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