N.H. racing at Taunton and Ludlow

More low level racing at today´s two British N.H. meetings. The best race is the Forbra Gold Cup, a handicap chase over 3 miles at 17.00 CET at Ludlow, but this historic event has attracted a substandard field. A big problem here is that hardly any of the 9 runners has ever shown good form over today´s distance. Pigeon Island (Nigel Twiston-Davies/ Paddy Brennan) has the best form, having won the Grand Annual at last year´s Cheltenham Festival, but that was over 2 miles. Just Smudge (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman), Max Bygraves (Kim Bailey/ Sean Quinlan) and The Snail (Evan Williams/ Paul Moloney) have all shown decent form at this track over shorter distances, so we shall take a chance on No Panic (Peter Bowen/ Tom O´Brien), who has had a short break but is guaranteed to stay the trip.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: The Cockney Mackem - Flichity - Glendue
2. Race: Phidippides - Hector`S Choice - Maraafeq
3. Race: Havingotascoobydo - Lobby Ludd - Lexicon Lad
4. Race: Calusa Caldera - Isn`T That Lucky - Max Bygraves
5. Race: Calusa Shadow - Whispering Jack - Sawpit Solitaire
6. Race: Sea Wall - Martha`S Kinsman - Silver Story
7. Race: Little Fritz - Parsnip Pete - Milaneen




There could be a German-bred winner at Taunton, as First Smash (Milton Harris/ Jimmy Derham) must have a chance in the handicap hurdle at 17.20 off a low weight. The Monsun gelding is no world-beater and is still a maiden in the U.K., but he kept on well when 4th of 10 here last time, and the extra two furlongs today should be to his advantage.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Merehead - Romulus D`Artaix - Henry King
2. Race: Patsy Finnegan - Earth Planet - Erzen
3. Race: Round Tom - Kaybeew - Molly Round
4. Race: Kirbys Glen - Catholic Hill - Laneguy
5. Race: Prince Of Denial - Lucy`S Perfect - Laustra Bad
6. Race: Whizzaar - Chesnut Annie - Mustangsallyrally
7. Race: Mut`Ab - Monsieur - Storm Command