Leicester and Wolverhampton

Flat racing continues today on turf at Leicester and this evening on the all-weather at Wolverhampton. Leicester is a right-handed track and is thus the first to be affected by the new system which came into effect yesterday. Previously the starting stalls in the U.K. were numbered from left to right; this meant that on right-handed tracks, the high numbers were on the inside and often had a considerable advantage. The tracks most affected were Beverley and Kempton (all-weather), but also the round courses at Ascot and Goodwood. Now the stalls are numbered from the inside, as is the case in almost all other racing countries, so that number one is always on the inside rail. As far as the racing is concerned, the less said the better. Ryan Moore rode a double at Lingfield yesterday and can repeat this feat at Leicester with Robert Mills´Jacobs´s Son in the 3yo handicap at 16.20 CET and Richard Hannon´s Retainer in the conditions race at 17.50. There are only 4 runners in each of these races, but are still quite tricky, and Breedj (Clive Brittain/ Philip Robinson) is a definite threat in the latter event.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Jack Who`S He - Dougie Boy - Waybuloo
2. Race: Captain Dimitrios - Eternal Youth - Elusive Love
3. Race: Sadler`S Risk - Jacobs Son - Brilliant Barca
4. Race: Postman - Regal Rave - Silent Oasis
5. Race: Retainer - Glas Burn - Breedj
6. Race: Hunza Dancer - Sand Owl - Glyn Ceiriog
7. Race: Nimue - Standpoint - Merchant Of Medici


At Wolverhampton there are also small fields in the main races. The 9 1/2 furlongs handicap at 20.45 is quite a hot race, despite only 6 runners. They include the course specialists Black Coffee (Mark Brisbourne/ Shane Kelly), winner of 5 of his last 8 starts, all over this CD, and unlucky last time, and John Potts (Brian Baugh/ Kelly Harrison), who has won 6 races over this CD since December. However strictly speaking, Strong Vigilence (Michael Bell/ Jamie Spencer) should win this; he beat John Potts easily enough when they met here a month ago and is now better off at the weights.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Lord Avon - Sugar Beet - Second Encore
2. Race: Broughtons Paradis - Blackstone Vegas - Barbirolli
3. Race: Take Your Partner - Da Ponte - Consistant
4. Race: My Love Fajer - Invincible Hero - Royal Bajan
5. Race: Strong Vigilance - Black Coffee - John Potts
6. Race: Jack Rackham - Mottley Crewe - Tasmeem
7. Race: Empress Leizu - Lilli Palmer - Kathleen Kennet

N.H. racing at Ludlow and Cork (Ireland)

The jumps racing today is also very low-key, although there are huge fields at Cork, where there is an all-hurdles card (including a Fegentri race). High Cian (Tony Martin/ Ruby Walsh) was a beaten favourite on both his last visits to this track, perhaps he can make it third time lucky at 17.25 CET today. Maturus Ardor (M. Winters/ JP Holly), a German-bred by Silvano, has shown glimpses of ability and could run well in the handicap half an hour later, and the same goes for High Desert (Arthur Noore/ Andrew McNamara), by Next Desert, at 18.25.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Baily Green - Marlos Moment - Caheronaun
2. Race: Molko Jack - Rough Times - Viaduct Bud
3. Race: Bog Warrior - American Touch - Shannon Spirit
4. Race: Doctor Deejay - Raz De Maree - Vics Canvas
5. Race: Mantell - Epic Hero - Saddler`S Best
6. Race: Garryncurra - Zara - Andunowhat


At Ludlow, Nigel Twiston-Davis could be the trainer to follow. He saddles two runners in the handicap hurdle at 16.35, Mad Moose, with his younger son Willie in the saddle and a very easy winner last time, end Briefcase, the mount of stable jockey Paddy Brennan; both could run well, although Havingotascoobydoo (Martin Keighley/ Warren Marston) is an obvious threat. In the following handicap chase, Twiston-Davis puts up his elder son Sam on top-weight Leamington Lad; he was tailed off last time and had been pulled up on his 3 previous starts, but if one goes back further, he has plenty of form in the book to give him a chance in this weak company. Course specialist The Snail (Evan Williams/ Paul Moloney), who won this race last year, is a danger, as well as Azulada Bay (Mark Rimell/ Jason Maguire), an easy winner here over a longer trip when last seen in November.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Seren Cwmtudu - Kaituna - Kings Queen
2. Race: Cottage Flyer - Fahrisee - Thumbs Up
3. Race: Mad Moose - Havingotascoobydo - Kasbadali
4. Race: Restezen D`Armor - Up To The Mark - Azulada Bay
5. Race: Taroum - Count Of Tuscany - Supernoverre
6. Race: Otage De Brion - Cedrus Libani - Double Mead
7. Race: Sizing India - Castle Conflict - Parsnip Pete

Flat season starts today!

Today marks the official start to the British flat season, with Catterick staging the first racing on turf this year. Catterick is far from the most glamorous track and frankly, today´s card is really a very poor start to the season. Punters would be well advised to leave this card alone, as most of the form goes back to last autumn, while recent form on the all-weather or over jumps does not always apply to turf racing. That said, we rather fancy that trainer Dale O´Meara and his apprentice Sean Levey (ex- Aidan O´Brien) can take the first two races with Fashion Icon at 15.20 CET and Trans Sonic half an hour later, both of whom have good CD form and are fit from the all-weather. The Oil Magnate (Michael Dods/ Freddie Tylicki), who missed almost all of 2009/10, also has a chance in the handicap over 1 1/2 miles at 16.20.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Ballarina - Radiator Rooney - Kyzer Chief
2. Race: Trans Sonic - Smalljohn - So Bazaar
3. Race: Kiama Bay - Pertemps Networks - Mason Hindmarsh
4. Race: Thrust Control - Fremen - Royal Dignitary
5. Race: Sinadinou - Philharmonic Hall - Another Wise Kid
6. Race: Puy D`Arnac - Danceintothelight - Flora`S Pride
7. Race: Ezzles - Tancred Spirit - Georgian Silver




Most of the top jockeys will be in action at Lingfield, including Kieren Fallon, Tom Queally and Ryan Moore, who can land a double for Richard Hannon with Deauville Post at 17.30 and Choral half an hour later. Paul Henagan, who rides in the first two races here, shows that he is serious about defending his status as champion jockey by also riding at Wolverhampton this evening. His best chance there is Ed Dunlop´s Palm Pilot in the 3yo handicap at 20.00, but although there are only 4 runners, this looks a very tricky race.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Far View - Bold Diva - Thoughtsofstardom
2. Race: Miss Work Of Art - Choice Of Remark - Launch On Line
3. Race: Chantilly Jewel - Black Baccara - Commandingpresence
4. Race: Bonnie Prince Blue - Frequency - Waterloo Dock
5. Race: Tuscan King - Shaded Edge - Jonnie Skull
6. Race: Deauville Post - Camps Bay - Opera Prince
7. Race: Choral - Beautiful Lando - Spartan Spirit

Hereford only jumps meeting today

With flat racing now moving centre stage, there is only one fixture today with N.H. races - Hereford, where local trainer Venetia Williams can usually be relied upon to saddle a winner or two. Her best chance today is probably Quartz de Thaix (Aidan Coleman) in the novice chase over an extended 3 miles at 16.10 CET. He had no chance in top company at Cheltenham last time, but had won his two previous races. including here over a shorter trip, and can get back on the winning trail today. Ex-German Reginaldinho in the maiden hurdle at 16.40 also has possibilties, but here we just prefer Sizing Ireland (Nicky Henderson/ Tony McCoy), whose team can also win the opening novice hurdle with Dubai Crest at 15.10 as well as the concluding bumper with Little Fritz at 18.10. Another ex-German running here is Speedy Directa (Milton Harris/ Jimmy Derham) who goes for the handicap hurdle at 15.40. His recent form looks awful, but he has been dropped to a very low rating and could well run into the money at a decent price.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Dubai Crest - Swift Lord - Raya Star
2. Race: Chicago Alley - Only Hope - Classic Fly
3. Race: Quartz De Thaix - Balthazar King - Cottage Flyer
4. Race: Sizing Ireland - Reginaldinho - Thingathong
5. Race: E Street Boy - The Composer - Monty`S Moon
6. Race: Bertenbar - Rince Donn - Papradon
7. Race: Little Fritz - Franklin Roosevelt - Real Milan

Taunton, Lingfield and Southwell

More low grade racing today, but at least Taunton, the sole jumps fixture, is graced by the presence of Ruby Walsh, who has 3 rides for Paul Nicholls. Bold Addition in the novice hurdle at 15.20 CET and Qozak in the novice chase half an hour later, should certainly win, but the chance of Shacklesborough in the 3 mile handicap hurdle at 17.20 is less obvious. However the Ruby factor mans that he is likely to start favourite.

Paul Nicholls has booked the claimer James Cowley for Teshali in the handicap hurdle at 16.20 and his good amateur Ryan Mahon for Earth Planet in the chase over 4 1/4 miles (!) at 16.50; the latter has never raced at anything like this distance before, but if he gets the trip, must go close.

Easily the best race at the two all-weather meetings is the handicap over 1 3/4 miles at 17.00 at Southwell. 7 runners hre and all of them in good form, including Parhelion (Derek Haydn Jones/ Jack Mitchell) who defeated Calculatung (Mark Usher/ Rachael Knüller) over this CD last time; at the reveised terms there is little between them. La Estrella (Don Cantillon/ Dane O´Neill) has an excellent record here and after a break of almost 2 years has come back this season to win 4 successive races, all here and 2 over this distance, but now meets better opposition. Mush Mir (James Boyle/ Steven Craine) has won his last 3 races, all here, but our fancy is top-weight Exemplary (Mark Johnston/ Silvestre de Sousa), who is going for hat-trick and may have too much class for the others. Ed Dunlop has a good strike rate at this track and can take the 3yo handicap over 7 furlongs at 17.30 with Ana Emarati (Jamie Spenser), an easy CD winner last time. Spenser also rides Karasenir for jump s trainer Philip Hobbs in the maiden over 1 1/2 miles at 16.00. This 5yo is making his debut in flat races, but is a good hurdler who is rated 137 over the sticks and ran quite well recently at the Cheltenham Festival.

There is also a 3yo handicap over 7 furlongs at Lingfield (great planning) and Mark Johnston can be on the mark here too with Kingscroft (Greg Fairley), who has won 3 of his 4 starts and is still on the upgrade. Bunce (Richard Hannon/ Jimmy Fortune) finished last season wirh 3 wins, but as a result has top weight now, while Conducting (Brian Meehan/ Martin Dwyer) is also dangerous, having finished 4th in a listed race here only last Saturday.

Plumpton, Towcester and Wolverhampton

very poor racing at today´s 3 British meetings and also some very small fields, especially at the all-weather meeting at Wolverhampton where only 3 have been declared for the "best" race of the day, a 3yo handicap over 6 furlongs at 17.50 CET. Joe le Taxi (Mark Johnston/ Greg Fairley) has won 3 of his 4 starts in 2011, including this CD, and looks hard to beat. The danger is obviously Tom Sawyer (Julie Camacho/ Paul Hanagan), who ran in good company last season when trained by Aidan O´Brien. However he has been off since the York August meeting and we cannot imagine he can give 15 lbs to Joe le Taxi. Certainty of the day is Hamdan al Maktoum´s Wiqaala (Ed Dunlop/ Richard Hills) in the 7 furlongs maiden at 15.50; as a 3yo filly she gets all the allowances and when last seen was a neck runner-up at Newbury in September against much better opposition; however her price is likely to reflect this.

Trainer Alan King and his stable jockey Choc Thornton look the team to follow at Towcester. They have 3 runners and all of them have a winning chance- Araldur in the novice hurdle at 16.30, Lidar, who has top-weight in the handicap hurdle an hour later, and No Substitute in the bumper another hour later. German-bred Guarino (Gary and Josh Moore) is an interesting runner in the handicap hurdle which opens the card at 15.30. The Acatenango gelding has been unplaced on all his British starts, but now starts handicapping off a very lenient mark.

The racing at Plumpton today is best forgotten- it is extremely short on both quality and quantity. Mick Channon rarely sends runners over jumps, but Leitzu (Will Kennedy), who runs in his own colours, should win the opening maiden hurdle at 15.10, while the novice handicap chase half an hour later could go to King of Leon (Emma Lavelle/ Jack Doyle), now back in distance. Alan King should also have a winner here, courtesy of Shrewd Investment (Charlie Huxley) in the conditional jockeys handicap hurdle at 17.10; the inconsistent Lemon Silk (Andrew Hales/ Peter Carberry) is the danger.

N.H. racing at Wincanton, Hexham and Downpatrick (Ireland)

Mainly small fields at Wincanton today, with odds-on favourites in several races. Paint the Clouds (Warren Greatrex/ Tony McCoy), is the form choice in the novice hurdle at 16.55 CET at Wincanton, but Fire and Rain (Emma Lavelle/ Sam Thomas) looks the most interesting contender here; this one-time classic hope for Aidan O´Brien has not run for 20 months, but his earlier form gives him a great chance. Best bet here is Waldvogel (Nicky Richards/ McCoy) in the opening novice hurdle at 15.25; he has a great German pedigree - his dam Wurftaube was a multiple group winner, and was a very slick winner over hurdles at Musselburgh last time.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Flinty Bay - Vivaldi - Endeavor
2. Race: Attaglance - Hobsons Bay - Dizzy River
3. Race: Silent Cliche - City Of Doral - Final Veto
4. Race: Golfer`S Crossing - River Dragon - Rolecarr
5. Race: Lua De Itapoan - Eyre Square - Senor Alco
6. Race: Copper`S Gold - Ballymacduff - Lockstown
7. Race: Boston Bob - Plenmeller - Thirty Days Out
8. Race: Bygones Sovereign - Pudsey House - Victor Hewgo


Richards can also take the opening race at Hexham, another novice hurdle, with Flinty Bay, ridden by Fearghal Davis. The handicap hurdle here at 16.40 is more open, but we expect Golfers Crossing (Lucinda Russell/ Campbell Gillies) and River Dragon (Neil Bycroft/ Brian Toomey) to be involved in the finish. Both of them showed improved form last time to easily win the first race of their careers and should imprive further.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Waldvogel - Midnight Opera - Murdoch
2. Race: Trooper Clarence - January - Catholic Hill
3. Race: Choumakeur - Upham Atom - Marigolds Way
4. Race: Paint The Clouds - Fire And Rain - Peedeeque
5. Race: Goring One - Magic Marmalade - Ban Uisce
6. Race: The Fox`S Decree - E Street Boy - Man Of Leisure


Best event at Downpatrick is the hurdle race over 2 1/4 miles at 15.50. Newmill (James Dullea/ Andrew McNamara) is 13 years old and not getting any faster, but should still be capable of beating these opponents. He has only won once since 2007 but has been mainly racing in much better company. Top-weight Wikaala (Gordon Elliott/ Davy Condon) and Fosters Cross (Tom Mullins/ Ruby Walsh) can follow him home.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Red Sparky - Akatara - Sun Disc
2. Race: Fosters Cross - Newmill - Wikaala
3. Race: Breeze With Ease - Fascinating Paddy - Magnetic Force
4. Race: Knocklayde Euro - Hoochie Mama - Information
5. Race: Norwich Flyer - Definite Appeal - Ballyhampshire Man
6. Race: Bless N`Ject - Erins Stage - Oh So Gogo

Classic trials at Leopardstown

Life is getting serious for the better 3yo´s in Ireland with two early season classic trials (both Group Three) at Leopardstown, plus two very well contested maidens for the same age group. Unfortunately the colts trial at 16.00 CET has cut up badly, with only 4 runners. Aidan O´Brien, whose string is more forward than usual, runs Exodus (Seamus Heffernan) instead of the much higher rated Roderic O´Connor and on 2yo form he should not beat Dunboyne Express (Kevin Prendergast/ Declan McDonogh), who was 5th in the Racing Post Trophy last time. Cocozza (John Ox/ Johnny Murtagh) won maiden at Cork last season in very promising style; this is a big step up, but he could be the one to take out of this race.

There is a much bigger field in the fillies race an hour later, with both O´Brien and Oxx fielding 3 runners. Oxx´ best is surely History Note, the mount of stable jockey Murtagh, but the pecking order of O´Brien´s jockeys is still unclear. Possibly Wild Wind (Colm O´Donoghue) is the choice; she is officially German-bred, although there is nothing German about her pedigree. It is highly unusual for a small owner and trainer to defeat the big battalions in Irish racing, but Katla, owned and trained by dairy farmer John Grogan and ridden by Willie Lee, must have a good chance here based on her juvenile form.

It is quite likely that the 3yo maidens over ten furlongs at 15.30 for fillies and 18.30 for colts and geldings are better contested than the group races. There are well-bred types running her from the big stables - O´Brien, Oxx, Weld and Bolger have runners in both races- and while they are not races to bet on, they should be very informative.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Palinode - Wonder Of Wonders - Eva`S Time
2. Race: Dunboyne Express - Exodus - Cocozza
3. Race: Three Way Stretch - Parc Aux Boules - Solent Ridge
4. Race: Wild Wind - Katla - History Note
5. Race: Elusive Ridge - Broad Meaning - Pires
6. Race: Enchanted Forest - Brecan Boy - Haziyna
7. Race: Apache - Alayir - Casimir Road

Dubai World Cup

Racing all over the place today, but no doubt at all which is the best race of the day - the Dubai World Cup, the richest race in the world with a purse of 10 million US$, which be run over 2000 metres on the tapeta surface at Meydan at 18.35 CET. Although there is no superstar running today it is still an excellent field of 14 and very cosmpolitan with runners from the US, Japan, South Africa, Europe and of course the host country, represented by 3 Godolphin runners. Saeed bin Suroor has won the race 5 times and stable jockey Frankie Dettori is on Poet´s Voice, narrowly beaten here when apparently not fully wound up. However in our opinion he is best at a mile and this trip could be too far, amd possibly Monterosso (Mahmood al Zarooni/ Mikael Barzalona, who was a beaten favourite in last year´s German Derby but came back to form with an easy win here last time, could be best of the Godolphin trio.

US-traind runners have won this race 8 times in its 16 year history and of their two representatives today Gio Ponto (Christophe Clement/ Ramon Dominguez) is clearly the better. He was a close 4th in this last year and last time out was runner-up to Goldikova in the Breeders Cup Mile. he is clearly very versatile as far as distance and surface are concerned and looks certain to be involved again. Mike de Kock trains the two S. African runners Musir (Christophe Soumillon) and Golden Sword (Kevin Shea) both have been in good form at the Carnival and Musir, who won the UAE Derby at this meeting a year ago is possibly just the better of the pair, but neither should be underestimated. Aidan O´Brien has not had a runner in Dubai for 6 years - probably because of the rivalry between Coolmore and Godolphin, although both sides of course deny this. Now he sends over Cape Blanco (Jamie Spencer) who on the form book has an excellent chance. He won the Irish Derby and Champion Stakes las t year, before flopping on very soft ground in the Arc. A major share in him was recently sold to Dubai-based Jim and Fitri Hay and he runs in their colours. The problem here is that he only flew over a few days ago and is possibly not fully acclimatised.

Twice Over (Henry Cecil/ Tom Queally) was behind him in the Irish Champion but on the balance of his form he is best of the Europeans. He won the Eclipse and Champion (Newmarket version) last year and won his trial here is good style. However he ran poorly last year when he was drawn on the outside, as he is again. The British bookmakers make him clear favourite, but in our opinion he is no value at the likely price. Gitano Hernando (Marco Botti/ Johnny Murtagh) was beaten favourite in this last year. He has put up some great performances and has an obvious chance at his best. He is runnning his last race for Botti and will now be transferred to Herman Brown and run in the colours of evil Chechen dictator Kadyrov.

We have left the best to last - the Japanese challenge. The top horses from that country have shown repeatedly that they can hold their own at the highest level, and their 3 runners today are in great form. No filly or mare has ever won this race, but Buena Vista (H Matsuna/ Ryan Moore), controversially disqualified after easily winning the Japan Cup last November, could put this right. However she is also badly drawn and we are not sure that this track is ideal, so we prefer Transcend (Takayuki Yasuda/ Shinji Fujita), the best dirt horse in Japan, and especially Victoire Pisa (Katsuhiko Sumii/ Mirco Demuro) for whom everything could go right today.

Betting forecast:
2. Race: J J The Jet Plane - War Artist - Mr Gruff
3. Race: Skysurfers - Red Jazz - Zafeen Speed
4. Race: Xin Xu Lin - Mahbooba - Khawlah
5. Race: Rocket Man - Kinsale King - Euroears
6. Race: Presvis - Better Than Ever - Wigmore Hall
7. Race: Rulership - Deem - Rewilding
8. Race: Musir - Twice Over - Cape Blanco

Rest of Meydan

The rest of the Meydan card is also extremely high class, and with the fantastic prize-money on offer, it is no surprise that there are maximum fields in most races. The exception is the Golden Shaheen, a Group One on tapeta over 6 furlongs at 16.05 CET, with only 10 runners. Kinsale King (Carl O´Callaghan/ Rafael Bejarano) won this last year from Rocket Man (Patrick Shaw/ Felix Coetzee) but we reckon that the latter, regarded as the best horse ever trained in Singapore, can take his revenge today. Star US trainer Bob Baffert is very cautious with his overseas runners and his Euroears (Mike Smith) also comes into the reckoning.

The other sprint race, the Al Quoz over 5 furlongs on turf at 14.15, has 16 runners and looks open, but it would be nice to see German-owned War Artist (Rodolphe Collet/ Olivier Peslier), winner of the Goldene Peitsche at Baden-Baden in 2009, run well. The clear favourite here is JJ the Jet Plane (Lucky Houdalakis/ Bernard Fayd´Herbe), who won easily last time despite hanging all over the track. Earlier he had defeated Rocket Man in the Hong Kong Sprint, the best form in the race.

Premio Loco (Chris Wall/ George Baker) is our choice for the Godolphin Mile at 14.50. He won at Baden-Baden and Cologne two years ago and has improved further since. His main opponents should be Imbongi (Mike de Kock/ Christophe Soumillon), Red Jazz (Barry and Michael Hills) and especially the Godolphin runner Skysurfers (Saeed bin Suroor/ Frankie Dettori), whose outside draw however could be a problem. The 3yo fillies running here appear to be superior to the colts and a win for the so-called weaker sex looks likely in the UAE Derby at 15.25. Mahbooba (de Kock/ Soumillon) and Khawlah (bin Suroor/ Barzalona) have the best chances; Dettori who cannot do the weight on the latter, rides the ex-Brazilian Xin Xu Lin, who is very much an unknown quantity.

The European runners are expected to do well at this meeting and the two races in which they probably have the best chances are both on turf - the Dubai Duty Free over 9 furlongs at 16.45 and the Dubai Sheema Classic over 1 1/2 miles at 17.50. Wigmore Hall (Michael Bell/ Jamie Spencer) is our selection for the former event; he may have most to fear from River Jetez (de Kock/ Fayd´Herbe) and Presvis (Luca Cumani/ Ryan Moore), although the latter´s come- from- behind manner of racing is likely to create problems in this large field. Rookie trainer Roger Varian can get his career off to a dream start when he saddles his first runner Laheeb (Richard Hills) in th hema Classic; he only took over the yard of Michael Jarvis, who has announced his retirement because of ill-health, a few days ago. Rewilding (al Zarooni/ Dettori) looks best of the Godolphin runners, while Dangerous Midge (Brian Meehan/ Martin Dwyer) and Redwood (Barry and Michael Hills) are others with chances in what is probably the most open race of the meeting.

Betting forecast:
2. Race: J J The Jet Plane - War Artist - Mr Gruff
3. Race: Skysurfers - Red Jazz - Zafeen Speed
4. Race: Xin Xu Lin - Mahbooba - Khawlah
5. Race: Rocket Man - Kinsale King - Euroears
6. Race: Presvis - Better Than Ever - Wigmore Hall
7. Race: Rulership - Deem - Rewilding
8. Race: Musir - Twice Over - Cape Blanco

3 all-weather meetings today

There is all-weather racing this afternoon at Lingfield and this evening at Wolverhampton,while it is pleasing to see the Irish a.w. track Dundalk open its doors for 2011, with maximum fields in most races. Mark Johnston and Kevin Ryan both come over from Yorkshire and we expecteto see the former take the 3yo handicap at 20.00 CET with Old England (Joe Fanning), an easy winner at Lingfield a week ago. Tommy Stack as usual has started the season with a bang and can win the 3yo maiden at 21.00 with Miss Fairbanks (Willie Lee), but his other runner Pivotal Rock will need to show considerable improvement to defeat Barrow Island (Mike Halford/ Gary Carroll) in the maiden for older horses at 21.30. An interesting debutant in this event is the well-bred Gold Mirage (Jim Bolger/ Kevin Manning). The British all-weather races are much lower grade, but Norville (David Evans/ Cathy Gannon) can possibly make it 4 CD wins from his last 5 starts at 17.10 at Lingfield, while consistent Sir Geoffrey (David Nicholls/ Ian Mongan) can defy top-weight in the 5 furlongs handicap at 21.15 at Wolverhampton.

Betting forecast - Lingfield:
1. Race: Dorothy`S Dancing - Lisselton Cross - Sailing North
2. Race: Lucky Meadows - Baqaat - Jackie Love
3. Race: Perfect Act - Hinton Admiral - Bonnie Prince Blue
4. Race: Norville - Arctic Lynx - Qadar
5. Race: Where`S Susie - Wily Fox - Indian Ghyll
6. Race: Fanditha - Classically - Baylini


Betting forecast - Wolverhampton:
1. Race: Alfraamsey - Scommettitrice - Rhal
2. Race: Accumulate - Layla`S Dancer - Red Kestrel
3. Race: Sleeping Brave - Neytiri - Lynchpin
4. Race: Lady Ellice - Three Scoops - Beating Harmony
5. Race: Officer In Command - Midnight Strider - Lean Machine
6. Race: Wrecking Crew - Clearing House - Barton Bounty
7. Race: Sir Geoffrey - Baby Strange - Green Manalishi
8. Race: Oh My Days - Bandstand - Lady Platinum Club


Betting forecast - Dundalk:
1. Race: One Kool Dude - Snowflake Dancer - Bible Black
2. Race: Old English - Extra Steps - Elusive Express
3. Race: Enigma Code - Bubbly Bellini - Macnas
4. Race: Gleadhradh - President Lincoln - Miss Fairbanks
5. Race: Barrow Island - Gold Mirage - Mudalalah
6. Race: Lily`S Star - Mac Tiernan - Curl Cat
7. Race: Mr Pianist - King Of Aran - Isabellareine

N.H. racing at Newbury and Sedgefield

Jumps racing this afternoon at Newbury and Sedgefield, and the better sport comes from Newbury, although by the standards of this track the card is not brilliant. The opening maiden hurdle at 15.10 CET has runners from some of the top trainers - Henderson, King, Hobbs etc- but none of them look like stable stars and we think German-bred Wiesentraum (Lucy Wadham/ Dominic Elsworth) should have an each-way chance. The Next Desert gelding ran on well when runner-up last time at Huntingdon. Wadham has another decent chance with General Tíng (Leighton Aspell) in the handicap hurdle at 18.35. Otherwise it should pay to follow Alan King, whose stable is in great form. Ravethebrave at 15.40 and Patsy Finnegan at 16.50, both with stable jockey Robert Thornton in the saddle, as well as Raduis Bleu (Ciaran McKee) at 17.25 can all score for the yard. Hong Kong Harry also has a chance at 16.15, but here we prefer CD specialist Master Eddy (Sam Lycett/ David England), all of whose 3 career wins have come here, including this race twice.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Oasis Knight - Easter Meteor - Bless The Wings
2. Race: Flemish Invader - Max Bygraves - Ravethebrave
3. Race: Hong Kong Harry - Full Of Joy - Kasban
4. Race: Patsy Finnegan - Winterwood - Bai Zhu
5. Race: Master Fiddle - Bobble Hat Bob - Robin De Creuse
6. Race: Turko - Battlecry - Gallant Approach
7. Race: Cockney Trucker - Sunley Peace - The Cayterers




Two German-breds with each-way chances at Sedgefield are Moon Melody (Mike Sowersby/ Tony Kelly) at 15.50 and Bocciani (Dianne Sayer/ JP O`Farrell) at 16.25. The former ran badly last time but was not suited by the heavy going; on this better ground he should be thereabouts, while the latter carries a12 lbs penalty for winning his last 2 races but can still get involved. Othrwise we expect good claimer Paul Gallagher can land a double with Scriptwriter in the opening novice hurdle at 15.20 and course specialist Waterloo Corner in the handicap hurdle at 18.10.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Shadows Lengthen - Scriptwriter - Bridlingtonbygones
2. Race: Miss Tarantella - Zero Six Zoo - Echoes Of Dawn
3. Race: Priceless Art - Bocciani - Wadnaan
4. Race: Sitting Tennant - Lightening Rod - Catch Bob
5. Race: Jeringa - Oniz Tiptoes - Nelliedonethat
6. Race: Samizdat - Waterloo Corner - Exotic Man

Carlisle, Chepstow and Thurles

3 jumps meetings today, but while there are some small fields at the two British meetings, there are the usual large fields at the Irish fixture at Thurles. Willie Mullins, fresh from an excellent winning run at Cheltenham, looks the trainer to follow here. Killultagh Queen and For the Staff, in the two beginners chases at 14.55 CET and 15.25 and Up the Beat in the maiden hurdle at 16.55 are all partnered by Paul Townend and all have good prospects, while the trainer´s son Paddy rides Popcorn, another likely winner for the yard, in the maiden hurdle at 16.25. Paddy also rides the debutant Anonis for his aunt Margaret in the bumper at 18.35; obviously he is an unknown quantity, but he has a very good German pedigree.

There are only 3 runners in the novice chase at Carlisle at 15.50, but they are all quite useful. However The Knoxs (Howard Johnson/ Brian Hughes) looks the most promising and, if he can iron out his jumping, can win this and go on to better things. Also at Carlisle, we expect Samizdat, trained by Dianne Sayer and with her daughter in the saddle, to complete a quick hat-trick in the handicap hurdle at 16.25, and Lucinda Russell to land a double with Against the Wind at 17.00 and Quinder Spring at 17.35, both ridden by Peter Buchanan.

Alan King has his string in great form (4 winners yesterday) and can take the opening mares novice hurdle at 15.10 with American Ladie, with stable jockey Robert Thornton aboard. Their only other runner here ís Gospel Preacher in the bumper at 18.30, and although he is less obvious, he probably also holds a decent chance. Bernard Llewellyn usually does well here and saddles 2 of the 5 runners in the handicap hurdle at 15.40 - Form and Beauty (Mick Quinlan) and Lightening Fire (Isabell Tompsett), both of whom scored at the last meeting here. It would be no great surprise were they to take the first two places this time, with slight preference for the latter.

Betting forecast - Carlisle:
1. Race: Ouest Eclair - Lady Bluesky - Lago Verde
2. Race: The Knoxs - Sam Lord - Si Bien
3. Race: Samizdat - Classic Henri - See The Legend
4. Race: Against The Wind - Blackpool Billy - Bene Lad
5. Race: Quinder Spring - Ballycarron Lad - Baltic Pathfinder
6. Race: Ice Image - Wee George - Banoge


Betting forecast - Chepstow:
1. Race: American Ladie - Sara`S Smile - Bow To No One
2. Race: Form And Beauty - Lightening Fire - Won More Night
3. Race: Strongbows Legend - Victory Gunner - Silver Story
4. Race: Roudoudou Ville - Ready Or Not - Bushwacker
5. Race: Prince Of Denial - Bishophill Jack - Gilwen Glory
6. Race: Oca De Thaix - Back To Bid - Ultimate Limit
7. Race: Mike Towey - Black Thunder - Gospel Preacher


Betting forecast - Thurles:
1. Race: Killultagh Queen - Kilflora - Shane Rock
2. Race: Mr Nosie - For The Staff - Our Gar
3. Race: Launchpad - Ainm Spartacus - One For Joules
4. Race: Popcorn - Academy Rose - Funatfuntasia
5. Race: Jack Bene - Portrait King - Saved By John
6. Race: Harbour View - Burnfort Girl - Caffeine Craze
7. Race: Mr Pernickety - Fiery Oscar - Kings Army
8. Race: Streets Of Newyork - Anonis - Really Unique

3 jumps meetings today

Jumps racing this afternoon at Haydock, Hereford and Warwick, but the standard is very low in almost every race and some of today´s runners would find it hard to win a walkover. With the ground firming up all over, punters should take winter form on heavy going with a pinch of salt, and there could well be some surprise results. Alan King has runners at all 3 meetings and the fact that he sends stable jockey Robert Thornton to Warwick is a definite hínt and we expect "Choc" to ride several winners. The combination can take the opening maiden hurdle et 15.20 with Sweet Irony, placed third on all 3 hurdles starts so far, the 4yo handicap hurdle at 17.05 with Panxtoa, who has only 2 opponents, and the mares handicap hurdle at 17.40 with Tsarinova, who has Veiled (Nicky Henderson/ David Bass) to beat. Thornton can also take the novice hurdle at 15.55 with Richard Lee´s Highway Code, assuming he jumps better than last time. An interesting longshot here could be Prince of Dr eams (Ed de Giles/ Liam Treadwell), who is very well bred and would not need to improve much on the feeble form shown so far to score here.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Sweet Irony - Faultless Feelings - Rossmore Lad
2. Race: Highway Code - Grandads Horse - Strathcal
3. Race: Timpo - Rudinero - Feeling Peckish
4. Race: Pantxoa - Head Hunted - Pullyourfingerout
5. Race: Veiled - Here`S The Key - Mayolynn
6. Race: Motor Home - Citrus Mark - Ton-Chee
7. Race: Valdez - Cocoa Minnie - Thomas Crapper


Alan King can also score at Haydock with Nikos Extra (Wayne Hutchinson), who was a faller when last seen out in October, but has a definite chance on his best form, especially on this going. A couple of German-breds who might run much better here than their recent form would indicate are Los Nadis (Jim Goldie/ Richard McGrath) and First Stream (Howard Johnson/ Paul Gallagher) who both run in the handicap hurdle at 16.50, and Katapult (Kate Walton/ McGrath) in the novice hurdle at 17.25.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Maurisca - Youngstown - Marleybow
2. Race: Humbie - Thumbs Up - Glencree
3. Race: Grand Diamond - Miereveld - Bring Sweets
4. Race: Thanks For Coming - Tobago Bay - Maska Pony
5. Race: Hector`S Choice - Nikos Extra - Invisible Man
6. Race: Cantlow - A Bridge Too Far - Solis
7. Race: Ebanour - City Press - Crowning Jewel


The card at Hereford is the weakest of the three today- and that is really saying something! Alan King may pull off an across-the-card treble with Mister Chancer (Jimmy McCarthy) in the novice hurdle at 16.05, while Red Merlin (Donald McCain/ Henry Brooke), a decent flat horse who might make up into a useful hurdler as well, should take the opening race at 15.00.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Red Merlin - Behtarini - Paddy Partridge
2. Race: Kercabellec - Jack`S Lad - Chord
3. Race: Mister Chancer - Mr Moss - Persian Forest
4. Race: Showtime Annie - Sparkling Brook - Vintage Quest
5. Race: Molanna View - Master Somerville - Tyup Pompey
6. Race: Welcome Stranger - Jinksy Minx - Gainsborough`s Art
7. Race: Takeroc - My Way De Solzen - Good Company

Exeter, Kempton and Southwell

More low level racing today, with Kempton staging jumps racing for a change. Most interesting race here is the handicap hurdle over 2 miles 5 furlongs at 16.50 CET. With 13 runners, this looks very open, but we are inclined to giv another chance to Ostland (Charlie Longsdon/ Kielan Woods). The son of Lando finished runner-up on the 2008 German Derby, but has so far been very disappointing since being sold to his British connections. However the faster going today should improve his chances. Dangers include Gee Dee Nen (Gary and Josh Moore), who finished in front of him last time, Pere Blanc (David Arbuthnot/ Aidan Coleman - if fit to ride after yesterday´s fall), going for a hat-track but bumped up in the weights, and consistent Royales Charter (Nick Williams/ Daryl Jacob) off bottom weight. Another German-bred with chances is Cortina (Charlotte Dyson/ Ian Popham) in the handicap chase at 17.25, but the two to beat here are the top-welght, the remarkably consistent Bet abob (Nick Mitchell/ Mr RG Henderson) and Rileyev (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman??), who has won 3 of his last 4 starts, all within the last month.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Shuil Royale - Raya Star - Smart Catch
2. Race: Ratify - Psi - Lordsbridge
3. Race: Henry King - Basford Bob - Romulus D`Artaix
4. Race: Pere Blanc - Royale`S Charter - Sparrow Hills
5. Race: Rileyev - Betabob - Clouseau
6. Race: Decision - Rare Symphony - Souter Point
7. Race: I Have Dreamed - Silver Adonis - Jurado Express


Charlie Longsdon could also be on the scoreboard at Exeter, where he runs Hidden Keel (Felix de Giles) in the novice chase at 16.35. However he has little in hand of Pascha Bere (Nick Gifford/ Liam Treadwell) and the latter´s team could also take the following novices handicap chase with top-weight Theophrastus, who came back to form with an easy win at Folkestone last week.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Marino Prince - Ask The Oracle - Leopard Hills
2. Race: Laustra Bad - J`Adhere - Call To Arms
3. Race: Hidden Keel - Pascha Bere - Our Bomber Harris
4. Race: Theophrastus - Tarabela - Take A Mile
5. Race: Keenan`S Future - Kornati Kid - Over The Creek
6. Race: Mauricetheathlete - Flying Award - Torran Sound


The usual poor card at Southwell, where the best race is the 3yo handicap over 5 furlongs at 17.40. Only 6 runners here, but still quite tricky. Monsieur Jamie (John Jenkins/ Greg Fairley) has been in good form this year, winning 3 of his last 5 starts, all over this CD, but Even Stevens (David Nicholls/ Billy Cray) beat him easily before Christmas; he is coming off a break but also has an excellent CD record, while bottom weight Mazovian (M Chapman/ J Rogers), a CD maiden winner last time, could well improve past the pair of them.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Take Your Partner - Ridgeway Hawk - Elusive Love
2. Race: Kishanda - Long Live Love - X Rated
3. Race: Beau Fighter - Kingaroo - Ilie Nastase
4. Race: Kipchak - Eton Fable - My Mate Mal
5. Race: Monsieur Jamie - Mazovian - Liberty Green
6. Race: Kheley - Lets Move It - Simple Rhythm
7. Race: Surprise - Goal - Apple Dumpling

Kelso, Lingfield and Wolverhampton

three very moderate meetings today, with the best racing coming from Kelso. Jim Goldie always does well at the Scottish tracks and can take the novice hurdle at 15.10 CET with the weirdly-named Wyse Hill Teabags (Campbell Gillies), third in a much better race over this CD last time, and also has a chance with Pokfulham (Graham Lee), who has top weight in the handicap hurdle an hour later. The handicap chase at 16.40 looks wide open with all 10 runners holding a chance, but we shall try again with German-bred Quicuyo (James Ewart/ Harry Haynes). He ran really badly last time, and is in any case much less consistent than his brother Quijano, but is certainly capable of scoring in this company if in the right mood.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Wyse Hill Teabags - And The Man - Rathnaroughy
2. Race: Blackpool Billy - Rossini`S Dancer - Border Reiver
3. Race: County Colours - Pokfulham - Latin Connection
4. Race: Raysrock - Tartan Snow - Quicuyo
5. Race: Leith Walk - Everaard - Catleen
6. Race: Robbers Glen - Quotica De Poyans - Abragante
7. Race: Roger Beantown - Dome Run - Harvey`S Hope




The card at Lingfield is very low grade and winning form is hard to find. For this reason we make Present a Star (Sarah Humphrey/ Colin Bolger) is our best bet here in the 3emiles handicap chase at 17.30. This ex-Irish point-to-pointer was an easy winner on his first start for his new trainer a week ago in Plumpton and should be able to defy his 7 lbs penalty under bottom weight in this poor event.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Archie Rice - The Strawberry One - Spirit D`Armor
2. Race: Hildisvini - Junior Jack - Not Til Monday
3. Race: Goring One - Whatcanisay - Karasakal
4. Race: Mut`Ab - Stravita - Low Delta
5. Race: Present A Star - Duke Of Ormond - Ginolad
6. Race: Won More Night - Original Prankster - Ballyveeney
7. Race: Cape Breton - Mike Towey - Jackstown




Another German-bred who has become very inconsistent is Aviso (David Evans/ Cathy Gannon) who runs in the opening 6 furlongs handicap on the all-weather at Wolverhampton at 15.20. It is depressing that this one-time classic winner (Mehl-Mülhens-Rennen, 2009) is now running off a mark of 60. He is trying this trip for the first time and may be worth a small each-way bet. Another old friend racing here off 60 is 14yo The Tatling (Milton Bradley/ Robert Kingscote) in the 5 furlongs handicap at 18.20. He is chasing his 17th win, and possibly the last as he could be retired when he finally achieves it, and clearly has an each-way chance here.

Previsión para las carreras:
1: Wyse Hill Teabags - And The Man - Rathnaroughy
2: Blackpool Billy - Rossini`S Dancer - Border Reiver
3: County Colours - Pokfulham - Latin Connection
4: Raysrock - Tartan Snow - Quicuyo
5: Leith Walk - Everaard - Catleen
6: Robbers Glen - Quotica De Poyans - Abragante
7: Roger Beantown - Dome Run - Harvey`S Hope

Irish flat season opens at the Curragh

after we had the first French group race of the year yesterday, it is now Ireland´s turn with the opening of the flat season at the Curragh, with the Group Three Park Express Stakes for fillies and mares over a mile at 17.05 CET the main event. As group races go, this is a pretty poor race and it can go to Lolly for Dolly (Tommy Stack/ Wayne Lordan) from a stable that usually starts the season with a bang. On her 2yo form, when she won the Moyglare, Termagent (Kevin Prendergast/ Declan McDonough) must have a great chance, but she has not run since finishing 9th (beaten only 5 lengths) in the Irish 1,000 Guineas last May. Aidan O´Brien´s Gemstone (Colm O´Donoghue) looks the best of the 3yo´s here.
There is rather surprisingly a strong British challenge here and both Richard Fahey and Kevin Ryan have several runners. In the Irish Lincolnshire over a mile at 17.35 Ryan has 3 runners, including Steed (Phillip Makin), who has won his last 5 races; however they were all in modest events at Wolverhampton and Southwell, and on jockey bookings Blue Moon (Neil Callan), who has also done well over the winter, can be preferred. Fahey´s Our Joe, with champion jockey Paul Hanagan aboard, is a big threat, while the very lightly-raced Photo Opportunity (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen) looks best of the locals.
Fahey and Hanagan can start the day by winning the opening 2yo race at 15.35 with Lost City, owned by Sir Alex Ferguson, and they also have chances in the 6 furlongs handicap an hour later; however here we prefer Tommy Stack´s bottom-weight Blue Dahlia. The Madrid Handicap for 3yo´s over 7 furlongs at 18.05 is usually won by a decent performer and John Oxx´ only runner of the day Adilapour (Johnny Murtagh) could be the answer, although Qubuh (Weld/ Smullen) is an obvious danger.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Whip Rule - Pinkisthecolour - Lost City
2. Race: Rose Bonheur - Anderiego - Sun Queen
3. Race: Luisant - Libano - Blue Dahlia
4. Race: Lolly For Dolly - Termagant - Gemstone
5. Race: Photo Opportunity - Our Joe Mac - Steed
6. Race: Adilapour - When Not Iff - Eirnin
7. Race: Quest For Peace - Jolie Jioconde - Claiomh Solais

Midlands Grand National at Uttoxeter

after the excitements of Cheltenham, today´s racing is very much an anti-climax and for a Saturday very low-level indeed. The only exception is the Midlands Grand National over 4 miles 1 1/2 furlongs at 16.00 CET at Uttoxeter. With 17 runners, this is a very open affair and obviously stamina is the major requirement. One who certainly fulfils this is top-weight Synchronised (Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy), who won the race last year and has in the meantime also taken the Welsh equivalent, and he looks certain to start favourite. We are however not totally convinced. He has a huge weight and must concede at last 13 lbs all round, meeting many of those who finished behind him on far worse terms today. He is in fact 16 lbs higher than when winning in 2010.
Companero (Howard Johnson/ Peter Buchanan) finished well clear when winning the Eider Chase last time at Newcastle, form which would normally give him a chance here, however he finished so exhausted in the dreadful going that we are not sure he can have recovered from those exertions in only 3 weeks.
Our three against the field are Tricky Trickster (Paul Nicholls/ Ruby Walsh), an Aintree possible, Le Beau Bal (Richard Lee/Jake Greenall) and Halcon Genelardais (Alan King/ Robert Thornton), also a past winner of the Welsh National (in 2006!), who has been given a real chance by the handicapper. Le Beau Bal incidentally is by the late French N.H. sire Cadoudal, sire also of Big Bucks and Long Run, the winners of the 2 big staying events at Cheltenham this week, so stamina should be no problem in his case.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Beau Lake - Speed Dating - Lesanda
2. Race: Naughty Naughty - Golden Chieftain - Reindeer Dippin
3. Race: Synchronised - Alfie Sherrin - Tricky Trickster
4. Race: Cottage Acre - Stoney`S Treasure - Honourable Arthur
5. Race: Rossbrin - Royal Chatelier - Well Refreshed
6. Race: Howard`S Legacy - Ambion Wood - What A Warrior
7. Race: Valley View - Nomadic Warrior - Mrs Fawlty
8. Race: Grand Vision - Eastlake - Denali Highway

Rest of final day at Cheltenham

The remaining 6 races at Cheltenham all look extremely tricky, very competitive and with huge fields. The opening Triumph Hurdle for 4yo´s at 14.30 CET is traditionally a minefield for punters. All the usual suspects are well represented: Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls each saddle 3 runners. Of these we prefer Zarkandar, a half-brother to Arc winner Zarkava, who surprised his trainwr Nicholls when winning easily on his debut.

German-bred Local Hero, a brother to Liquido, won his first 3 races over the sticks but needs to improve further to figure here. Of the Irish hopes Unaccompanied (Dermot Weld/ Paul Townend) looks best. Nigel Twiston-Davies won the Foxhunters at 17.00 last year with Baby Run, ridden by his son. The horse runs again, this time with the younger son Willie in the saddle. Obviously he can win again, but we just prefer the Irish hope On the Fringe (Enda Bolger/JT McNamara).

Nicky Henderson has not so far saddled a single winner at the meeting, but his luck can change today. We expect his Bobs Worth (Barry Geraghty) to win the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle at 15.40, while he will also to win the final race, the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual, which is named after his father, who saved the track from financial ruin in 1964. He runs two here, Tanks for That (Geraghty) and Anquetta (David Bass), who both have chances; of course the other 22 runners may have something to say about that, as this race like the other handicaps on the card looks really wide open.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Grandouet - Unaccompanied - Sam Winner
2. Race: Alarazi - Alaivan - Ski Sunday
3. Race: Bobs Worth - Champion Court - Kilcrea Kim
4. Race: Imperial Commander - Long Run - Kauto Star
5. Race: Baby Run - On The Fringe - Dante`S Storm
6. Race: Sir Des Champs - King Of The Night - Qaspal
7. Race: Tanks For That - Anquetta - I`Msingingtheblues

Gold Cup day in Cheltenham

Today is the fourth and final day of a superbly successful N.H. Festival at Cheltenham, and today´s card is the best yet. Main feature is of course the Gold Cup over 3 1/4 miles at 16.20 CET, which has possibly its strongest field ever. The field includes 3 previous winners, who have between them won the last 4 runnings of this great race: Kauto Star (Paul Nicholls/ Ruby Walsh), who won in 2007 and 2009, Denman (Nicholls/ Sam Thomas), 2008, and the reigning champion Imperial Commander (Nigel Twiston-Davies/ Paddy Brennan). The jockeys are in all cases those who rode them to their success here.

A great deal will depend on the weather. The rain has so far stayed away and the track was riding on the fast side of good yesterday, but it is certainly forecast. The trouble is we do not know much rain nd when. Should the ground turn soft, that would certainly be to the advantage of Denman, while if it stgas th way it is, tht would hlpKauto Star. However logically neither of them should beat Imperial Commander, who last ran in November - no problem, he goes well fresh and loves this track, where he has already won 6 times.

The big danger could be the new kid on the block- Long Run (Nicky Henderson/ Sam Waley-Cohen); his amateur rider, whose father owns the horse, always rides him and is perfectly competent. Long Run is only 6, which is more of a problem - no 6yo has won since Mill House in 1963. More to the point isthe fact that he has not shone in his two starts at Cheltenham; his best performances have been at Kempton, a much different track, where he put Kauto Star firmly in his place in the King George in January. Long Run coulkd well win, but in our view thre are too many questions to be asked to make him a good bet.

The Irish challenge does not look as strong as usual. China Rock (Mouse Morris/ Barry Geraghty) and Kempes (Willie Mullins/ Tony McCoy) both go on good ground, but Panorama (Noel Meade/ Paul Carberry), possibly the best of th trio, needs it soft and may not even run unless it rains. However we do not believe that any of them can trouble the Brits and make Imperial Cpomander our selection to successfully defend his crown.

Rest of Cheltenham

We can certainly expect some Irish successes on St. Patrick´s Day and hope that German-bred Noble Prince (Paul Nolan/ Tony McCoy) can get them off the mark in the opening Jewson Novices Chase over 2 1/2 miles at 14.30 CET. He has been running really well on ground that was too soft for him, and today´s conditions should be ideal. Wishfull Thinking (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson) is the obvious danger.

The Ryanair Chase also over 2 1/2 miles at 15.40 is the main supporting feature and looks really tough with 12 runners, including the first 3 from last year Albertas Run (Jonjo O´Neill/ McCoy), Poquelin (Paul Nicholls/ Ruby Walsh) and J´y Vole (Willie Mullins/ Paul Townend). German-bred Gauvain has an each-way chance, but we like Albertas Run, another one that will appreciate the better going.

Two more German-breds with possibilities are Heavenly Blues (Ted and Katie Walsh) in the handicap hurdle at15.05 and Fredo (Ian Williams/ Josh Moore) in the Kim Muir (the amateurs Golf Cup) at 17.40. However these, together with the handicap chase at 17.00, are the toughest races of the day with over 20 runners and wide open.
The day ends with a new event, the St. Patricks Day Derby, a charity flat race at 18.15. This is not a serious race, but it is all in a good cause and the course has done well to attract Henry Cecil who saddles Plato (Lorna Fowler).

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Wishfull Thinking - Noble Prince - Robinson Collonges
2. Race: Chartreux - Sivota - Barafundle
3. Race: Poquelin - Kalahari King - Albertas Run
4. Race: Big Buck`S - Grands Crus - Mourad
5. Race: Aigle D`Or - Quartz De Thaix - Hollo Ladies
6. Race: Junior - Galant Nuit - Pomme Tiepy
7. Race: Plato - Super Collider - Fool`s Wildcat

World Hurdle main feature of St.Patrick´s day card

After yesterday´s bonanza for the Irish trainers, who won the first 6 races, there are high hopes of more Irish successes at Cheltenham on St. Patrick´s Day. However we would be very surprised if the main feature, the World Hurdle over 3 miles at 16.20 CET crosses the Irish Sea. This race is surely reserved for Big Bucks (Paul Nicholls/ Ruby Walsh), easily the best staying hurdler of recent years, who won this race both in 2009 and 2010. In fact Big Bucks has won his last 10 races and already beaten most of today´s opponents. One newcomer who might test him is the greatly improved Grands Crus (David Pipe/Tom Scudamore), who has won all his 3 starts this season very easily, two of them this CD. However a strict reading of the form still leaves him with a lot to find if he is trouble Big Bucks.

Both Pipe and Nicholls saddle one more runner, so that tactics may play a role, but Zaynar (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty) looks the likeliest danger from the home brigade. He has been a bit disappointing, but is now stepped up dramatically in distance.Still the Irish will be rooting for another win and Willie Mullins with 2 runners, Fiveforthree (David Casey) and Mourad (Pail Townend) seems to have their best hopes. It has been a poor meeting for favourites so far, but Big Bucks is one favourite who looks almost impregnable.

Rest of Cheltenham

As usual, the remaining races are all very difficult with some huge fields today, but we expect the Irish run of success to continue. In the opening National Hunt Chase for amateur riders over 4 miles at 14.30 CET, the stamina of most of the runners will have to be taken on trust, but Alfa Beat (Charlie Byrnes/Robbie McNamara), who has been off since September, and Chicago Grey (Gordon Elliott/ Derek O´Connor) are the two likeliest winners on form. There are 3 Irish runners in the Neptune Investment Novices Hurdle at 15.05 and it is quite conceivable that they will take the first 3 places, as Oscars Well (Jessica Harrington/ Robbie Power), So Young (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh) and First Lieutenant (Mouse Morris/ Davy Russell) have probably the best credentials in the field.

Jessies Dream (Gordon Elliott/ Timmy Murphy) and Mikael d´Haguenet (Mullins/ Walsh) are the main Irish hopes in the RSA Chase at 15.40, but Aiteen Thirtythree (Paul Nicholls/ Daryl Jacob) and Time for Rupert (Paul Webber/ Wayne Kennedy) could well swing this one for the home team.

The last 3 races, with 23+ runners in each, look extremely tricky, but we hope to see German-bred Kayef (Michael and Tom Scudamore) run well in the Fred Winter Handicap Hurdle for 4yo´s at 17.40. The Champion Bumper at 18.15 is almost impossible to unravel, with 19 of the runners having won last time out. The Irish traditionally do well in this, but our fancy is Knights Pass (Warren Greatrex/ Wayne Hutchinson).

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Alfa Beat - Chicago Grey - Beshabar
2. Race: So Young - Oscars Well - First Lieutenant
3. Race: Time For Rupert - Aiteen Thirtythree - Jessies Dream
4. Race: Big Zeb - Master Minded - Somersby
5. Race: Call The Police - For Non Stop - Aegean Dawn
6. Race: Plan A - Tenor Nivernais - Titan De Sarti
7. Race: Knight Pass - Ericht - Raise The Beat

Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham

the opening day at Cheltenham went off very well and one thing is clear: the Irish challenge is as strong as ever. Three Irish-trained winners yesterday and we expect more today, including in the main event the Queen Mother Champion Chase over 2 miles at 16.20 CET. There are 4 Irish runners in the field of 11 here, three of whom met at Punchestown in January, when Golden Silver (Willie Mullins/ Paul Townend) got the better of Big Zeb (Colm Murphy/ Barry Geraghty) with Sizing Europe (Henry de Bromhead/ Andrew Lynch) third. The going was very heavy that day and we would certainly expect Big Zeb, who won the Champion Chase last year, to come out on time this time. The fourth Irish challenger Captain Cee Bee (Eddie Harty/ Tony McCoy) is smart, but looks well held by Big Zeb.

The local defence is headed by Master Minded (Paul Nicholls/Ruby Walsh) who won this race in 2008 and 2009, but was well behind Big Zeb when only fourth at odds-on last year. He was not right that day, and is back in form this season, winning all 3 starts, but does not seem to be quite as brilliant as he looked a couple of years ago. Last time he only won by a head from Somersby (Henrietta Knight/Robert Thornton), who reopposes today, although tomorrow´s Ryanair Chase woud seem a better target. Somersby runs today as his owner has to go into hospital tomorrow.

Big Zeb used to have the reputation of being a dodgy jumper, but appears to have left all those problems behind him, and he is our confident selection to win the Champion Chase for the second time.

Rest of Cheltenham

The remaining 6 races on Cheltenham´s opening day are also fiercely competitive, with the possible exception of the David Nicholson Mares Hurdle over 2 1/2 miles at 17.40 CET. Quevega (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh) has won this for the past two years and although she has now had a long break, she is expected to score again. The card opens with the Supreme Novices Hurdle over 2 miles at 14.30 CET, a really tough race with 15 runners, 6 of them trained in Ireland. However the logical winner here should be Cue Card (Colin and Joe Tizzard), runner-up last time to Menorah (Champion Hurdle favourite later in the afternoon!) and otherwise unbeaten. Nicky Henderson saddles 3 runners here and they look the likeliest dangers.

The Arkle Challenge Trophy, the best novice chase of the season, follows at 15.05, and the grey Medermit (Alan King/ Robert Thornton) is the likely favourite here. However we prefer German-bred Ghizao (Paul Nicholls/ Timmy Murphy) and Finians Rainbow (Hemderson/ Geraghty), winner of his last 3 races.In our view the ground will too lively for Irish hope Realt Dubh (Noel Meade/ Paul Carberry), but Rock Noir (Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy) looks an interesting each-way bet at a decent price.

The remaining 3 races are all handicaps with huge fields and almost impossible to decipher. However we would not be surprised to see last year´s winners score again in two of them - Chief Dan George (Jimmy Moffatt/ Leighton Aspell) at 15.40 and A New Story (Michael Hourigan/ Adrian Heskin) in the cross-country at 17.00. The latter race seems sure to have an Irish winner, and Enda Bolger, who has a great record here, saddles 4 runners, all running in the colours of JPMcManus; L´Ami (JT McNamara) carries the first colours and could be the best of them, but Garde Champetre (Nina Carberry) should never be left out on his favourite track. He has won 5 times over CD, including this race twice.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Cue Card - Spirit Son - Zaidpour
2. Race: Medermit - Finian`S Rainbow - Ghizao
3. Race: Bensalem - Sunnyhillboy - Great Endeavour
4. Race: Menorah - Peddlers Cross - Hurricane Fly
5. Race: Garde Champetre - L`Ami - Maljimar
6. Race: Quevega - Sparky May - L`Accordioniste
7. Race: Quantitativeeasing - Definity - Divers

Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham

The most eagerly-awaited meeting of the entire year starts today at Cheltenham, where today´s main feature is the Champion Hurdle at 16.20 CET. Even after the surprising late withdrawal of ante-post favourite and last year´s winner Binocular, this is still an excellent race and 7 of the11 runners have serious chances. 2010 form is now represented by runner-up Khyber Kim (Nigel Twiston-Davies/ Paddy Brennan) and he ought to finish in the money again, although there are several newcomers, including 3 that ran here last year in the Supreme Novices: Menorah (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson), Irish challenger Dunguib (Philip Fenton/ Brian O´Connell), who was a hot favourite and finished third, and Oscar Whisky (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty), winner last time of the Welsh Champion Hurdle. All 3 are in good form, although Menorah, who is unbeaten here and has never finished worse than second in his entire career, is coming off a break.

Menorah seems likely to start favourite, although there is bound to be lots of Irish money for Hurricane Fly (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh), who looks their best chance. He has won 9 of his last 10 races and has beaten everything in Ireland, but his problem is that he has never run here nor raced against the top British hurdlers. He missed the last two Cheltenhams because of injury and this might tell against him. Course experience is a big advantage here and in any case, we feel that British hurdling form is better than the Irish.

The horse with the most impressive form figures - and after reflection, our selection- is Peddlers Cross (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire), who has won all his 7 races so far and scored here last year over a longer distance. He will be staying on at the death, no bad thing at this tough track with its uphill finish, and McCain has also entered the strong frontrunner Overturn (Graham Lee) to ensure a good pace.

The calm before the storm

With Cheltenham starting tomorrow, there is no point in expecting high-class racing today, and the cards at all 3 meetings are pretty undistinguished, with some small fields as well. At Stratford, John Quinn should win the opener at 15.10 CET with the penalised Palawi (Dougie Costello) and also has prospects in the handicap hurdle at 17.10 where he saddles two runners, Veiled Applause(Costello) and Folk Tune (Kyle James).

As the former rarely runs over jumps, we prefer the latter, runner-up on his last two starts. The handicap chase at 16.40 looks quite open, but we have a sneaking fancy for 10yo Commemoration Day (Charlie Longsdon/ Felix de Giles). He has been with several trainers during his long career, including Christian von der Recke and his recent form on heavy ground can be ignored; he is much better on decent going and has a good course record, so might run well at a big price.

Monsieur (CJ Gray/ Giles Hawkins) is another one who has been runner-up the last twice, and although he is no world-beater can get his head in front in the handicap hurdle at 17.20 at Taunton. We also expect Fiftyonefiftyone (Oliver Sherwood/ Leighton Aspell) to win the beginners chase here at 15.50; his second place at Newbury 10 days ago is good enough form for this.

Rileyev (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman) has been kept very busy and will be running for the 7th time since late January when he contests the handicap chase at 16.30 at Plumpton. However he keeps his form well and can defy a 7 lbs penatly for his win last week at Newton Abbot. German-bred Aconitum (Neil Mulholland/ Mick Quinlan) is a long standing maiden, but the Monsun gelding will find few better opportunities to break his duck than the handicap hurdle at 18.00.

4 jumps meetings today

The best racing today comes from Ireland, where Limerick has a grade 3 race at 16.55 CET and a listed race an hour earlier both for novice mares. The former event should go to For Bill (M Winters/ Davy Russell), who has won 9 of her 12 starts and should be a cut above these opponents. The earlier hurdle race looks more open, with 12 runners, but Willie Mullins and Paul Townend can warm up for Cheltenham by taking this with Dare to Doubt, an easy winner at Naas last time. German-bred Narima (Mervyn Torrens/Mark Darcy) is moving up in grade after an easy win at Navan but could well run into a place.

At Navan too there is a horse running of Cheltenham class - Golden Cyclone (Shark Hanlon/ Andrew McNamara), who runs in the novice hurdle at 16.10. He has won 5 of his 6 starts, and it will be quite a surprise if does not win again here, although Medical Card (Noel Meade/ Paul Carberry) is a possible danger in receipt of 6 lbs. The handicap hurdle over 2 miles 7 furlongs at 17.10 looks quite tricky. Martin Scruff (Gordon Elliot/ Davy Condon) seems certain to start a hot favourite after his very unlucky defeat last time, when he came fast but much too late at odds of 2-1 on, but he has gone up a lot in the weights as a result and is no certainty here.

At Market Rasen, Dineur (Alan King/ Robert Thornton) can finally get his head in front in the novice hurdle at 15.50 after being placed on all 4 career starts so far. Oldtimer Stagecoach Opal (Sue Smith/ Henry Oliver) won at Catterick last time and can possibly follow up in the 3 mile handicap hurdle at 17.25; he meets better opposition here but gets 23 lbs from the likely favourite Pegasus Prince (Keith and James Reveley).

We also expect to see some oldtimers dominate the stayers race at 17.05 at Warwick. Although the ground is drying out, the extreme distance of 3 miles 5 furlongs demands more stamina than is possessed by many of today´s runners, but both 12yo Fine by Me (JS Smith/ Gerald Tumelty) and 11yo Lavenoak Lad (Simon Burrough/ Nathan Sweeney) are CD specialists who could well run much better than their form suggests. Our main fancy here is German-bred Double Handful (Venetia Williams/ Harry Challoner), who has top weight in the handcap hurdle for conditional riders at 18.10; the 5yo, who led the field for a long way in the 2009 German Derby, showed better form last time and meets feebler opposition this time.

Rest of U.K. and Irish racing

There is also jumps racing this afternoon, at a much lower level, at Chepstow in Wales, Ayr in Scotland and Limerick in Ireland. The Irish track features an all-hurdling card, with maximum fields in most events. The likeliest winner here is Rigidity (Edward O´Grady/ Andrew McNamara) over 2 miles at 15.20. A useful flat performer for Henry Cecil, he made an impressive debut over hurdles and should not be troubled to follow up in this company.

There are mainly small fields at Ayr with only 4 runners in the handicap chases at 17.00 and 18.05, which should go to Work Boy (Sue Smith/ Shane Byrne) and Raysrock (Lucinda Russell/ Campbell Gillies) respectively. Circus Clown (Jim Goldie/ Graham Lee) has won both his races this season for his new stable and can score again at 17.30.

At Chepstow, German-bred Wendel (Venetia Williams/Liam Treadwell) makes his comeback after a year off in the beginners chase at 16.45. If he is anywhere fully tuned up, he can win this and his trainer can complete a double with Qrackers (Tom O´Brien) at 17.15; the latter has been very disappointing recently, but has been dropped in the weights and it is a long time since he raced in such poor company.

There is a good all-weather card at Wolverhampton, where the valuable Lincoln Trial, a handicap over 8 1/2 furlongs at 16.20 is the main event. Prime Exhibit (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan) was runner-up in the Lincoln last year and is being aimed at the big Doncaster handicap again. he has been off the track since October, but should be in the firing line, with Lowther and Norman Orpen the main dangers. Final Drive was in great form when last seen in the U.K. winning 6 races in November and December, but has been in Dubai, which may be a disadvantage. The listed race over 7 furlongs which opens the card at 15.10 is another decent race, in which Irish raider Duff (Eddie Lynam/ Fran Berry) is our selection.

Imperial Cup day at Sandown

Although the run-up to Cheltenham is mainly marked by modest sport, today´s valuable card at Sandown is an exception and there is some very competitive racing. The main feature is the Imperial Cup, a listed handicap hurdle over 2 miles at 16.00 CET, which is not only a good race in its own right but also offers the winner the opportunity to pick up valuable bonus if going in again next week at the Festival.

The Pipe family have always tried to take advantage of this and have taken this race, and also the bonus, several times. Their candidate this time is Arrayan, with the unusual jockey booking of Barry Geraghty. After two easy wins, Arrayan unseated his rider on the flat last time at Taunton when looking a certain winner. He is the likely favourite here, and in our opinion his handicap rating is too high for what he has actually achieved, and we prefer Pipe´s other runner, top-weight Ronaldo des Mottes (Timmy Murphy). The two Irish raiders Alpine Eagle (Jessica Harrington/ Tony McCoy) and German-bred Prince of Fire (Charlie Swan/ Paul Carberry), both owned byJP McManus, look dangerous, although they have been done no favours by the U.K. handicapper.

With 24 runners there are plenty of possibilities and in an extremely open race are short list comprises Eradicate (Nicky Henderson/ David Bass), Alazari (Lucy Wadham/ Dominic Elsworth) and Pateese (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson). The opening handicap hurdle over 2 1/2 miles for novices at 14.55 looks equally tricky, though Cucumber Run (McCoy) looks the best of Henderson´s 3 runners and it would nice to see Ruby Walsh ride a winner again - he partners The Reformer for Paul Nicholls. Our choice here is Risaala (Pam Sly/ Gina Andrews), who has been 1/2 all starts this season, always partnered by this very competent lady jockey. The listed bumper for mares at 16.35 in another open race, in which we expect the winner to come from the unbeaten trio of Baby Shine (Wadham/ Leighton Aspell), Zhakiera Spirit (Howard Johnson/ Brian Hughes) and Kentworth Grey Lady (Emma Lavelle/ Jack Doyle).

Highest-rated runner at Sandown is Starluck (Alan Fleming/ McCoy), 5th in last years Champion Hurdle, who runs in the novice chase at 17.10. He won on his fencing debut at Huntingdon in a satisfactory manner, but connections have probably made a wise decision in running him here instead of at Cheltenham. He has only 3 opponents, one of them his pacemaker, and it will be a shock if he is beaten.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Dynaste - Cucumber Run - Owen Glendower
2. Race: Mon Parrain - Five Dream - Prophete De Guye
3. Race: Arrayan - Via Galilei - Eradicate
4. Race: Zhakiera Spirit - Baby Shine - Swincombe Flame
5. Race: Starluck - Mamlook - Harry Tricker
6. Race: Craiglands - Peplum - Holmwood Legend

4 jumps meetings today

Plenty of jumps action today but again, very little in the way of quality. The day´s best race is the Grand Military Gold Cup over 3 miles for past and present members of the armed forces at 16.30 CET at Sandown. This once prestigious event, which used to be the favourite race of the late Queen Mum, is now little better than a hunter chase and today´s edition is virtually a rerun of the Royal Artillery Gold Cup, run over the same CD 3 weeks ago.

On that occasion Surenaga (Sally Randell) ran on well to score from Blu Teen (D. Staddon/ Jody Sole), woth Knighton Combe (Jamie Snowden/ Lucy Horner) 3rd, Scots Dragoon (Nicky Henderson/ Major Michael) 4th and Mr. Big (Chaarlie Mann/ Ollie Elwood) fifth. However the weights are significantly different this time, and we do not expect Surenaga to repeat that win on these terms. Scots Dragoon, a course specialist who won this race last year. will probably run much better this time, but our tip is Ice Tea (Mrs. McCain/ Lucy Gardner) who stays well and is best in at the weights.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Posh Emily - Olympian - Vertueux
2. Race: Marodima - Vinmix De Bessy - Owner Occupier
3. Race: Cois Farraig - Surenaga - Blu Teen
4. Race: Henry Hook - Sinbad The Sailor - Havingotascoobydo
5. Race: Turko - Mister Apple`S - Ultimate Limit
6. Race: Rebel Rebellion - Our Mick - Taoiri




With half the card at Sandown restricted to amateur riders, most of the leading professionals are at Wincanton, where we expect Tony McCoy to win the mares novice hurdle at 15.00 on Nicky Henderson´s Kells Belle and the novice hurdle at 16.45 on the same trainer´s Thanks for Coming. Paul Nicholls who always does well at his local track, saddles an interesting German-bred runner in the bumper at 18.30 with Suspect (Ryan Mahon). He was beaten 80 lengths on his debut, but is certainly capable of much better things and is probably the bst pedigree in the field, being closely related to Shirocco.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Kells Belle - Chilli Rose - Violin Davis
2. Race: Whispering Jack - Restart - Perkin Warbeck
3. Race: Noble Bily - Choumakeur - De Bansha Man
4. Race: Thanks For Coming - Bold Addition - Sizing Santiago
5. Race: Senses - Golden Games - Special Cuvee
6. Race: Jayne`S Crusader - Oracle Des Mottes - Master John
7. Race: Sizing India - Suspect - Buddy Bolero




Another German-bred we expect to run better today is Soprano (Jim Goldie/Graham Lee) who has top weight in the handicap hurdle at 16.55 at Ayr. Last time he finished well behind Vallani (Lucinda Russell/ Peter Buchanan) but meets that one on much better terms and looks a good each-way bet. Irish raiders are always to be feared here and we would not be surprised to see James Lambe and his jockey Robert Colgan land a double with Drumbaloo at 15.10 and Kingsmoss at 15.45.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Drumbaloo - Realt Mor - Rathnaroughy
2. Race: Cool Mission - Steady Tiger - Kingsmoss
3. Race: Beverly Hill Billy - King`S Chorister - Lewlaur Supreme
4. Race: Sundown Trail - Vallani - Bubbly Breeze
5. Race: See The Legend - Miss Abbey - Lahib The Fifth
6. Race: Lampion Du Bost - Garleton - Leac An Scail
7. Race: Innominate - Soul Angel - King Penda




At Leicester we hope to see course specialist Phar Again (Charlotte Dyson/ Tom Phelan) take the handicap chase at 17.15. All his 3 career wins have been here and he was just touched off last time; while he has been racing mainly at shorter distances, he also gets today´s trip of almost 3 miles. He could well complete an across-the-card double for his trainer, as her German-bred Cortinas has a chance of winning the handicap chase at 15.55 at Sandown with Ian Popham in the saddle.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Olympian Boy - Nous Voila - Red Law
2. Race: Swansbrook - Khorun - Society Fashion
3. Race: Mr Bond - Ponchatrain - Bohemian Rock
4. Race: Phar Again - Willandrich - Woodmore
5. Race: Courella - Double The Trouble - Bradford Boris
6. Race: Takeroc - Fairwood Present - Muhtenbar

4 jumps meetings today

Plenty of jumps racing today, but all at a very low level. Paul Nicholls usually does well at Wincanton, his local track, but his entries today are mainly out of form. One possible winner for the yard is Water Garden (Timmy Murphy) in the first division of the maiden hurdle at 17.40 CET, who has run respectably all starts and does not have much to beat here. The second division half an hour later could go to Stan´s Cool Cat (Alan King/ Robert Thornton), who was quite useful on the flat and could not act on the heavy ground when well beaten on his hurdles debut. The Monsun gelding Mawsem (George Baker/ Andrew Tinkler) has decent form and is the obvious danger.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Laneguy - Marsh Court - Guns Of Love
2. Race: Midnight Opera - Robin Will - Rayon Vert
3. Race: Silver Kate - Dover`S Hill - Earth Planet
4. Race: Midnight Appeal - Randjo - Bathwick Quest
5. Race: Chestnut Ben - Celtic Ballad - Rivermouth
6. Race: Water Garden - Spirit Is Needed - Management
7. Race: Mawsem - Sea Change - Sunley Peace




The trainer to follow at Carlisle could be Howard Johnson, who has runners in 6 of the 7 races and should go home with some winners. Jago River at 15.10, Tigre d´Aron at 15,50, and Top Dressing at 16.45 all partnered by Brian Hughes, have winning chances, as does Indian Groom (Keith Renwick) at 16.15.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Jago River - Alexander Road - Eyre Square
2. Race: Tigre D`Aron - Vivona Hill - Armedanddangerous
3. Race: Indian Groom - Lord Villez - Mister Marker
4. Race: Billsgrey - Copper`S Gold - Shrewd Investor
5. Race: Marlborough Sound - Texas Holdem - Farmers Cross
6. Race: Banoge - Sheriff Hall - Mighty Magnus
7. Race: Julia Too - Molannarch - Zaru




Canni Thinkaar (Zoe Davison/ Gemma Gracey-Davison) ran a great race over this CD when just touched off by the much higher rated Asturienne at Folkestone last time and might gain some recompense by taking the beginners chase at 15.50, while the same connections can possibly double up with Spider Boy at 18.00; the 14yo runs his best races here, but Watergate (Richard Rowe/ Leighton Aspell), unlucky here last time when falling at the last when still in the lead, could prove better today.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Baile Anrai - Kasbadali - Sandy`S Double
2. Race: Erzen - Neil Harvey - Canni Thinkaar
3. Race: Renard D`Irlande - Behindcloseddoors - Rushwee
4. Race: Rince Donn - Bearneen Boy - Sourchamp
5. Race: Behind The Scenes - Portrait Royale - Theophrastus
6. Race: Watergate - Spider Boy - Zelos Diktator




There are the usual large fields at Clonmel in Ireland, where Willie Mullins might land a double with Pickapocketortwo in the maiden hurdle at 16.05 and debutant Zadarska in the bumper at 18.15, both with the trainer´s son Paddy in the saddle.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Jim Will Fix It - Riltree - Subaroo Blue
2. Race: Pickapocketortwo - Days Hotel - Rough Times
3. Race: Molko Jack - Garamor Boy - Buck Breeze
4. Race: Fennis Boy - Bobs Display - Convincing
5. Race: Quarryvale - Warhead - Whosaidso
6. Race: Zadarska - Big Bluff - Saoirse`S Sister

Final day of Dubai Racing Carnival

Today is the final day of the Dubai International Racing Carnival at Meydan, with several runners still hoping to get a invitation to World Cup Day, which is scheduled for Saturday March 26th. World Cup Day, with its $26 million prize-money is not part of the carnival but a stand-alone fixture. Main feature today is the Group Two Zabeel Mile at 18.45 CET on turf and we hope to see the Qatar-trained Hearts of Fire (Ibrahim al Malki/ Adrie de Vries) win here. Previously trained by Pat Eddery he put up some excellent performances in Europe, including winning the Zukunfts-Rennen at Baden-Baden in 2009, and last week was beaten only 2 lengths in a much stronger field for the Jebel Hatta here. A repetition of that form should be good enough to take care of today´s weaker opposition.

Indomito (Pavel Vovcenko/ Daragh O´Donoghue) is the only German runner at the Carnival nd has been unplaced on his 3 starts so far, all on tapeta. He now runs on turf for the first time in the 6 furlongs handicap at 16.50 and we hope to see him placed in this race, which has a lop-sided look as the top weight JJ the Jet Plane (Lucky Houdalkais/ Bernard Fayd´Herbe) is rated so far superior to the other runners that almost all of them are out of the handicap. In theory he has to win this - he was after all a Group One winner in Hong Kong- but he ran badly on his first start at Meydan (on tapeta).

The Group Three DRC Gold Cup at 17.30 is the longest race run at the meeting at two miles on turf. Mikhail Glinka (Herman Brown/ Ryan Moore) won the Queens Vase last year and as the only 4yo in the field he gets weight all round. However we do not like his very nasty (in our opinion) owner, so hope he is beaten- possibly by German-bred Bergo, trained by Ryan´ s father Gary and ridden by Christophe Soumillon. Brown and Moore can instead win the opening conditions race over 7 furlongs on turf with Chocolicious.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Paulinho - Chocolicious - Electric Waves
2. Race: Hunting Tower - Mr Brock - Bronze Cannon
3. Race: J J The Jet Plane - Green Beret - Rock Jock
4. Race: Mikhail Glinka - Whispering Gallery - Opinion Poll
5. Race: Spring Of Fame - Al Shemali - Here To Win
6. Race: Cat Junior - Silverside - Invisible Man
7. Race: Steele Tango - Enak - Pallodio

N.H. racing at Catterick, Fontwell and Naas (Ireland)

More low-level racing at today´s 3 N.H. meetings and it is clear that the big stables are now keeping their powder dry for next week´s Cheltenham Festival. However Nicky Henderson sends 2 runners to Fontwell and it is quite possible that both of them, ridden by Andrew Tinkler, can score: Journeyman in the maiden hurdle at 16.00 CET and Old Rusty Cross in the bumper at 18.00. While the latter makes his racecourse debut, Journeyman has already run a couple of times, and was well beaten at Ffos Las last time behind stable companion Sprinter Sacre after making much of the running. There is certainly nothing of the calibre of that winner in today´s field. Also at Fontwell, we expect Clowance House (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman), who was quite useful on the flat and has finished runner-up on two of his 3 starts over sticks, to get off the mark in the novice hurdle at 15.00.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Clowance House - Vincitore - Zakeeta
2. Race: Floradorado - Quicolai - Piment D`Estruval
3. Race: Gurtacrue - Penchesco - Allerford Jack
4. Race: Miss Fleur - Beware Chalk Pit - Lady De La Vega
5. Race: I Can Run Can You - Arctic Flow - Septos
6. Race: Delgany Gunner - Killfinnan Castle - Curragh Dancer
7. Race: Old Rusty Cross - Ashes House - Howard`S Legacy




The best betting race at Catterick is the handicap hurdle at 16.20. Knight Valiant (Mrs. Butterworth/ JG O´Farrell) won nicely over this CD 9 days ago with several of these behind and could score again under a 7 lbs penalty. Dance Sauvage (Mike Sowersby/ Campbell Gíllies) weakened into fifth in that race after disputing the lead up to the final hurdle and can get involved again, while Ray Nixon´s Just Posh, while inconsistent, is well-weighted and has a chance with in-form Graham Lee (3 winners yesterday) in the saddle.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Bromhead - Wake Board - Perfectus
2. Race: Flichity - Conflictofinterest - Cabbyl Doo
3. Race: Knight Valliant - Sambelucky - Rhyton
4. Race: Bardolet - Bobby Donald - Go On Be A Lady
5. Race: Flora`S Pride - Sweet Caroline - Lesanda
6. Race: Call Me Mulligan - Stagecoach Diamond - Lem Putt
7. Race: Think Green - Serenitatis - Bahira




There are the usual huge fields at Naas, with 25 runners in 4 races on the all-hurdles card Andrew McNamara) is top-rated here but has not run since being pulled up in last year´s Grand National and will probably need the race, leaving the field clear for the consistent Big Game Hunter (Mouse Morris/ Adrian Heskin). Quartetto (Mervyn Torrens/ Mark Darcy) could be the best of the German-breds winning over jumps today. He runs in the handicap hurdle at 17.15, and although he departed early last time, has an obvious each-way chance on his earlier form.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Kalann - Super Sonic Boom - Priors Gold
2. Race: Big Game Hunter - Ballyholland - Monastrell
3. Race: Serein - King Of The Refs - Resolute Bay
4. Race: Burnswood - Media Baron - Take A Shot
5. Race: Accordion To Paddy - Western Bound - Forty Foot
6. Race: Champagne Agent - Ample Appeal - Shrapnel




There is little to be said about today´s all-weather racing, except that top jockey Richard Hughes makes his British comeback this evening at Kempton after spending the winter in India.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Brilliant Barca - Arizona High - Peachez
2. Race: Allanit - Lunar River - Rezwaan
3. Race: Scamperdale - Layline - Baylini
4. Race: Jake The Snake - Chimpunk - Samarinda
5. Race: Sir Boss - Visions Of Johanna - Time Square
6. Race: Al Aqabah - Peadar Miguel - Strophic
7. Race: On The Cusp - Lilli Palmer - Royal Envoy

Exeter, Newcastle and Southwell

There is a huge jackpot at Exeter today, but the card looks very difficult, with double figure fields in every race, and frankly, we will do well to find one winner, let alone 6. Main feature is the so-called Devon National, a handicap chase over 3 3/4 miles at 16.30 CET, but despite the poor prize-money, there is a huge field many of whom are untested at this distance. German-bred Ten Fires (Dessie Hughes/ Jack Doyle) is a raider from Ireland, but he has never run beyond 3 miles, and we discard him for that reason, also Raise you Five (Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy). The two David Pipe runners Shaking Hands (Tom Scudamore) and Peut Etre Sivola (Johnny Farrelly) both stay well and are on the short list, but our main hope is Cashel Blue (PR Rodford/ Kieren Burke). Should Raise you Five run well, that would be a clear pointer to Pliny (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman) in the next race, who was only a neck behind him last time. For jackpot hunters, our very tentative suggest ions for the remaining races are Pepita Rose at 15.30, Baccalaureate at 16.00, Glitzy d´Ocala at 17.30 and Whitcombe Spirit at 18.00.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Semi Colon - Pepite Rose - Hazy Dawn
2. Race: Switched Off - Roalco De Farges - Come Out Firing
3. Race: Shaking Hands - Ten Fires - Raise You Five
4. Race: Aztec Treasure - Pliny - Victory Parade
5. Race: Glitzy D`Ocala - Stolen Thunder - Silver Accord
6. Race: Whitcombe Spirit - Man Of Leisure - Tavalu




The ground is drying out at Exeter, but it will still be very soft at Newcastle and this could help Beamazad (Malcolm Jefferson/ Denis O´Regan) to follow up his recent Carlisle victory in the handicap chase at 17.50. Top-weight Categorical (Keith and James Reveley) is a CD specialist but seems handicapped to the hilt, so we regard the light-weights Blackpool Billy (Ferdy Murphy/ Graham Lee) and Camden George (Sue Smith/ Henry Oliver) as the main dangers. The handicap hurdle at 16.50 also looks very open; German-bred Euro American (Rose Dobbin/ Keith Renwick) won nicely at Sedgefield a fortnight ago, but that was over fences, so we prefer the lightly-raced Willie Hall (Willie Amos/ Campbell Gillies), runner-up over further last time at Kelso.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Lucky Sunny - Jukebox Melody - Alleged Vanity
2. Race: Cute N You Know It - Final Veto - Overyou
3. Race: The Ferbane Man - Bear Dancing - Lockstown
4. Race: Willie Hall - Euro American - Rolecarr
5. Race: Tiptoeaway - Diamond D`Amour - Lua De Itapoan
6. Race: Categorical - Beamazed - Camden George
7. Race: Pudsey House - Farewell Bluebell - Chapter Five




The usual poor sport on the all-weather track at Southwell this afternoon. Mark Johnston has an excellent record here and today has just one runner, Elusive Fame (Jason Hart) in the mile handicap at 17.40; he was runner-up here over shorter last time with this apprentice on board, but this distance is more suitable. Otherwise David Nicholls has a good chance of landing the 5 furlongs hadicap at 15.10, where both his runners Incomparable (Freddie Tylicki) and CD specialist La Capriosa (Adrian Nicholls) should run well.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Flying Applause - Bold Diva - It`S A Mans World
2. Race: Where`S Reiley - Sleepy Blue Ocean - Incomparable
3. Race: La Estrella - Hindu Kush - Cosmetic
4. Race: Kipchak - Hawaass - Davana
5. Race: Irish Jugger - Light The City - Eton Fable
6. Race: Premier League - Accamelia - Bertbrand
7. Race: Elusive Fame - Trans Sonic - The Lock Master
8. Race: Jonnie Skull - Norcroft - St Ignatius

Ffos Las, Newton Abbot and Lingfield

No joy today for racegoers in the Midlands or East Anglia, or northern England or Scotland, as all 3 meetings are way down south. On the whole the level of racing is very low and with some small fields as well, the cards are by no means punter-friendly. Evan Williams could be the trainer to follow, as he has a decent chance of saddling winners at both Ffos Las and Newton Abbot. At the Welsh track, we expect his Timesawasting to take the novice hurdle at 15.20, while Mickmacmagoole should go close in the handicap hurdle at 17.00; Tony McCoy rides both, which can only improve their chances. In the latter race Zalatal (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson) is an obvious danger, as he has been placed on all 7 of his U.K. starts, but he seems to be one of those frustrating animals who are reluctant to win. We also like the chances here of Border Lad (Alison Thorpe) an easy CD winner last week, at 15.50, and German-bred Tora Bora (Brendan Powell/ Sam Thomas) at 17.35, reverting to fences from hurdling.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Jolly Roger - Tenby Jewel - Murcar
2. Race: Border Lad - Bright Decision - The Composer
3. Race: Island Jim - High Jack - Shake The Barley
4. Race: Zakatal - Sparrow Hills - Mickmacmagoole
5. Race: Stop The Show - Derawar - Tora Bora
6. Race: What Of It - Oca De Thaix - Backstreet Lad
7. Race: Speed Master - Henok - Koultas King




At Newton Abbot, Williams can take the maiden hurdle at 15.00 with Alla Svelta and the handicap chase half an hour later with Trooper Clarence, an easy Kempton winner only on Saturday; Paul Moloney rides this pair. As so often, the novice chase has cut up badly, and only 4 runners face the starter at 16.40, but all of them have a chance; we give slight preference to Ikodoru Road Martin Keighley (Jason Maguire), who fell early in a big handicap at Newbury on Saturday, for which he started favourite, but Rebel du Maquis (Paul Nicholls/ Ryan Mahon) looks very dangerous, despite his big weight. Best bet here could be Round the Horn (Jim Old/ Maguire), who, although an 11yo, is very lightly raced; indeed he only ran 3 times between the spring of 2006 and the beginning of this year. However he has certainly found his form now with two very easy wins in the past fortnight and appears to be seriously underestimated by the handicapper.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Glassawine - Alla Svelta - Cinnamon Hill
2. Race: Rileyev - Coach Lane - Digital Media
3. Race: Milo Milan - Calico Rose - Just One Thing
4. Race: Ikorodu Road - Rebel Du Maquis - Quartz De Thaix
5. Race: Round The Horn - Rith Bob - Emergency Exit
6. Race: Themilanhorse - Hayjack - Magical Man
7. Race: Louis Pasteur - Walter De Wodeland - The Apprentice




The all-weather card at Lingfield is very low level. There are 5 runners in the furlongs handicap for fillies and mares at 18.30, We expect George Baker to win this - but the question is- which one? The trainer of that name saddles top-weight Cape Melody (Matthew Davies), a CD winner when last seen in January, while the jockey of that name rides Gary Moore´s Spinning Bailiwick, who has been in good form this year. However she is possibly better over 7 furlongs, so we prefer the top-weight.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Frequency - Northern Dare - Italian Tom
2. Race: Captain Dimitrios - Eternal Youth - Lovat Lane
3. Race: Juarla - Go Maggie Go - Mini Bon Bon
4. Race: Twin Soul - Ilissos - Baileys Agincourt
5. Race: Majuro - The Which Doctor - Faithful Ruler
6. Race: Judgement - Insieme - Swift Bird
7. Race: Spinning Bailiwick - Cape Melody - Bold Ring

Huntingdon, Sedgefield and Naas

With the ground drying out rapidly in most parts of Britain and Ireland, the heavy going specialists that have done so well in recent weeks are going to find it much tougher now, and punters should start looking for runners with better form on good ground. One such is Ballyvesey (Peter Bowen/ Tom O´Brien), who has top weight in the 3 mile handicap chase at 16.40 CET at Huntingdon. He missed out the winter and last ran in the Becher Chase at Aintree in November, finishing an honourable 4th of 17, easily the best form in this field. German-bred Victoria´s Groom (Lucy Wadham/ Leighton Aspell) has been well below form on his recent starts, but could run much better now and looks the each-way alternative. Wadham does well with her imports from Germany and has another one, Wiesentraum, 6th on both his bumper starts, who makes his hurdling debut at 15.40. However Sizing Ireland (Nicky Henderson/ Tony McCoy) looks more promising and can complete a quick double for trainer and jockey, following First in the Queue at 15.10. Another ex-German horse who could run well at a big price is Double Handful (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman), who has bottom weight in the handicap hurdle at 17.10. He could not cope with the heavy ground last time, and has in fact never yet finished in the first 3 in the UK, but we have not forgotten his strong run in the German Derby two years ago; Qalinas (David Pipe/ Tom Scudamore), caught close home at Sandown last time, is clearly the one to beat, but will probably start at a very short price.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: First In The Queue - Robin De Creuse - Fontano
2. Race: Sizing Ireland - Baan - Loch Ba
3. Race: Chicklemix - Emperor Charlie - Be My Light
4. Race: Western Whisky - Marc Of Brilliance - Ballyvesey
5. Race: Qalinas - Ubi Ace - If I Had Him
6. Race: Bertenbar - Crystal Prince - Extra Bold
7. Race: Glorious Feeling - Kaylif Aramis - Jawhary




The standard of racing at Sedgefield is low, but our 3 fancies are Eighteen Carat (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire) in the novice hurdle at 15.20, Lightening Rod (Mick Easterby/ Jake Greenall), who fell at the last here last time when looking the possible winner, and more speculatively Toulouse Express (Bob and KennyJohnson), who is very unreliable, but has been dropped in the weights and usually runs well here; if he gets a soft lead he could well spring a surprise at 16.50.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Eighteen Carat - Malin Bay - Cloudy Too
2. Race: Catch Bob - Fushe Jo - Lightening Rod
3. Race: Ontrack - Wor Rom - Oniz Tiptoes
4. Race: Panthers Run - Teenando - Mansonien l`As
5. Race: Lerida - Gavroche Gaugain - Authentic Act
6. Race: Classic Henri - Sea Cliff - Sharadiyn




There is a much better card at Naas in Ireland, where the main event is the Leinster National, a handicap chase over 3 miles at 17.30. Willie Mullins saddles two runners here, top-weight Ballytrim, (Paul Townend), who won the race lst year and was an excellent third in a better race last time, and Quadrillon, the first ride in Ireland for Ruby Walsh since his comeback from injury. However our choice is Noble Concorde (Jim Culloty/ Tom Doyle), who stays really well and was runner-up last time in a similar event at Punchestown. However Mullins and Townend should not leave empty-handed. as we expect both Cottrellsbooley at 16.00 and Lambro at 18.00 to score.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Montan - Bob Lingo - Sam Adams
2. Race: Cottrelsbooley - Dilshaan`s Prize - Four Commanders
3. Race: Shirley Casper - Jaffonnien - For The Staff
4. Race: Le Marquis - Pozyc - Arklow Ger
5. Race: Quadrillon - Noble Concorde - Ballytrim
6. Race: Lambro - Caddy Man - Crude
7. Race: Do Brazil - Vapiano - Aupcharlie

Start of Auteuil spring season

The big trotting winter season at Vincennes is now over and the action in France now switches to jumps racing at Auteuil, which will stage the main events in the Paris region on the next 4 Sundays. Today´s opening fixture features two group races, the Prix Juigne, over hurdles at 14.30 CET, and over fences the Prix Robert de Clermont-Tonner at 15.40. In the former event the top French hurdler Questarabad (Marc Rolland/ Regis Schmidlin) reappears. He has to concede 7 kilos to German-bred Wutzeline (Yannick Fertillet/ Hubert Terrien) which will not be easy, although the German mare is normally a Cagnes specialist. The latter event should go to Kauto Stone (Bertrand de Balanda/ Christophe Pieux), a half-brother to Kauto Star and the top French 4yo last year, who now against older horses for the first time.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Sunny Vic - Amarak - Sidi Ifni
2. Race: Dumet - Maline Des Epeires - Drole De Monsieur
3. Race: Questarabad - Rhialco - Good Bye Simon
4. Race: Perle Sainte - Quick Dream - Lake World
5. Race: Kauto Stone - Oculi - Tell No One
6. Race: Kalin Des Cotieres - Bambi Du Rheu - Valfranc
7. Race: Saying Again - Sur De Lui - Sappo
8. Race: Mavireenne - Royal Ultimatenia - Monetaire

... also at Doncaster and Kelso

More Grand National clues this afternoon at Doncaster and Kelso. At the former track the main feature is the Grimthorpe Chase over 3 1/4 miles at 16.15 CET, where several runners have an Aintree entry. Merigo (Alan Parker/ Tom Siddall) won the Scottish version last season and is well fancied for the real thing this time; like Meanus Dandy (Paul Nicholls/ Ian Popham) he failed to complete in the Becher Chase in November and has not been seen since, but this is clearly his dress rehearsal. This looks a very open event, in which top-weight Irish-trained Killyglen (Steve Crawford/ Denis O´Regan) and his ex-stable companion Presenting Forever (Howard Johnson/ Brian Hughes) as well as Character Building (John Quinn/ Dougie Costello), Minella Four Star (David Pipe/ Tom Scudamore) and Ogee (Pauline Robeson/ Jimmy McCarthy) must all come into the reckoning. With the ground firming up at Doncaster, we also like the chances of German-bred Moon over Miami (Charlie Mann/ Peter Tool e) in the 2 mile handicap chase at 18.35.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Mac Aeda - Premier Des Marais - Bellflower Boy
2. Race: Nouailhas - J`Adhere - Donny Briggs
3. Race: Presenting Forever - Killyglen - Ogee
4. Race: Vertige Dore - Brother Bob - Rio Gael
5. Race: Oscar Nominee - Close House - Majorica King
6. Race: Lake Legend - Springfield Raki - Indian Pipe Dream
7. Race: Elite Land - Moon Over Miami - Rivaliste




Ballabriggs (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire) has won his last 5 races and is on everybody´s short list for the Grand National. He can underline his claims by winning the Premier Chase at 16.40 at Kelso, in which Chief Dan George(Jimmy Moffatt/ Paddy Aspell) poses the greatest threat. The Grade Two novice hurdle at 17.15 is the main feature here, and McCain and Maguire can double up with the smart Desert Cry, but Storm Brig (Alastair Whillans/ Brian Harding), who has won 4 of his 5 career starts, including twice here, looks a worthy opponent.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Tartan Snow - Seeyaaj - Guns And Butter
2. Race: Wind Shuffle - Nine Stories - Alfie Flits
3. Race: Patterning - Proud Times - Pokfulham
4. Race: Ballabriggs - Chief Dan George - Skippers Brig
5. Race: Storm Brig - Desert Cry - Wyse Hill Teabags
6. Race: Quotica De Poyans - Spellchecker - Viking Rebel
7. Race: Kings Guard - Everaard - Golfer`S Crossing