3 poor meetings today

After an excellent weekend´s sport, in which we were privileged to see the two best hurdlers in the world in action, today´s cards are very much an anti-climax. Ayr goes ahead after an early morning inspection, but the ground will be testing and some of the fields very small. Irish raiders always do well here and we expect Yes Tom (RTJ Wilson/ Paddy Brennan), who has only one opponent at 14.50 CET, and Radharc Na Mara (Jim Dreaper/ Andrew Lynch), top weight in the handicap chase at 15.20, to score. We also like CD specialist Sammy Spiderman (Alistair and Ernie Whillans) at 15.55 here and the same team may double up half an hour later with Lady Bluesky. Best bet here is Diocles (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire) in the novice hurdle at 13.50, but he won´t pay much.

Montbazon (Alan King/ Wayne Hutchinson) will be at an even shorter price in the maiden hurdle at 14.10 at Plumpton; this one really does look a certainty. King also has 2 runners in the novice hurdle here an hour later, but Aikideau /Richard Rowe/ Leighton Aspell) looks the likeliest winner here. The German-bred Speedy Directa (Brendan Powell/ Charlie Poste) has been a constant disappointment so far, but we have not given up hope yet; he could run well at a big price in the handicap hurdle at 16.50.

All 8 races at Wolverhampton are class 5 or 6. Chabada (Ian Williams/ Martin Lane) was an easy winner here last week and can follow up under a penalty in the fillies handicap at 18.40.