Ruby´s back!

The most interesting feature of today´s racing in the U.K. is the return of Ruby Walsh (photo) to action after a near 4 months injury break. This is good news for all N.H. fans, and especially for Paul Nicholls and Willie Mullins, the two trainers for whom he mainly rides. Nicholls supplies him with his only ride today, Don´t Turn Bach in the novices handicap hurdle at 17.40 CET at Newbury. Obviously we would like to see him win, and Nicholls has already said that the horse has a winning chance, but we cannot recommend him as a good bet, as the "Ruby factor" will almost certainly mean that he starts at a false price. Better value in this race is probably provided by The Chazer (Richard Lee/ Sam Thomas), Rawaaj (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire) and Alcalde (John Berry/Wayne Kennedy), all of whom have decent form at this level.

Although most of the leading jockeys will be at Newbury, it is interesting that Alan King has sent his stable jockey Robert Thornton north to Doncaster and we expect the combination to win a couple of races, with High Benefit at 16.50, Balerina at 17.30 and Enfant du Lune at 18.05 their best chances. We also like the prospects of Halla San (Richard Fahey/ Graham Lee) in the novice chase at 16.20; his recent starts over jumps have been disastrous, but he is the still the classiest runner in the field and if he gets his act together can score here.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Moose Moran - Two Kisses - Omaruru
2. Race: Our Father - Forlovenormoney - Dixie Bull
3. Race: Baseball Ted - Noble Crusader - Babe Heffron
4. Race: Zazamix - River d`Or - Babysitter
5. Race: Don`T Turn Bach - Rawaaj - The Chazer
6. Race: Ornais - It`S Like That - Darkness