Rest of U.K. and Irish racing

There is also jumps racing this afternoon, at a much lower level, at Chepstow in Wales, Ayr in Scotland and Limerick in Ireland. The Irish track features an all-hurdling card, with maximum fields in most events. The likeliest winner here is Rigidity (Edward O´Grady/ Andrew McNamara) over 2 miles at 15.20. A useful flat performer for Henry Cecil, he made an impressive debut over hurdles and should not be troubled to follow up in this company.

There are mainly small fields at Ayr with only 4 runners in the handicap chases at 17.00 and 18.05, which should go to Work Boy (Sue Smith/ Shane Byrne) and Raysrock (Lucinda Russell/ Campbell Gillies) respectively. Circus Clown (Jim Goldie/ Graham Lee) has won both his races this season for his new stable and can score again at 17.30.

At Chepstow, German-bred Wendel (Venetia Williams/Liam Treadwell) makes his comeback after a year off in the beginners chase at 16.45. If he is anywhere fully tuned up, he can win this and his trainer can complete a double with Qrackers (Tom O´Brien) at 17.15; the latter has been very disappointing recently, but has been dropped in the weights and it is a long time since he raced in such poor company.

There is a good all-weather card at Wolverhampton, where the valuable Lincoln Trial, a handicap over 8 1/2 furlongs at 16.20 is the main event. Prime Exhibit (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan) was runner-up in the Lincoln last year and is being aimed at the big Doncaster handicap again. he has been off the track since October, but should be in the firing line, with Lowther and Norman Orpen the main dangers. Final Drive was in great form when last seen in the U.K. winning 6 races in November and December, but has been in Dubai, which may be a disadvantage. The listed race over 7 furlongs which opens the card at 15.10 is another decent race, in which Irish raider Duff (Eddie Lynam/ Fran Berry) is our selection.