Taunton, Wetherby and Southwell

Easily the best racing today comes from Taunton, where local trainer Paul Nicholls has entered quite a strong team. He held an open day for the press at his nearby Ditcheat stables yesterday and one of the horses shown was Pistolet Noir, a Cheltenham possible, who runs today in the handicap hurdle at 16.40 CET with Daryl Jacob in the saddle. Clearly he is expected to run well, but this is a very hot race and we expect German-bred Iolith (Alan King/ Robert Thornton) to score. He was taken out of last week´s Totesport Hurdle but has made an excellent impression this season by easily winning both his races; he has been put up 14 lbs for his latest win over this CD at the end of December, but we feel that he has plenty more in the tank. We still expect Nicholls to saddle 3 winners today - Qozak (Nick Scholfield) in the novice chase at 15.00, German-bred Dark Lover (Ryan Mahon) in the novice hurdle at 15.30 and Just Amazing (Mahon) in the hunter chase at 17.15. Another Germ an-bred who could run well is Vacario (Mark Gillard/ Sam Thomas) in the handicap hurdle at 18.20; he was well beaten behind Jordan on very heavy going at Folkestone last week, but the Acatenango gelding should get much closer to that opponent on today´s better ground.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Qozak - Shoreacres - Hopeful Start
2. Race: Dark Lover - Dineur - Glassawine
3. Race: Celtic Ballad - Kirbys Glen - Ilongue
4. Race: Iolith - Ciceron - Pistolet Noir
5. Race: Just Amazing - Pimbury - Ice Bucket
6. Race: E Street Boy - Chilbury Hill - Bright Decision
7. Race: Jordan - Royal Chatelier - Normally




The going will be heavy at Wetherby which should suit Pacco (Oliver Sherwood/ Leighton Aspell) and we expect him to win the 3 mile 1 furlong chase at 16.15. A German-bred who should run well here is Moon Melody (Mike Sowersby/ Campbell Gillies) in the handicap hurdle at 5.40. He was runner-up in a similar event at Catterick last week, and although he is out of the handicap here, his latest form has been boosted by the winner Bocciano, a winner again since. The best-bred horse on view today is Ebanour (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire) who makes his debut in the bumper at 18.00. He is from one of the Aga Khan´s best families and his dam won the Irish Oaks; he is aalso the only runner today for his in-form connections - only the bad ground could be a problem.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Imperial Royale - Dancing Partner - Toby Mac
2. Race: Mr Syntax - King In Waiting - Humbie
3. Race: Wheyaye - Oniz Tiptoes - Playing The Field
4. Race: Pacco - Pak Jack - La Pantera Rosa
5. Race: Hobsons Bay - River Dragon - Murrell
6. Race: Sun Tzu - Prince Tam - Pamak D`Airy
7. Race: Ebanour - Skirlaw - Here`S Hockey




The usual modest sport on the all-weather at Southwell this afternoon, including a number of recent course winners who can score again - notably Stanley Rigby (Richard Fahey/ Barry McHugh) who has top-weight in the 1 mile 3 furlongs handicap at 17.35 and has won four races here already this year.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: La Estrella - Stadium Of Light - The Oil Magnate
2. Race: San Antonio - Madame Boot - Nolecce
3. Race: Kummel Excess - Tawzeea - Cape Kimberley
4. Race: Reachforthebucks - William Wainwright - Pink Sari
5. Race: Baileys Agincourt - First Rock - Thunderway
6. Race: Stanley Rigby - Port Hill - Naheell
7. Race: Fastinthestraight - Carnac - Jackie Kiely