5 meetings today

5 meetings today. two over jumps and three on the all-weather, but nothing earth-shattering, and some small fields as well. The weather remains a problem. Although the going at the two N.H. meetings at Exeter and Hereford is given as good to firm, bad weather is certainly on the way. The chase course at Exeter is unsafe and the card comprises 5 races over hurdles and a bumper.

Tim Vaughan looks the trainer to follow at Exeter and can win the first 3 races. Both Grand Latou at 15.20 CET and Jive Master at 16.20 are ridden by Richard Johnson and are returning after several months off, while J´Adhere /Robert Kirk) will need to settle better than he did last time under his young jockey. Vaughan could also have a winner at Hereford, as Jaffonien (Aidan Coleman) has an obvious chance in the handicap chase at 17.40 after his good second place to a smart Paul Nicholls runner here last time. However we shall take a chance on Fix the Rib (Gary and Jamie Moore), who we fancied at Ascot on Saturday, when he threw away his chances by some poor jumping; this is a much easier race and he can make up for those lapses now. The Moores can also take the maiden hurdle at 15.10 with Regal Park, who was quite a decent staying handicapper on the flat; Barton Stacey (David Pipe/ Tom Scudamore) is the obvious danger here.

The best race at Lingfield is the 10 furlongs handicap at 18.00. Camborne (John Gosden/ Robert Havlin) is the likely favourite here, having won his only start so far. However he seems high enough in the weights for us and we prefer Big Creek (Jeremy Noseda/ Ryan Moore) and Southern State (Mark Johnston/ Kieren Fallon), both of whom should have a fitness advantage after several runs already this year.

At Wolverhampton this evening, the 3yo handicap over 9 1/ furlongs at 20.00 looks wide open. Apothecary (Gosden/ William Buick) and Zain Princess (Ger Butler/ Nicky Mackay) were second and third in a very tight finish over this CD recently and should again be involved, while Equity Card (Johnston/ Joe Fanning), My Sharena (Silvester Kirk/ Liam Keniry) and Spirit of the Law (Ed Dunlop/ Jamie Spencer) all finished last season in good form. However we give a tentative vote to Clive Brittain´s Manomime (Brett Doyle), who showed little in 2011 but was much improved to win over 7 furlongs on his seasonal debut; as a son of Manduro, he should be suited by this distance.

There are two good races on this evening´s Dundalk card. The conditions race for fillies at 19.50 has only 4 runners, but Up (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien) finished fourth in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf when last seen - and had previously won over CD - and looks unbeatable here with the O´Brien team already in good form. The 7 furlongs handicap an hour later look very competitive. Top-weight Banna Boiche (Mike Halford/ Shane Foley) has some excellent CD form to his credit and will not easily be beaten, but Billyford (Liam Roche/ Johnny Murtagh) has won his last 3 races - all here- and still appears nicely handicapped; he can complete a four-timer now.