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