2 N.H. and 2 all-weather flat meetings

There are 4 meetings today, two on the flat (all-weather racing at a very low level at Southwell this afternoon and Kempton this evening) and rather better N.H. racing at Exeter and Bangor. Star of the show is undoubtedly Peddlers Cross /Donald McCain/ Timmy Murphy) who makes his chasing debut at 14.40 CET at Bangor. The runner-up in the Champion Hurdle last March only has to jump round safely to defeat his 3 opponents today before we hope going on to much better things. The handicap chase here half an hour later is a more interesting betting event, and German-bred Air Force One (Charlie Mann Noel Fehily) could be a decent each-way bet. The Lando gelding has failed to complete in 5 of his last 6 races, but he has plenty of ability and has been dropped to a very favourable weight.

After a stuttering start to the season, the powerful Paul Nicholls stable has now hit form (6 winners on Saturday!) and looks likely to clean up at Exeter. Nicholls, with jockey Daryl Jacob, can take the two divisions of the novice hurdle at 13.50 and 14.20 with Curtain Razer and Ruben Cotter respectively, both Irish point-to-point winners last time out, as well as the handicap hurdle at 14.50 with ex-Howard Johnson The Knoxs. Our bst