Small fields today

There are some small fields today - especially at the 3 afternoon meetings- and betting opportunities look very limited. One problem is that the ground is drying out rapidly after the long drought in most parts of the U.K. and not at all suitable for many N.H. performers. Prince Tam (Heather Graham/ Gary Rutherford) for example, who has top weight in the 2 mile handicap chase at 16.00 CET at Newcastle, is a CD specialist, but all his wins have come on soft ground and we therefore cannot fancy him today. Ice Image (George Charlton/ Alistair Findlay), behind him last time but better off now, could be the answer here.

Charlton also has a winning chance at Wetherby with the lightly-raced Winstone (Jan Faltejsek) in the handicap hurdle at 16.15 at Wetherby. The one to beat is Winning Habit (Nicky Henderson/ Tony McCoy), runner-up at Newbury last time, but he is likely to start at a very short price in view of his illustrious connections. We also like course specialist Border Reiver (Tim Easterby/ Richie McGrath) here, who will like the ground and all of whose wins have been at this track. An interesting runner on the all-weather is Red Hand (John Gosden/ William Buick) in the race for maiden fillies at 17.00 at Lingfield. She cost 425,000 guineas and connections have found an easy race to start her off; Of those that have run, Danube Rover (Mark Johnston/ Joe Fanning) is the only one to have shown any ability at all. The 3yo handicap at 18.05 looks tricky, with 4 of the 7 runners having won last time out. Incendiary (Hugo Palmer/ Noel Garbutt) paid 33-1 when scoring here 3 weeks ago, but won in good style and can follow up here.

Main interest at Wolverhampton this evening will be the battle for the all-weather jockeys championship, which will be decided today. Joe Fanning leads Luke Morris by one going into the final day and can wrap things up by taking the 6 furlongs handicap at 21.25 on Blown It, who meets hat-trick-seeking Captain Dimitrios on 10 lbs better terms for less than 2 lengths.

Even the Irish meeting at Dundalk is of only minor interest, but Exhortation (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen) looks a promising sort and can take the 3yo maiden at 20.45.