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