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