Moderate Monday card

A typically moderate Monday card today and some very small fields at the two N.H. meetings as well.Only 4 line up in the handicap hurdle at 16.00 CET at Exeter, which should lie between the two top-weights and last-time-out winners Laustra Bad (David Pipe/ Conor O´Farrell) and Midnight Opera (Neil Mulholland/ Mark Quinlan), and 4 again in the novice chase an hour later; Rebel du Maquis (Paul Nicholls/ Ryan Mahon is the favourite here, but we are not sure that he can concede the weight to Irish raider Lady Hillingdon (Paul Gilligan/ Andrew Lynch). German-bred Mauritino (Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy) has no penalty for winning at Wincanton last week and can go in again at 18.00.

Exeter - betting forecast:
1. Race: Rhyton - Jewellery - Robello
2. Race: Laustra Bad - Midnight Opera - Forest Rhythm
3. Race: Victory Parade - Ours - Louis Pasteur
4. Race: Rebel Du Maquis - Lady Hillingdon - Chase Gate
5. Race: Takeroc - Lord Henry - Double Mead
6. Race: Mauritino - Allformary - Special Cuvee


There are also several German-breds in action at Towcester, 3 of them in the handicap hurdle at 16.10: Sadlers Star (Michael Blake/ Denis O´Regan), L´Homme de Nuit (Jim Best/ A Bird) and Glorybe (Chris Bealby/ Tom Messenger). The last two probably need soft going, so we prefer the first-named, who also has the best form of the trio, but it is a very open race. Speedy Directa (Milton Harris/ Charlie Poste) is inconsistent, but must have an each-way chance in the opener at 15.10, while Sagunt (Jo Davis/ Tom Siddall) has only Ballabrook (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire) to beat half an hour later. The penalised Lifestyle (Nicky Henderson/ Felix de Giles) looks almost unbeatable in the novice hurdle at 17.10, but his odds will be very short.

Towcester - betting forecast:
1. Race: Deejan - Earl Of Thomond - Speedy Directa
2. Race: Ballabrook - Sagunt - Mr Johnson
3. Race: Rawaaj - Final Flyer - Kadouchski
4. Race: Jolly Boys Outing - De Bansha Man - Antonius Caesar
5. Race: Lifestyle - Omokoroa - Red Whisper
6. Race: Papradon - Red Jester - Wee Ziggy
7. Race: Skenakilla Cross - Final Cast - Wilde Ruby


David Nicholls has hit form and could be the trainer to follow at Redcar. He has 3 entries in the 6 furlongs handicap at 17.20, of whom Jarrow- an ex-Mark Johnston horse ridden by son Adrian- could be the best, and can also take the apprentice race half an hour later with Dolly Parton (Leonna Mayor).

Redcar - betting forecast:
1. Race: Gone By Sunrise - Van Go Go - First Bid
2. Race: Spiders Of Spring - Queen Of The Hop - Ciara Boo
3. Race: Mother Jones - Clara Zetkin - Moral Issue
4. Race: Buzz Law - Chosen Character - Bosambo
5. Race: Dark Lane - Jarrow - Doctor Parkes
6. Race: Dolly Parton - Frequency - Winning Draw
7. Race: Spavento - Lady Chloe - Wiseman`s Diamond


The 1 1/2 mile handicap at 19.20 at Windsor´s evening meeting has the biggest field of the day -16 runners- and looks wide open. New Code (Gary and Ryan Moore) could start favourite; he won 4 races last year, but they were moderate affairs and he has gone up quite a bit in the weights. Lightly-raced Eshtiyaar (David Evans/ Cathy Gannon) has been placed on all 3 starts and begins handicapping over a very low mark. Top-weight Advisor (Michael Bell/ Jamie Spencer) has not run on the flat for nearly 2 years and has been hurdling for Paul Nicholls. Now back with Bell, he would have a good chance on his 3yo form, but is possibly best watched for now. Our fancy is the 9yo mare Bavarica (Julia Feilden/ Adam Beschizza); she likes firm ground and has gone well here and could be an interesting each-way bet at a decent price.

Windsor - betting forecast:
1. Race: Best Terms - Mrs Mop - Supreme Quest
2. Race: Pretty Diamond - Ilissos - September Draw
3. Race: Eshtyaaq - Saborido - Bavarica
4. Race: Wooden King - Elusive Hawk - The Wee Chief
5. Race: Purification - Dressing Room - Tiger Webb
6. Race: Romantic Wish - Silverware - My Vindication