5 meetings today

Lots of runners today, with big fields at most of the 5 meetings. The most valuable event is the veterans handicap chase for 10yo´s and older over 3 miles at 16.30 CET at Doncaster. The are some quite decent performers entered here and the one we like is Faasel (David Pipe/ Tom Scudamore), who has not won for ages but has run some good races in smart company. Atouchbetweenacara (Venetia Williams/ Harry Challoner), who ran for a long way at Wincanton on Saturday, looks next best. The 4yo hurdle here at 14.55 also has some useful youngsters entered; our preference is for Ardlui (Alan King/ Robert Thornton), even though he has to give weight away all round.

The card at Ludlow opens with 2 divisions of a maiden hurdle, with the first division at 14.35 looking the better race. Swing Bowler (David Pipe/ Timmy Murphy) won both her bumper starts and makes her debut over sticks here, but Charlie Wingnut (Nicky Henderson/ David Bass) and Sonoran Sands (Brendan and Brendan Powell) have both shown ability over hurdles and are a big threat. The second division could go to High on a Hill (Donald McCain/ Adrian Lane), runner-up to a decent sort at Leicester last time. We also like Akarshan (Evan Williams/ Adam Wedge) in the handicap chase here at 16.10.

The most interesting runner of the day runs in the opening hurdle at Punchestown at 15.00 - Cousin Vinny (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh). He looked potentially top class back in 2008 when winning the Cheltenham Champion Bumper but has been off the track for almost 2 years. If anywhere near his old form, he would certainly win this, and trainer and jockey can follow up half an hour later with Maggie Connolly, with Psycho (Tony Martin/ Adrian Heskin) looking the main danger.

Best bet in today´s 2 all-weather meetings to our mind is Pale Orchid (David Evans/ Matthew Cosham), who has top-weight in the 3yo handicap over 6 furlongs at 17.30 at LIngfield.