frost at Fakenham and Folkestone (?)

Winter has finally arrived in the U.K. and today´s meeting at Fakenham has been abandoned because of frost. It´s very cold at Folkestone too and a second inspection has been called. Should racing go ahead there, One Lucky Lady (Nicky Henderson/ Andrew Tinkler) looks a good thing to win the opening 4yo maiden hurdle at 14.30 CET, but will not be at a punter-friendly price.

It is not normally a good idea to back a 8yo maiden with top weight in a handicap, but Only Hope (Jim Best/ Brendan Powell) should win the handicap hurdle at 15.30; he has been placed 9 times in succession and has easily the best form in this poor race for conditional jockeys - and has one of the best riders in the saddle as well.

There should be no problems at Ayr. where local trainer Lucinda Russell has runners in all 7 race and she could well have several winners. Certainly Cadore, in the opening maiden hurdle at 14.10, Blenheim Brook in the novice chase half an hour later, both ridden by stable jockey Peter Buchanan, should win, while we also expect Delightfully /Grant Cockburn) at 15.40 and Stormion (Campbell Gillies) at 16.10 to have good chances. Our main fancy here however is course specialist Sammy Spiderman (Alistair and Ewan Whillans), who has bottom weight in the handicap chase at 15.10; he runs a stone better at this course than anywhere else.