Back for 5 meetings today

After a short break in hospital, this column is back today to look at 5 mainly undistinguished meetings. Thoughts are concentrated on the opening of the British flat season on Saturday well as the same day´s immensely valuable Dubai World Cup fixture, compared to which today´s racing looks very second rate. At Ffos Las, we hope that German-bred Lava Lamp (Evan Williams/ Adam Wedge), an easy CD winner last time after a string of places, can take the handicap hurdle at 17.30 CET. Despite his poor form, Glenstal Abbey(Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy), could be the main danger, but his team possibly have a better chance with top-weight Mission Complete in the 3 mile race at 15.50.

At Newcastle there could be another German-bred winner - Snooker (Rose Dobbin/ Keith Renwick) in the handicap hurdle at 17.20, while Rolecarr (Mrs. Hamilton/ Lucy Alexander) could take the handicap chase half an hour later; he was third against better opposition last time out.

Of today´s three flat meetings, easily the best horses are to be seen on turf at Limerick in Ireland. Dermot Weld and his jockey Pat Smullen look the team to follow here. They have several fancied runners and we especially líke the 3yo´s Crimson Sunrise at 17.25 and Diplomat at 19.05, who could both turn out to be very useful. On the all-weather Koko Loca (Marco Botti/ Martin Harley) in the 3yo handicap at 17.40 at Wolverhampton and Colour Guard (Mark Johnston/ Joe Fanning) in the mile handicap at 21.25 at Kempton, both look likely winners.