Taunton, Folkestone and Southwell

Three low-level meetings today, although the novice chase at 15.20 CET at Taunton has runners from many of the top trainers, including Nicholls, Hobbs, King and Venetia Williams. Our selection in Tasheba (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty), whose stable continues in tremendous form. He is making his debut over fences here, but was a smart handicapper over hurdles (easily the best of these) and if he jumps round safely, has an obvious chance. Henderson and Geraghty can follow up in the novice hurdle half an hour later with Secret World, third at odds-on over this CD last time, although ex-French Rock of Deauville (Paul Nicholls/ Nick Scholfield) could be dangerous. Guarino (Gary Moore/ Andrew Glassonbury), who also runs here, has a good German pedigree but got bogged down in the heavy ground last time; today´ s better going should be ideal for the Acatenango gelding.

The handicap hurdle at 16.50 is a very open race with 14 runners and plenty of possibilities. Sir Frank (David Pipe/ Tom Scudamore) has won 4 of his last 5 starts, but they were all in the summer and he is facing much tougher opposition this time. Henry King /Vic Dartnall/ Denis O´Regan) showed improved form to win over this CD 3 weeks go and must come into the reckoning, as well as King´s Revenge (Sam Lycett/ Jason Maguire), who is frequently placed but has not won for almost 4 years. Our choice is Karky Schultz (James Eustace/ Paddy Brennan), third at Kempton last time; the son of German 1,000 Guineas winner Kazoo ran well on his previous visit here and seems nicely handicapped.

Tony McCoy is riding at Folkestone, where his best chances would appear to be Master Milan at 17.10 and Valley View half an hour later, both making their handicap debuts and trained by Jonjo O´Neill for JP McManus. Gary and Jamie Moore can land a double here with Sire de Grugy at 15.10 and Swift Lord at 15.40, while Jamie can complete a treble at 16.10 on Emma Lavelle´s The Crafty Cuckoo, who has not been out since winning an Irish point-to-point a year ago.

At Southwell, Gold Story (Brian Ellison/ Dean Heslop), runner-up on his last 4 starts, can finally get off the mark in the 6 furlongs handicap at 15.30 and his team can follow up in the claimer over the same trip at 16.00 with Bonnie Prince Blue. Two recent CD winners who can go in again are Sir Louis (Richard Fahey/ George Chaloner) - who beat Gold Story easily enough last time- and Double Duchess (Paul d´Arcy/ Liam Jones) over a mile at 17.30.