5 more bad meetings today

Once again, mainly very low-level racing at today´ s 5 meetings. The afternoon meetings in particular, at Beverley and Brighton, are very poor. At Beverley the 10 furlongs handicap at 16.15 CET is the most interesting race, but top-weight Osgood must be regarded as a most unlikely runner after winning last night at Chepstow. In his absence our choice would be course specialist Tribal Myth (Kevin Ryan/ Julie Burke).

At Brighton, the 7 furlongs handicap at 16.00 looks the best event. Bottom weight Foxtrot Alpha (Peter Winkworth/ J. Rogers) has to have a chance here after being beaten a head over this CD last time, while Ivory Lace (Steve Woodman/ Harry Bentley), just beaten at Goodwood and a CD winner, must also be considered, but is rather inconsistent. The most reliable option would be Lastkingofscotland (Conor Dore/ Hayley Turner), runner-up the last twice; he has been kept on the go for a long time - this is his 30th race is less than a year, but keeps his form well.

The racing is slightly better this evening at Newbury, but is still well below par for this track. The 10 furlongs handicap for 3yo fillies at 21.20 is quite a decent race and we like the top-weight Isolate (Hughie Morrison/ Jimmy Fortune), beaten a nose at Salisbury on his only start this year. Abdicate (Richard Fahey/ Tony Hamilton) won a Ripon maiden, and her trainer does not send his horses down south for nothing, but the form still does not look strong enough. Sacred Shield (Henry Cecil/ Tom Queally) has been first or second on all her 2011 starts, but the main danger could be Masaraat (John Dunlop/ Richard Hills), who won a similar race at Nottingham last time.

There is N.H. racing this evening at Newton Abbot and we expect Bermuda Boy (Paul Nicholls/ Daryl Jacob) to win the novice chase at 20.05 in receipt of 10 lbs from the penalised winner Wake Board (Dr. Richard Newland/ Tony McCoy), while Marigolds Way (Tony Honeyball/ Sam Thomas) is our choice in the handicap chase at 21.10.

The first 4 races at the Irish meeting at Ballinrobe this evening are on the flat and the last four over hurdles. Our best bets here are Dawariya (John Oxx/ Johnny Murtagh) at 19.20 on the flat, and Uncle Taffy (Tony Martin/ Derek O´Connor), who can complete a quick four-timer over the sticks at 20.55.