hat-trick-chasing Arrayan (David Pipe/ Conor O´Farrell) and Highway Code (Richard Lee/ Giles Hawkins) all engaged, but the Monsun gelding, who could not act on the heavy ground last time, could well be underestimated. Another possible German-bred winner here is Olivino (Bernard Llewellyn/ Isabel Tompsett) in the claiming hurdle at 15.00, who appears to have only recent CD winner Chrysander (Evan Williams/ Paul Molony) to beat.

There are the usual huge fields at the Irish meeting at Thurles, and Willie Mullins once again looks the trainer to follow. Kiltulagh Queen, in the mares beginners chase at 14.45, and Lambro in the maiden hurdle for older horses, both ridden by Paul Townend, and Shifa, with the trainer´ s son Paddy in the saddle at 15.45, have good prospects, although none of them is likely to start at a generous price.