3 dreadful cards today

The standard of racing today´s 3 meetings is very poor indeed with only a single horse of even average ability running. That exception is Star in Flight (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire) in the novice hurdle at 16.50 CET at Catterick. He was an easy winner here in December and would have won on his next start as well but for stumbling two out. With his one serious opponent withdrawn, he appears to have little to beat and is today´s banker. Zoenicibel (Malcolm Jefferson/ Harry Haynes) might be a profitable each-way bet in the mares novice handicap hurdle here at 15.50 and so could be German-bred Moon Melody (Mike Sowersby/ Joe Colliver) at 17.50, but both are highly speculative.

The ground is firming up at Leicester and soft ground form should be treated with caution. Tempting Paradise (Evan Williams/ Paul Moloney) likes this ground and the fact that he has not run since the summer may not stop him winning the handicap chase at 15.30; his stable is in good form and can follow up in the novice chase at 17.00, where ex-Australian Pentiffic (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman) looks the main danger. Evan Williams can possibly complete a hat-trick with Mac Halen (Adam Wedge) who landed a gamble last week at Taunton and may follow up under a penalty at 18.00.

The card on the all-weather at Lingfield looks even worse, and with some very small fields is not at all punter-friendly. Richard Hannon´ few runners have all been running well, and he can take the 3yo maiden at 17.40 with Travellers Tales (Kieren O´Neill), owned by the Queen. Gary Moore has two runners in the 2 mile handicap at 16.10, and while jockey bookings suggest that Ministry (George Baker) could be the main hope, we prefer top-weight Kahfre David Probert), who reserves his best form for this track and won this race last year.