U.K. and Irish racing today

Very poor sport in the U.K. and Ireland today, especially compared to the goings-on at Meydan. However with the weather improving - warmer temperatures and high winds- there appear to be no problems with abandonments for the next few days. Wincanton has the best racing in Britain, and Nicky Henderson, still on the crest of wave, can land another short-priced double with Osric, in the novices handicap chase at 15.50 CET and Gibb River in the novice hurdle at 16.20, both partnered by Barry Geraghty. Both have to give weight away, but look a class above the opposition. The hunter chase season has now started, and the race at 17.20 has attracted some runners who were very smart in their younger days, many of them now coming off long break. Paul Nicholls is always a trainer to follow at this track and his Ornais (Ryan Mahon) could be the winner here, even though he has been off the track for 2 years. Halcon Genelardais (Alan King/ Mr. R.Jarrett), who has not run since the Scotti sh Grand National, and Moncadou (Jonjo O´Neill/ Alan Berry), last seen when runner-up in the Foxhunters at Aintree, also in April, are also of interest.

The N.H. meeting at Towcester is very modest. 12yo Kinkeel (Tony Carroll/ Lee Edwards) runs just about every week, but after a string of poor efforts, many of them in better company, finally won over this CD 11 days ago and can follow up at 15.10. Hobb´ s Dream (Neil Mulholland/ MJ Quinlan) is much improved and has won his last two races with great ease. However his rating has shot up, and in the 3 mile handicap chase at 16.10 we prefer the chances of Atherstone Hill (Robin Dickin/ Wayne Kavanagh), a recent CD winner getting lots of weight.

There are the usual huge fields at the Irish meeting at Clonmel. Best race here is the listed novice hurdle over 2 3/4 miles at 16.15, in which Willie Mullins holds a strong hand with Bishopsfurze (Paul Townend) and Skorcher (Emmet Mullins) engaged. Bishopsfart has to concede weight but has really come into form and is our selection, but Fists of Fury (Charlie Byrnes/ Davy Russell) also looks dangerous. The 2 1/2 mile chase at 17.17 is another good race. German-bred Catch Me (Edward O´Grady/ Andrew McNamara) ran really well in a big handicap over 3 miles at Christmas and this trip is more suitable.

The cards at the two all-weather meetings, Southwell this afternoon and Wolverhampton this evening, are very poor, but we would like to mention one of our favourite horses Cape Royal (Milton Bradley/ Richard Kingscote), who runs in the 5 furlongs handicap at 17.00 at Southwell. The 11yo has a career record of 12 wins and 40 places from 154 starts, and although his recent form is poor, he is always capable of springing a surprise in this company.