4 low-level meetings today

Racing continues at a very low level today, before the Christmas break beginning in the U.K. tomorrow. Easily the best race on today´s 4 cards is the listed hurdle race at 14,35 CET at Thurles, but even this has a very poor field for the money, with only 4 runners and only one of them with any worthwhile form- So Young (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh). The Lavirco gelding has to give weight away to the other 3 runners, but is in a different league and should win easily. The following mares hurdle at 15.05 also has 4 runners and should also go to the top-weight, Is Herself About (DM O´Brien/ Davy Russell). Willie Mullins has several other good chances at the Irish track, and Bundle of Fun at 14.05, Sin Palo at 15.35, both partnered by Walsh, as well as Rockyaboyo at 16.05 and the debutant Douneve in the concluding bumper, both ridden by the trainer´s son Paddy, are also possible winners.

No race at any of today´s 3 U.K. meetings is better than class 4 - and most of them are even lower grade, so that betting opportunities are few and far between. Venetia Williams is having a very moderate season, but usually does well at her local track Hereford and we think that Reginaldinho (Sam Thomas) has a decent each-way chance in the handicap hurdle at 15.10. The best horse on view at Sedgefield is Charminster (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire) in the beginners chase at 13.50. A promising hurdler last year, he has not been seen since winning here in January, but if he copes with the larger obstacles, should outclass these opponents. The 5 handicaps at Southwell look impossible to unravel; Bold Cuffs (Sir Mark Prescott/ Steven Donohue) and Dark Falcon (James Tate/ Kieren Fallon) appear to have the 2yo maiden at 14.30 here between them.