Leicester and Southwell

Once again, very poor sport at today´s 2 meetings. Anything Nicky Henderson saddles these days must be taken seriously, and he sends his novice chaser Larks Lad (David Bass) to run in the 16.10 CET race at Leicester. There are only 4 runners here, but it still looks the most interesting race of the day. He was a decent hurdler, but has not been so convincing over fences and now carries a penalty for "winning" a walkover; on balance, we prefer Soir d´Estruval (Alan King/ Wayne Hutchinson), although the other penalised runner Baile Anrai (Ian Williams/ Harry Skelton) also looked good when winning at Towcester last time. The novice hurdle at 14.10 also could be interesting; Kazlian (David Pipe/ Tom Scudamore) won by 50 lengths (!) last time, but probably did not beat much and will start at a very short price, but Tuscan Gold (KIng / Hutchinson), while Swaling (Vic Dartnall/ Denis O´Regan), runner-up on his only race so far, a bumper at Exeter last April, and the one-time dece nt flat horse Enroller (Willie Muir/ Noel Fehily) are also not out of it. Phar Again (Claire Dyson/ Nick Scholfield) is an abolute CD specialist and can repeat his 2011 win in the handicap chase at 14.40. German-breds did well yesterday, so we shall keep an eye on Speedy Directa (Brendan Powell/ Tom Siddall); he has been dropped in the weights and as long as the ground is not too soft, could have an each way chance in the handicap hurdle at 16.40.

It is difficult to get excited about any of the races on the all-weather at Southwell. Hada Men (Brian Ellison/ Barry McHugh) won here very easily last week over 1 3/4 miles and should be able to follow up over the extra 2 furlongs at 14.55, although last year´s winner Delorain (Wilf Stone/ Ryan Powell) could be dangerous. The 3yo handicap over 6 furlongs at 15.25 looks very tricky; top-weight Laffan (Kevin Ryan/ Peter Makin) and MJ Woodward (Paul Green/ Luke Morris) both won over this CD last week and should be thereabouts again under a 6 lbs penalty, but from the handicapping point of view Sunny Side Up (Richard Fahey/ Shane B.Kelly) might beat them both.
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