5 U.K. meetings today

the cards in Britain today, 3 on the flat and 2 over jumps, are very low level and in addition there are some extremely small fields, especially at Exeter´s N.H. meeting, where only 26 horses are entered in the 6 races.
Much more competitive jumps racing comes from Sedgefield, where the Durham National at 20.15 CET over 3 1/2 miles is the main feature. Esme TRides Again (CR Wilson POaddy Aspll) was an asy cours winnr last tim, but meets stronger opposition now, and the result could lie between Western Gale (Mike Todhunter/ James Reveley) and Matmata de Tendron (Tony Crook/ Paul Gallagher), who finished 1/2 at Wetherby last time. Although the latter is now 4 lbs better off, we expect the former to come out on top again, and he can complete a double for his jockey, who can also score on course specialist Benny be Good, trained by his father, in the 2 1/2 mile handicap chase at 19.40. German-bred Bocciani (Brian Ellison/ JP O´Farrell) has been in great form this year, but faces a stiff task under top weight in the handicap hurdle at 19.10 and we have a slight preference for Empress Orchid (Donald McCain/ APLane).
The racing on the two all-weather tracks today looks very undistinguished, but the 7 furlongs handicap at 17.10 at Yarmouth (on turf) is quite interesting. Saeed bin Suroor has so far this season been upstaged by his fellow Godolphin trainer Mahmoud al Zarooni, but he can get one back here with the very lightly-raced Asraab (Frankie Dettori). Bawaardi (Richard Fahey/ Freddie Tylicki) looks the main danger, as top-weight Gouray Girl (Walter Swinburn/ Shane Kelly) and Excellent Guest (George Margarson/ Philip Robinson) are both running for the first time this year.

Betting forecast Sedgefield:
1. Race: Scriptwriter - City Ground - Ouest Eclair
2. Race: Empress Orchid - The Tiddly Tadpole - Odin`S Raven
3. Race: Benny Be Good - Hollo Ladies - Film Festival
4. Race: Western Gale - Matmata De Tendron - Work Boy
5. Race: San Deng - Ascendant - Diklers Oscar
6. Race: Tricksofthetrade - Evans Wood - Nine Carrot Gold