Royal Wedding at Fontwell!

readers may be dimly aware that there is a Royal Wedding somewhere today - that is correct, as the 9yo gelding of that name, trained by Nick Gifford and ridden by Liam Treadwell, runs under top weight in the handicap chase over 2 3/4 miles at 18.30 CET at Fontwell Park. He is a CD winner and must have a fair chance in this company, but as he is bound to be backed by coincidence hunters, he is likely to start at an artificially short price. A more interesting bet here at a much better price could be German-bred First Smash (Lawnay Hill/ Harry Skelton) in the handicap hurdle at 20.05. He is closely related to First Stream (Howard Johnson/ Henry Brooke), who runs in the stayers´handicap hurdle at 18.10 at Perth on the final day of their big spring meeting. He could also run well at long odds. The card is not as strong here as on the two previous days. but the strong Irish challenge in almost every race must not be overlooked. In the main event, the Highland National over 3 miles 7 furlongs at 17.35, 5 of the 13 runners are trained in Ireland. Gordon Elliott has already won 5 races at this meeting, and despite his poor recent form, his Kells Castle (Brian Hughes) looks a likely candidate here, as he seems to reserve this best form for this track.
Those still looking for a royal connection today should check out the 2yo maiden at 16.50 at Leicester, where the well-bred Free Verse (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) makes his debut. He is owned and bred by the Queen, whose gormless grandson is the lead actor in the ceremony at Westminster Abbey. Perhaps the owner will be able to take a few minutes off from her official duties this afternoon to nip down to the local betting shop and watch the race on TV.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: High Jack - Psi - Victory Surge
2. Race: Lord Liath - Gtaab - Baroque Star
3. Race: Free To Air - Katalak - Midnight Diamond
4. Race: Rare Symphony - Magic Prospect - Princely Hero
5. Race: King Of Leon - She`S Humble - Najca De Thaix
6. Race: Rossbrin - Little Roxy - Aconitum