Evening racing at Sandown

this evening´s card at Sandown is probably the best of the entire year for evening racing, with two group and two listed races. Main event is the Brigadier Gerard Stakes over 10 furlongs at 20.55 CET, in which Carlton House (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore) beaten favourite last year for both the Epsom and the Irish Derby runs for the first time since those defeats. He is almost certain to start favourite again, as his Dante win last year is easily the best form on offer here. Carlton House is owned by the Queen and all her trainers are trying extra hard this week to saddle a winner in the royal colours, as her Diamond Jubilee celebrations start at the weekend. Stoute and Moore had a winner for her yesterday evening (as we predicted) and despite the 10 month break should win this as well; Colombian (John Gosden/ William Buick), winner of a similar race over this CD on very heavy ground last time, and the mare I´m a Dreamer (David Simcock/ Jimmy Fortune) can take the minor plac es.

Thee Henry II Stakes over 2 miles at 20.20 has a much stronger field, although Godolphin´s Opinion Poll (Mahmood al Zarooni/ Frankie Dettori) is a worthy favourite following his good efforts in Dubai. He is a very consistent stayer and has finished first or second on all his last 7 starts, including when runner-up in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, which is his target again. Askar Tau (Marcus Tregoning/ George Baker), who has a German pedigree, looks held on that form, while Blue Bajan, who won this race last year, was even further behind. Godolphin´s second runner, the ex-French Ley Hunter (Saeed bin Suroor/ Mikael Barzalona) could run well but possibly needs soft ground, while the ex-German Ibicenco (Luca Cumani/ Kieren Fallon) is a very interesting cendidate. The Schlenderhan-bred has had a recent run and, in view of the doubts surrounding several of the principals here, might be a decent each-way bet.

The listed National Stakes for 2yo´s at 19.45 has some of the fastest juveniles yet seen out in the field. Richard Hannon has a good record here and saddles Sir Prancealot (Richard Hughes), but Mark Johnston´s pair Storm Moon (Joe Fanning)and yesterday´s non-runner Baileys Jubilee (Silvestre de Sousa) look dangerous.

The other listed race, the Heron Stakes over a mile for 3yo´s at 21.25, looks wide open. Khalid Abdullah has two good chances with Stipulate (Sir Henry Cecil/ Tom Queally) and Top Offer (Roger Charlton/ James Doyle), but Eastern Sun (Gosden/ Buick), Cogito (Brian Meehan/ Dettori), Irish History (al Zarooni/ Barzalona) and Tales of Grimm (Stoute/ Moore) are also contenders.

6 more meetings today

Once again, 6 meetings today, three of them National Hunt. but nothing much of importance. The best race of the day is the Hilary Needler Trophy for 2yo fillies this evening at 20.3 CET at Beverley. This event is frequently won by a subsequent Royal Ascot performer and the two likeliest winners are Baileys Jubilee (Mark Johnston/ Silvestre de Sousa) and Judy in Disguise (Bill Turner/ Ryan While). The latter has won both her starts in good style, while Johnston´s filly started off with two wins before flopping at York; if we can forgive her that poor race, then she is probably the one to beat here.

One of the pleasing features of the season so far has been the emergence of Graham Lee as a top jockey on the flat after years of riding winners - including the Grand National- over jumps. He has struck up a particularly fruitful partnership with Scottish trainer Jim Goldie, and the two of them have runners in the first 6 races at Ayr this afternoon. We would be very surprised if they go home without a winner and make Northern Fling at 16.40 and Toshi an hour later their best chances.

The top flat jockeys will be at Folkestone this evening, but the sport on offer is very poor. Ryan Moore has just one mount, Glittering Gold, owned by the Queen and trained by Sir Michael Stoute, who runs in the 3yo maiden at 21.15. He lost all chance on his debut by veering off at the start, but can put the record straight this time.

Over jumps, we think that front-runner Marodima (Jamie Snowden/ Tom O´Brien) can take the 2 mile handicap chase at 16.30 at Newton Abbot, while The Darling Boy (Tom George/ Paddy Brennan) and Sonic Anthem (Owen Brennan/ Harry Haynes) can defy top weight at 16.20 and 17.50 respectively at Sedgefield. In Ireland, Slieveardagh (Edward O´Grady/ Barry Geraghty) can take the 2 1/4 mile chase at 19.25 at Punchestown.

6 meetings today

Plenty of racing today but all at a very low level and no highlights. Fortieth and Fifth (Michael Bell/ Hayley Turner) has fnished first or second in his 3 races so far and makes his handicap debut at 16.10 CET at Ripon. Although he has been given weight, he shóuld be able to win this; the two fillies in the field, Eastern Destiny (Richard Fahey/Tony Hamilton) and Danube River (Mark Johnston/ Silvestre de Sousa) look the main dangers.

Half an hour later CD specialist Dubai Dynamo (Ruth Carr/ James Sullivan) attempts to repeat his 2011 victory in the mile handicap; he won again here 9 days ago and is still well handicapped but Emilio Largo (Sir Henry Cecil/ Tom Queally) looks a serious opponent. He ended last season with 3 successive victories, and although well beaten on both starts this year, is expected to show further improvement.

Another CD specialist is Spinning Waters (Dai Burchell/ Kelly Harrison) who runs in the 2 mile handicap at 17.00 at Chepstow. Four of his 5 career wins have been at this track, twice on the flat, including this race last year, and twice over hurdles. Sainglend (Paul Rich/ Jamie Spencer) has been in good form over hurdles, and his form in that regard is better, but we still prefer Spinning Waters because of his good course record.

The only races of interest at Lingfield are the two divisions of the 3yo maiden over 10 furlongs. Sir Michael Stoute saddles two in the first division at 17.50, Pulverize (Paul Hanagan) and the debutant Presume (Ryan Moore), both very all bred. Both could well turn out to be very useful, but preference today ís for the first-named, who has already run two decent races. The second division half an hour later can go to Muntasir (Saeed bin Suroor/ Frankie Dettori).

There are 3 .H. meetings this evening, with small fields at the two U.K. fixtures at Huntingdon and Hexham. There are also only 6 runners in the only good race at Ballinrobe in Ireland; Flycorn (Tom Hogan/ Paul Townend), who has been racing in better class events, can win this 2 1/2 mile hurdle race at 19.05.

No column tomorrow

This column will be off to Cologne tomorrow to see a British victory (?) in the German 2,000 Guineas and will be back on Tuesday.

Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh

Aidan O´Brien is winning everything in sight at the moment and we expect him to take both today´s Group One races in IreIand. The Irish 1,000 Guineas at 16.40 CET is the headline race, and after O´Brien has taken all the Guineas races so far run in Britain and Ireland he looks certain to take this one as well. He has 3 of the 8 runners, and his son Joseph - now firmly established as the stable´s number one jockey - partners Homcoming Queen, who won in such amazing style at Newmarket. She was 25/1 that day but there was no fluke about her performance and a repetition of that form would see her win easily today. Of her two stable-companions, After (Ryan Moore), fourth in the French Guineas, is easily preferred to Ishvana (Seamus Heffernan). For those who think that the O´Brien monopoly might be broken, La Collina (Kevin Prendergast(/ Declan McDonough), fifth at Newmarket, and Yellow Rosebud (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen) are recommended, but they are probably just running for a pl ace.
The Tattersalls Gold Cup over an extended ten furlongs at 15.35 is the other big race on the card, and father and son O´Brien can take this as well with So You Think. The NZ-bred won thie last year, and while he is not rhe world champion connections were hoping for, he is a very high class performer who has run well in some of the top races and has no serious opposition here. Famous Name (Weld/ Smullen), third last year, and Bible Belt (Jssica Harrington/ Fran Berry) can take the minor places.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Leitir Mor - Lines Of Battle - Thunder Mountain
2. Race: Crius - Tannery - Athens
3. Race: So You Think - Famous Name - Bible Belt
4. Race: Royal Diamond - Harrison`S Cave - Ansaab
5. Race: Homecoming Queen - Yellow Rosebud - La Collina
6. Race: Caprella - My Girl Anna - Pencil Hill
7. Race: Aziz - Areej - Harran
8. Race: Taigan - Hay Point - Truthwillsetufree

Haydock today

Haydock is the top U.K. meeting today, with the Group Two Temple Stakes at 16.00 CET as the main feature. This is always one of the best 5 furlong races of the season, and the likely favourite is Irish challenger Sole Power (Eddie Lynam/ Paul Hanagan), who won this in 2011 and the Nunthorpe the previous year. He has his ideal conditions today and, granted luck in running, we think he will win. He was very unlucky when a close third in the Abbaye last October and expect him to reverse the form with the winner Tangerine Trees (Bryan Smart/ Tom Eaves). More dangerous could be Bated Breath (Roger Charlton/ George Baker), twice runner-up to Dream Ahead in top sprints in 2011 and from a stable in great form; his problem could be that he is better at 6 furlongs - and indeed virtually untested at the minimum trip- and that he always runs well without winning. Also dangerous could be the two 3yo´s in the field, especially the filly Best Terms (Richard Hannon/ Kieren O´Neill), who sta rted off 2011 with 4 wins, including the Queen Mary and the Lowther, and is now brought back to sprinting after failing to stay a mile.
The other 7 races at Haydock are all handicaps (!!!) and all look very tricky indeed. Four we fancy are the Queen´s Moidore (Charlton/ Richard Mullen) at 15.00, Ganas (Clive Cox/ Kirby) - heavily backed last time, but his saddle slipped - at 16.30, Midnight Feast (Eve Johnson Houghton/ Paul Hanagan) at 17.05 and Shahzan (Roger Varian/ Andrea Atzeni) at 17.40.
There is decent racing at the other meetings as well, and Frankie Dettori and Saeed bin Suroor can combine to land a double at York with Saamidd at 15.35 and Cavalryman at 16.10, while Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore can do the same at Goodwood with Fiorente at 15.45 and Sea Moon at 17.25. Best race at Chester is the 7 furlongs handicap at 17.00 which could go to the top weight Eton Forever (Roger Varian/ Nail Callan).

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Moidore - Last Shadow - Beyond Conceit
2. Race: Gabrial - Frog Hollow - Mabaany
3. Race: Sole Power - Bated Breath - Tangerine Trees
4. Race: Ganas - Ertikaan - Azrael
5. Race: Seeking Magic - Midnight Feast - Klynch
6. Race: Shahzan - Farlow - Al Muheer
7. Race: Afaal - Three Am Tour - Hometown Glory
8. Race: Toymaker - Thackeray - Madam Macie

Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh

plenty of good racing this weekend, but the top races are the Irish Guineas at the Curragh and today´s 2,000 at 16.15 CET tops the bill. Unfortunately Jim Bolger´s ante-post favourite Parish Hall misses the race with a leg infection, so the place to look is the Newmarket equivalent a fortnight ago, in which French challenger Hermival (Mikel Delzangles/ Gregory Benoist) finished third, Trumpet Major (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) fourth, Born to Sea (John Oxx/ Pat Smullen) twelfth and Power (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien) a very disappointing seventeenth. The much faster ground today will suit Trumpet Major and we expect him to reverse the form with Hermival, but the other two could still be dangerous despite their poor showing then. Born to Sea will now be wearing first-time blinkers, and if he settles better, this brother to Galileo and Sea the Stars could run a big race. Oxx also saddles the Aga Khan´s Takar (Johnny Murtagh) and he should also figure prominently, while O´Brien also sends Kentucky Derby flop Daddy Long Legs (Colm O´Donoghue), consistent Wrote (Seamus Heffernan) and, presumably as a pacemaker, Reply (Fran Berry). This is a very open race with several possibilities, but we have a sneaking fancy for Born to Sea while Trumpet Major looks an each-way banker.
Three are two Group Three races on the undercard - the Greenlands Stakes over 6 furlongs at 15.40 and the Equestrian Stakes for older fillies and mares at 16.50. There are 9 runners in the latter race but it should really only concern Emulous (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen), who has won 5 of her last 6 races, including this one last year and the Group One Matron Stakes, and Alanza (John Oxx/ Murtagh), who has won 4 of her 7 career starts. They are both penalised, but it will be a surprise if any of the others get a look-in.
The Greenlands looks much more open and the field includes the first 3 from last year Hitchens (David Barron/ Fran Berry), Tiddliwinks (Kevin Ryan/ Smullen) and Santo Padre (David Marnane/ Fergal Lynch) as well as some interesting 3yo´s. Fire Lily (David Wachman/ Wayne Lordan) was a close 5th in the French 1,000 Guineas and is now back in distance, as is Crusade (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien) was an unlucky 6th in the Breeders Cup Juvenile after showing smart form to win the Middle Park at Newmarket.. Hitchens, who ran some fine races at the Meydan meeting earlier in the year, is very reliable and is our suggestion.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Teoirim - Delight - Highest Praise
2. Race: Liberating - Infanta Branca - Cay Verde
3. Race: Fire Lily - Crusade - Hitchens
4. Race: Hermival - Power - Takar
5. Race: Emulous - Alanza - Law Of The Range
6. Race: Croi An Or - Sweet Lightning - Banna Boirche
7. Race: Chicago - Sindjara - Van Rooney

Goodwood today

Much better racing at today´s 6 meetings and particular at Goodwood, where the main event is the listed Height of Fashion Stakes for 3yo fillies at 16.45 CET. Snow Fairy won this in 2010 and went on to win the Oaks, but it looks unlikely that there is an Oaks winner (next Friday!) in today´s field. Her trainer now saddles Zimira (Ryan Moore), who won her only race last year but was well down the field in the Lingfield Oaks Trial on her only start in 2012 and on that form is well held by Estrela (Roger Charlton/ Jams Doyle), whose stable is in great form. Coquet (Hughie Morrison(/ Robert Havlin) and Gathering (John Gosden/ William Buick) both looked potentially useful when winning last time out - but that was in the autumn and nelther has run since. Nayarra (Mick Channon/ Martin Dwyer) ran 9th in the 1,000 Guineas and was not far behind the placed horses; she has run some decent races, but is still a maiden and must concede weight to winners, which seems a bit unfair. We woul d choose her at level weights, but in receipt of 5 lbs we prefer Estrela, as the winner of the Lingfield race Vow is now one of the Epsom favourites.

One we like at a good price here is Katakosi (Andrew Balding/ David Probert), from another in-form stable. He runs in the 7 furlongs handicap at 16.10, which is quite a hot race. In theory he is held by top-weight Bonnie Brae (David Elsworth/ Ryan Moore), who was a long a in front of him at Ascot last time, but the going was very bad that day and on this much faster going we hope that Katakosi can put the record straight. Primaeval (James Fanshawe/ Hayley Turner) is a big danger.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Sky Lantern - Indignant - Glen Ginnie
2. Race: Eurystheus - Attenborough - Silver Lime
3. Race: Bonnie Brae - Yair Hill - Primaeval
4. Race: Gathering - Coquet - Minidress
5. Race: Al Khawaneej - Golan Way - Rasheed
6. Race: Blazing Field - Gilded Age - Astromagick
7. Race: Drakes Drum - Volito - Silvee

4 meetings today

The usual Tuesday low level cards today, with Nottingham and Brighton in the afternoon, and Kempton (all-weather) and Towcester (N.H.) this evening. Frankie Dettori is at Nottingham and we hope that he can take the 2yo maiden at 15.15 CET on Godolphin´s Gold Hunter. The one to beat is clearly Janoub Nibras (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes), third at Ascot on his debut, while Gold Hunter was also third at Newmarket.

These were both quite decent maidens over 5 furlongs and today´s extra furlong should suit them both. Frankie also had two rides for trainer George Baker, top-weight Relentless Harry in the 3yo handicap at 14.45 and Bugsys Boy in the 2 mile handicap at 16.15, and we think they also both have winning chances, even though the latter - also a winning hurdler - has not run for 15 months. The 10 furlong handicap for 3yo fillies at 16.45 looks quite tricky; the top weights Eluding (Mahmood al Zarooni/ Mikael Barzalona) and Dulkashe (Luca Cumani/ Kieren Fallon) are potentially useful, but are both making their 2012 debut so we give slight preference to Wolverhampton winner Al Jabreiah (William Haggas/ Liam Jones).

Seb Sanders is usually the jockey to follow at Brighton and he has two likely winners today, Millika for Rae Guest in the 6 furlongs maiden at 15.30 and Methayel for Clive Brittain in the mile handicap for fillies half an hour later. Neither however is likely to start at a very generous price.

Another hot favourite who should oblige i Handsome Ramsom (John Gosden/ William Buick) in the 10 furlongs maiden at 19.00 at Kempton. Half an hour later the very consistent Black Cadillac (Andrew Balding/ David Probert) can atone for his latest short head defeat by winning the sprint handicap., while Waldsee (P.Rich/ James Doyle), who has so far lived up to his excellent German pedigree, should finish in the frame in the 2 miles handicap at 19.30.

Tony McCoy rode 4 winners yesterday and can keep up the good work this evening at Towcester. We expect him to win the novice chase at 21,15 on Oliver Sherwood´s Kasbadali, a decent handicap hurdler making his debut over fences, and he also has possibilities on Little Fritz at 19.45, Like Ice at 20.15 and Lost Glory half an hour later.

Off to Baden-Baden

This column is now leaving for Baden-Baden and will return on Tuesday.

Highlights later in the week

Thursday´s big race at York is the Dante Stakes at 15.30 CET, normally the best Derby trial, and the likely field includes Bonfire (Andrew Balding/ Jimmy Fortune) and Mandaean (Mahmood al Zarooni/ Mikel Barzalona), both sons of Manduro and both prominent in Derby betting behind Camelot. Al Zarooni also holds a strong hand in Friday´s Yorkshire Cup, the first of the Cup races over long distances, when he saddles German-bred Be Fabulous (Barzalona) and Opinion Poll (Frankie Dettori).

Saturday sees the first British Group One race for older horses of 2012, the Lockinge Stakes over a mile at Newbury, and the return to action of Frankel (Sir Henry Cecil/ Tom Queally), officially rated the best horse in the world and still unbeaten. He should remain so, although it would be no surprise to see Excelebration, now with Aidan O´Brien and 3 times behind Frankel in 2011, get closer this time. On Sunday the action switches to Baden-Baden, which is where we shall be to see the seasonal debut of Arc winner Danedream.

York May meeting

The York May meeting starts today with the Group Two Duke of York Stakes over 6 furlongs at 16.00 CET as the main feature. This has attracted a strong field with CD specialist Hoof It (Mick Easterby/ Ryan Moore) the top-rated and likely favourite. However we feel that the ground may not be fast enough for him and prefer the much-improved Mayson (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan). He is held by The Cheka (Eve Johnson Houghton/ Neil Callan) on earlier form, but we were very taken with the style of his latest Newmarket success from Definightly (Roger Charlton/ James Doyle), who is trying now for revenge, while Libranno (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) and Society Rock (James Fanshawe/ Kieren Fallon) are also not without a chance.

The main supporting feature is the Musidora Stakes for 3yo fillies at 15.30, normally a good Oaks trial, although today´s field looks a bit substandard and The Fugue (John Gosden/ William Buick), 4th in the 1000 Guineas, and Twirl (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien) look by far the most likely winners.

6 meetings today

Plenty of racing today, but as is normal for a Tuesday, nothing of great importance. In the U.K., the racing this afternoon at Hereford and Wincanton and this evening at Southwell is over jumps, while the third day of the Irish meeting at Killarney has a mixed card of 3 chases followed by 4 flat races.

The flat racing comes from Beverley this afternoon and from the all-weather at Kempton in the evening. It is not often that one sees Ryan Moore riding at Beverley, but he is there for 3 rides today, and we expect him to win the 3yo maiden at 17.30 CET on Sir Michael Stoute´s Courage. The gelding made a decent debut at Newmarket a month ago and the Stoute stable has now hit form. Moore´s other mounts, Ed Dunlop´s Bursting Bubbles at 16.30 and Clive Brittain´s Quixote at 18.00 also have chances, although both these races look tricky. Stoute also sends two runners to Kempton, and Kieren Fallon partners them both - Strident Force at 19.20 and Top Diktat at 22.20, both of whom should also be thereabouts.

Over jumps, it is interesting that Venetia Williams, another trainer in form, has no runners at her local meeting Hereford, but instead has two runners at Wincanton - Plein Pouvoir at 16.10 and Kahsabelle half an hour later, both with Aidan Coleman in the saddle. They are the two top weights, but in each case the opposition looks weak, and they could easily both win.

At Killarney, we expect the smart hurdler Carlito Brigante (Gordon Elliott/ Davy Russell) to make a winning debut over fences at 19.30, while Thomasgainsborough (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien) can continue the winning run of the stable´s 3yo´s by taking the handicap for that age group at 20.30.

Listed race this evening at Windsor

5 meetings today, but nothing earth-shaking. The best race is the listed mile event at 20.10 CET at Windsor´s evening meeting with only 5 runners. Tullius (Andrew Balding/ Jimmy Fortune), who won a hot Newmarket handicap last time, is our selection to take this step up in grade successfully. He holds Memory Cloth (Brian Ellison/ Barry McHugh) on that form, and should also be too strong for KIng Torus (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) and the headstrong Skilful (John Gosden/ William Buick), 4th and 5th in a similar race at Kempton last time. Balding looks the trainer to follow at Windsor, as he hould also win the maiden race at 19.10 with the Queen´s Bank Bonus (Fortune) - it is not known if the owner will come down the hill from her castle to watch the race - and has good chances in the 3yo handicaps with Shot in the Dark (Liam Keniry) at 20.40 and Cades Reef (Fortune) at 21.10.

The afternoon cards at Redcar and Wolverhampton are very poor. We would not be surprised to see a couple of 10yo´s score at Redcar- Beckermet (Ruth Carr/ Dale Swift) at 15.30 and Zomerlust (John Quinn/ Matt O´Connell) half an hour later - although neither is a cast-iron certainty - and Ruth Carr also has a good chance at Wolverhampton with the 9yo Red Cape (James Sullivan) at 16.15, although we expect Arganil (Kevin Ryan/ Brian Toomey), a sprightly 7, to score here.

There is jumping this evening at Towcester and Killarney in Ireland, with bigger and better fields at the Irish track, where it is the second day of a 3-day meeting. Edward O Grady can win the two main events hrre, a hurdle race at 19.50 with German-bred Catch Me (Mark Walsh) and a handicap chase an hour later with Tranquil Sea (Barry Geraghty). The latter has to concede 20 lb or more to all his 13 opponents, but basically he is different class and should win accordingly.

top three-year-olds at Leopardstown and Longchamp

there are 3 poor jumps meetings in the U.K. today, and more of the same at Killarney; much more exciting are the high class flat cards at Leopardstown and, even better, at Longchamp, where the first two French classics of 2012 will be run.
The Poule d´Essai des Pouliches at 15.40 CET, the local equivalent of the1,000 Guineas, has one of the hottest favourites of the day in Beauty Parlour (Elie Lellouche/ Christophe Soumillon), who has been an impressive winner of her 3 starts to date and looks almost unbeatable here. Aidan O´Brien, who has dominated the 3yo scene so far saddles two fillies Up, with his son Joseph aboard, and After (Colm O´Donoghue), but they do not look good enough and much more dangerous is Petite Noblesse (Andre Fabre/ Maxime Guyon), who is also owned by the "Coolmore mafia" and looks the only conceivable danger to the favourite. We would like to see the Munich hope Chica Loca (Michael Figge/ FX Bertras) run well, but she has a mountain to climb here.
A Munich victory is much more likely in the colts race half an hour later, as the favourite Dabirsim (Christophe Ferland/ Soumillon) is owned by Simon Springer, also the boss of oneXtwo. Dabirsim was champion juvenile in Europe last year after winning all his 5 races, but controversially lost his unbeaten record in the Prix de Fontainebleau when touched off by Dragon Pulse (Mikel Delzangles/ Gregory Benoist) after an error of judgment by the jockey. Dragon Pulse is fancied to repeat that win, but we are confident that Dabirsim will turn the tables this time. More danger could come from the O´Brien supplementary entry Furners Green, while Coupe de Ville (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes), fifth in last week´s Guineas at Newmarket, is also expected to run well.
Also at Longchamp we expect to see Andre Fabre´s Monsun colt Masterstroke maintain his unbeaten record in the Prix Hocquart at 14.30 and Zantenda make a successful switch to sprinting in the Prix St.Georges at 17.15.
Aidan O´Brien is also strongly represented in the big races at Leopardstown. He has 2 of the 5 runners in the Derby trial at 16.45, with Wrote (Ryan Moore) clearly his main hope. Light Heavy (Jim Bolger/ Kevin Manning) looks a serious threat.and the Bolger/ Manning team can also take the 1,000 Guineas trial at 16.15 with Alla Speranza and defeat the two O´Brien runners in that race. Best thing here is Famous Name (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen) who can record his 10th course victory in the Amethyst Stakes at 15.45.

classic trials at Lingfield

there was a time when the Oaks and Derby trials at Lingfield were the most significant races leading up to Epsom, but that is no longer the case, and even less so today, when both races are run on polytrack because the turf track is waterlogged. The Derby Trial at 16.10 CET could well go to Goldoni (Andrew Balding/ David Probert), who won a similar race at Epsom but as a gelding is not even eligible for the Derby. Ed de Gas (Rae Guest/ Chris Catlin) and Main Sequence (David Lanigan/ Ted Durcan) are both unbeaten in 3 starts and could be dangerous, but are both moving up in grade here. Most of the fillies in the Oaks Trial at 15.40 are having only their second or third start. so there is little form to go on, but Vow (William Haggas/ Johnny Murtagh) created a favourable impression when winning on her debut and could be quite smart.
The Group 3 Chartwell Fillies Stakes at 15.10 could go to Chachamaidee (Sir Henry Cecil/ Tom Queally) and trainer and jockey have two more good chances with World Domination at 16.45 and Emilio Largo at 17.20.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Chachamaidee - Best Terms - Fallen For You
2. Race: Vow - Estrela - Colima
3. Race: Main Sequence - Rougemont - Goldoni
4. Race: World Domination - Beachfire - Cai Shen
5. Race: Dimension - Emilio Largo - Double Dealer
6. Race: Intercept - Kakapuka - Choral

Haydock today

Haydock stages one of its most interesting cards of the year today, with two valuable hurdle races as well as 5 flat races. The 3 mile hurdle that opens the card at 15.00 CET has 19 runners and is wide open, but we like the top-weight Cross Kennon (Jennie Candlish/ Alan O´Keeffe), who has been running in top races, likes it here and goes well on the soft. The 2 mile hurdle at 16.40, also with 19 runners, looks much tougher. Nicky Henderson has won the last two editions, and now saddles 3 runners - top-weight Lifestyle (Barry Geraghty), Petit Robin (Jerry McGrath) and All the Aces (Andrew Tinkler); we like the last-named best, as he was a group horse on the flat and seems well handicapped here. Red Merlin (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire), whose stable is in great form, looks sure to run well and Charm School (Evan Williams/ Adam Wedge) is another danger.
On the flat, we expect Markab (Henry Candy/ Dane O´Neill) to take the conditions race over 6 furlongs at 16.05; he won a Group One over this CD in 2010, and has Ayr Gold Cup winner Our Jonathan (Kevin Ryan/ Franny Norton) to beat. The listed race over 7 furlongs at 17.15 should lie between Beacon Lodge (David and Adrian Nicholls) and Red Jazz (Charlie and Michael Hills), although Firebeam, (William Haggas/ Richard Hughes) could possibly improve past them both.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Pateese - American Trilogy - Victors Serenade
2. Race: Annunciation - Barracuda Boy - Red Dragon
3. Race: Our Jonathan - Markab - Regal Parade
4. Race: Red Merlin - Arab League - Caravel
5. Race: Red Jazz - Firebeam - Beacon Lodge
6. Race: Assizes - Dance The Rain - Mr Spiggott
7. Race: Sugar Hiccup - Braveheart Move - Jo`Burg

Ascot today

the going at Ascot will be heavy today, and with many of the runners lacking all experience on such ground, punters should tread warily. The big betting race is the 7 furlongs Victoria Cup at 16.25 CET and, with 24 runners, another problem here could be the effect of the draw. Our guess is that the far side (high numbers) will be favoured, but we won´t know until a few races have been run. Our selection here is Fathsta (David Simcock/ Martin
Dwyer), drawn in the middle and who was a non-runner yesterday in a race at Chester won by a stable companion, but minimum stakes are recommended.
We have more confidence in ex-German Dawn Twister (Lucy Wadham/ Ian Mongan) in the listed race at 15.20, as he will love the ground and won well last time at Ripon. Aiken (John Gosden/ Ryan Moore), who has won his last 4 races, is an obvious danger, and so possibly is Tameen (Ed Dunlop/ Hayley Turner).
The fillies handicap over the straight mile at 15.50 is another tricky race. The Queen, who owns the racecourse, is unlikely to appear there today, but she could still have a winner with lightly-raced Free Verse (Richard Hannon/ Ryan Powell), who goes on the ground. Moone´s My Name (Ralph Beckett/ Martin Lane) and bottom-weight Chatterati (Mark Johnston/ Dominic Fox), both easy last-time-out winners, are the main dangers.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Sir Maximilian - Show Flower - Tahnee Mara
2. Race: Aiken - Dawn Twister - Tameen
3. Race: Moone`S My Name - Certral - Free Verse
4. Race: Tariq Too - Pastoral Player - Hawkeyethenoo
5. Race: Hototo - Cay Verde - Janoub Nibras
6. Race: Mon Ami Jolie - Paradise Spectre - Seek The Fair Land
7. Race: Peace Seeker - Kylladdie - Interakt
8. Race: Grumeti - Local Hero - Dragonera

Chester May meeting: third and final day

The Chester meeting goes into its final day with the ground still very bad and as a result the likely favourites for the two top events today have been scratched- Bonfire in the Dee Stakes at 15.05 CET and Sea Moon in the Ormonde Stakes half an hour later. These races now have tiny and weak fields and Aidan and Joseph O´Brien have good prospects of winning both with Astrology and Memphis Tennessee respectively.

Obviously Brown Panther (Tom Dascombe/ Kieren Fallon), beaten favourite for last year´s German Derby and later runner-up in the St. Leger, is a serious danger in the Ormonde, but neither race appeals for betting purposes. Owner Dr. Marwan Koukash loves to have runners at this meeting and has already enjoyed a successful week. He runs 3 in the opening 7 1/2 furlongs handicap, including the 2011 1-2 Kyllachy Star (Richard Fahey/ Tony Hamilton) and Pintura (David Simcock/ Jamie Spencer). The latter is now 2 lbs better off for a head and wears the first colours, so he is our selection. Trainer Ruth Carr is another one who likes it her and she saddles 3 in the 7 furlongs handicap at 16.40, a race she won last year: Orpsie Boy (Dale Swift), Al Muheer (James Sullivan) - both penalised for a recent win- and No Hubris (Andrew Mullen); of these we prefer the first-named, but this is a very tricky race with several possibilities. The 5 furlongs handicap for 3yo´s at 16.05 looks more str aightforward: Ballesteros (Brian Meehan/ Ryan Moore) is in good form, acts on the ground and is well drawn. He looks likely to be involved in the finish, with another last-time-out winner Dam Beautiful (Kevin and Amy Ryan) the main danger.

Ripon (today) and Hexham (tomorrow) abandoned

The bad weather news continues and today´s meeting at Ripon has been abandoned as well as tomorrow´s at Hexham. In addition all races at this evening´s Ascot fixture will be run on the straight course, so there are now just 6 races with a late start - and 5 of them have tiny fields. What will happen to tomorrow´s fixture is not yet clear, but the round course seems to be unraceable at the moment. Racing at Lingfield today and tomorrow (including the classic trials) will now be on the all-weather instead of on turf, while Warwick has switched Saturday´s flat card to a jumps meeting.

Chester May meeting: second day

with Goodwood and Newton Abbot both abandoned, Chester now stages the only racing in Britain this afternoon, but there is a strong card. However with heavy ground and lots of non-runners, caution is advised. Main event is the Chester Vase for 3yo´s over 1 1/2 miles at 15.35 CET, with only 5 runners, but none that can be easily discarded. We expect an Irish success, with either David Livingston (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien) or Call to Battle (John Oxx/ Johnny Murtagh) victorious. This is supposedly a Derby trial, but it will be a surprise if any of today´s runners make the frame at Epsom.

The Group Three Huxley Stakes for older horses over 1 1/4 miles is other big race and Godolphin have a strong hand here with Hunters Light (Frankie Dettori) and Prince Siegfried (Mikael Barzalona) engaged. Both are trained by Saeed bin Suroor and act on soft ground, but we assume that Frankie is riding the stable´s main hope. Questioning (John Gosden/ William Buick) is in good form, but may find this trip too far on the ground while Wigmore Hall (Michael Bell/Jamie Spencer) possibly needs better going.

The handicaps, despite small fields, look very tricky, but Richard Fahey has described Gabrial (Spencer) in the 16.05 as his best chance of themeeting, so we shall go along with that, while Andrew Balding and Jimmy Fortune have the top weights in Opera Gal at 14.35 and Intransigent at 17.15 and both should be thereabouts.

Goodwood abandoned

This afternoon´s Goodwood fixture has been abandoned following further heavy rain, however the evening meetings at Yarmouth and Wincanton, both of which were thought to be in danger, will now go ahead. There are also problems at Ascot, where the round course is currently unraceable; two races tomorrow evening have therefore been cancelled and all races will be run on the straight course.

Chester May meeting starts today

The May meeting starts today - one of the most popular fixtures in thecalendar. The Roodeye racetrack, used for racing since the 16th century, is inside the old Roman walls and extremely tight - the runners for the Chester Cup, today´s main feature and a valuable 2 1/4 mile handicap at 15.35 CET, go past the winning post 3 times. An inside draw is a huge advantage here and our advice is not to back anything drawn higher than 10.

Even leaving out the badly drawn runners (which includes O´Brien, Cecil and Johnston candidates) the race still looks very tricky, but our fancy is bottom-weight Shubaat (Roger Varian/ Dominic Fox), a lightly-raced son of Monsun who won in good style at Musselburgh last time. He is up in trip and grade here, but we think he is up to the task. Last years winner Overturn (Donald McCain/ Eddie Ahern), a strong front-runner and also a top-class hurdler, is an obvious danger despite his big weight, and Mark Johnston´s second string Eternal Heart (Joe Fanning) and longshot Kiama Bay (John Quinn/ Tom Eaves) also make our short list.

The main supporting feature is the listed Cheshire Oaks for 3yo fillies at 15.05, for which Betterbetterbetter (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien) is a clear favourite following an easy win in Dundalk. But this is a much tougher race and we are not at all sure that Joseph can do the weight. Cubanita (Ralph Beckett/ Jim Crowley), Inchina (Roger Charlton/ James Doyle) and the Shirocco daughter Zaina (Gerald Butler/ Dane O´Neill) are possible each-way alternatives. There are also two very open 5 furlong races on the card, a handicap at 16.05 and a conditions race at 17.15. Our selections here are respectively Star Rover (David Evans/ Andrea Atzeni) and Duchess Dora (John Quinn/ Tom Queally).

Finally punters should bear in mind that Chester lies in the centre of one of the U.K.´s richest areas, and Premier League footballers in particular are at home here. Local trainer Tom Dascombe´s yard is owned by Michael Owen,
who runs Third Half in the 3yo handicap at 17.45 that was won last year by his half-brother Brown Panther. In the opening 2yo race at 14.35 stable companion Pippy, also partnered by Richard Kingscote, makes his debut. He is owned by Wayne Rooney and while horses obviously do not who their owners are, we still think this pair should be backed.

5 meetings today

Once again the best racing today comes from Ireland, from the evening N.H. meeting at Punchestown, which includes some races cancelled at the Festival meeting three because of the bad weather. The weather is till not good - though not as bad as it was then- and the going will still be very testing. The big race is the AON handicap chase over 2 miles 5 furlongs at 18.50 CET in which Foildubh (John Ryan/ Paul Carberry), a winner at the Festival, runs again under top weight, while Call the Police (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh)lo h a big weoght to crry. They can of course win, but we prefer the lighter weights and will take a chance on Like Your Style (Eddie Harty/ Mark Walsh), Mullins and Ruby have another fancied runner in the other big chase, over 2 miles at 19.50, Raptor, who ran 4th in the Guinness race here ten days go, but here we prefer Osana (Edward O´Grady/ Barry Geraghty), who finished behind that day but is better off at the weights and better suited by the shorter dist ance. Mullins and Ruby should certainly not go home empty-handed, and we expect them to take the chase over 2 1/4 miles at 19.20 with Lambro.

There is N.H. racing in the U.K. at Fakenham this afternoon and Exeter this evening, but at a much lower level. At the former track we expect Paul Nicholls and Harry Derham at land a double with Captain Kelly at 16.30 and Deireadh Re half an hour later, while at Exeter Philip Hobbs and Richard Johnson can take the first two races with Princely Player at 18.55 and Bold Henry at 19.25. The last-named, who would have won easily at Kempton last time but for tipping over at the last, is our best bet of the day (assuming he doesn´t all over again!)

The flat racing, at Southwell this afternoon and Catterick in the evening, is very uninspiring. The staying handicap at Catterick at 20.40 could go to Hi Dancer (Ben Haslam/ Phillip Makin) who has been in improved form over hurdles this spring.

4 meetings in the U.K.

Even with Warwick abandoned, there are still 4 flat meetings today in the U.K., but as is usually the case on a bank holiday, they are all very low level and consist mainly of poor handicaps. If there is a single decent performer running today in England, it can only be Terdaad (Saeed bin Suroor/ Frankie Dettori) who goes for the mile handicap at 17.50 at Kempton. The Godolphin 4yo is very lightly raced and only ran once last year, winning at Salisbury. Munsarim (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan) and Forceful Appeal (Simon Dow/ Hayley Turner) both multiple winners this year, but in much weaker company, and we expect the main threat to come from Perfect Cracker (Clive Cox/ Adam Kirby) or Chapter and Verse (Mike Murphy/ Tony Culhane) but Terdaad looks different class and should win.

At Bath Bernard Llewellyn has 3 of the 7 runners in the staying handicap at 16.10. German-bred Salontyre (Chris Catlin), also a useful hurdler, was runner-up in a imilar race over this CD last time and can go on better today.

At Windsor, the 3yo mile handicap at 17.45 is quite a tricky event - 6 runners, and 5 of them last-time-out winners. However we like the one that did not win - Debating Society (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore) who meets his conqueror Falcon in Flight (Jermy Noseda/ Jimmy Fortune) on a stone better terms for a 7 lengths beating at Yarmouth.

Our only fancy on a poor card at Beverley is Moheebb (Ruth Carr/ James Sullivan) in the handicap over an extended mile at 17.00, a race won by the same trainer and jockey last year.

Ireland today

Today is a bank holiday in Britain and Ireland with plenty of racing, but easily the best sport is to be found at the Curragh, where there are two group races. The Mooresbridge Stakes over 10 furlongs at 17.25 CET has been won for the past two years by Fame and Glory and So You Think, and their trainer Aidan O´Brien obviously intends to win the race again as he has 3 runners, of whom Robin Hood (Seamus Heffernan) and Windsor Palace (Colm O´Donoghue) ar presumably in the field to act as pacemaker for the likely odds-on favourite St. Nicholas Abbey, who will be partnered by son Joseph. Although it woud be unwise to ignore the O´Brien pacemakers after yesterday´s 1,000 Guineas, we would be flabbergasted if either of them beat St. Nicholas Abbey, who won the Breeders Cup Turf last autumn and was an excellent runner-up to Cirrus des Aigles last time in Dubai.

Those pieces of form makes him almost unbeatable here, but we shall still go against him with Sharestan (John Oxx/ Johnny Murtagh). The lightly-raced Aga Khan 4yo was most unlucky to lose last time to Famous Name and looks to have the potential for a great deal of improvement. The Aga Khan, Oxx and Murtagh can also take the listed race for 3yo´s at 15.50 with the very promising Takar, who has Triumphant (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien) to beat. The O´Brien´s also have a fancied candidate in the Group Three Athasi Stakes over 7 furlongs at 16.20; this is a very weak race, but our preference is for An Ghalanta (Jim Bolger/ Kevin Manning) who ran badly on her seasonal debut but had plenty of decent form last year.

The only jumps racing today takes place in Down Royal, where the hurdle race over 2 3/4 miles at 16.05 is the most interesting event. Terminal (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh), who got bogged down in the mud at Punchestown last time, is our selection.

Guineas double for O`Brien?

Camelot duly won yesterday´s 2,000 Guineas for Aidan and Joseph O´Brien and the unbeaten Maybe looks to have a good chance of completing the stable double in today´s 1,000 Guineas at 16.15 CET at Newmarket. Maybe won all her 5 starts in 2011 in the style of a very smart filly, signing off in the Moyglare, and is the clear form choice. However, just like Camelot yesterday, we cannot recommend her as a good bet as she is no value at the likely skinny price. Alternatives are Godolphin´s two runners Discourse (Mikael Barzalona) and Lyric of Light (Frankie Dettori), both unbeaten at two and representing trainer Mahmood al Zarooni who won this race last year. Both should go well, but we think Frankie has made the right choice. The sole French runner Mashoora (Jean-Claude Rouget/ Christophe Soumillon), winner of the Prix Imprudence, is also expected to run well, while the winner of the Newbury trial, the Fred Darling, Moonstone Magic (Ralph Beckett/ Jim Crowley) has been supplemente d for 30,000 GBP, which certainly indicates confidence. Apart from the favourite. there are 4 more Irish runners. of whom La Collina (Kevin Prendergast/ Declan McDonough), who once ran Maybe close last year, appears the strongest. To sum up, Maybe can win and probably will, but we would need 2-1 or better before backing her. In our opinion, Lyric of Light, Moonshine Magic and La Collina are the best each way alternatives.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Anatolian - Sandusky - Caucus
2. Race: Timepiece - Khawlah - Izzi Top
3. Race: Maybe - Lyric Of Light - Moonstone Magic
4. Race: Seal Rock - The Confessor - Maarek
5. Race: Mysterial - Gold Hunter - New Pearl
6. Race: Lacily - Hazel Lavery - Arsaadi
7. Race: Samba King - Good Of Luck - Mubaraza

Rest of Newmarket

The Group 3 Dahlia Stakes over 9 furlongs for fillies and mares at 15.35 CET is the main supporting feature, but has a disappointing turnout now that our local hope Golden Lilac misses the race. This now looks to lie between Izzi Top (John Gosden/ William Buick), third in the Oaks last year, and Timepiece (Sir Henry Cecil/ Tom Queally). The latter is top-rated, is ideally suited by the course and distance and is therefore our selection. Godolphin have a strong hand in the listed race for 3yo fillies over 10 furlongs at 18.00 with Kailani (Mikael Barzalona) and Lacily (Frankie Dettori) entered, however we are hoping for a good performance from Gerhard Schöningh´s Bon Allumage (Cecil/ Queally), a daughter of the good mare Brisk Breeze.

There are also two ferociously difficult handicaps on the Newmarket card, over 1 1/2 miles at 15.05 with 15 runners and over 6 furlongs at 16.50 with 25. In the former we choose German-bred Local Hero (Steve Gollings/ Darryll Holland), a useful hurdler who is having his first race on the flat for 18 months. In the latter almost anything is possible, especially as David Barron and Richard Fahey each have 3 runners and sprint specialist Henry Candy two. Our 4 against the field are Waffle (Barron/ Graham Gibbons), Seal Rock (Candy/ Dane O´Neill), Mirza (Rae Guest/ David Probert) and Fathsta (David Simcock/ Martin Dwyer). Obviously almost all the top jockeys are at Newmarket today, but it is significant that Richard Hughes is riding at Salisbury, where he has several fancied mounts and we expect him to ride at least 3 winners.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Anatolian - Sandusky - Caucus
2. Race: Timepiece - Khawlah - Izzi Top
3. Race: Maybe - Lyric Of Light - Moonstone Magic
4. Race: Seal Rock - The Confessor - Maarek
5. Race: Mysterial - Gold Hunter - New Pearl
6. Race: Lacily - Hazel Lavery - Arsaadi
7. Race: Samba King - Good Of Luck - Mubaraza

Rest of Newmarket

The main supporting feature is the Group Two Jockey Club Stakes over 1 1/2 miles at 15.30 CET, which has attracted a strong field, including two fancied runners from France: Dunaden (Mikel Delzangles/ Johnny Murtagh), winner of the Melbourne Cup, and Meandre (Andre Fabre/ Maxime Guyon), winner of the Grand Prix du Paris. The home defence is led by St. Leger winner Masked Marvel (John Gosden/ William Buick) and Fiorente (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore), who has not run since being beaten a neck at Glorious Goodwood. This is tricky. but we shall take a chance on Fiorente, a Monsun colt who looks a likely improver.

The other group race is the Palace House Stakes over 5 furlongs at 16.45. We ought to know by now if there is any draw bias at Newmarket today, but if the low numbers are not disadvantaged we choose Mayson (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan), drawn 2, who is consistent and won here nicely over 6 furlongs last time. Otherwise we shall go for Margot Did (Michael Bell/ Hayley Turner) and Night Carnation (Andrew Balding/ Jimmy Fortune).

There is also a decent card at Goodwood, with two listed races for fillies, over 1 1/2 miles at 15.15, which should go to Vita Nova (Sir Henry Cecil/ Ian Mongan), runner-up last year in the Yorkshire Oaks, and over a mile at 17.05, which lies between Barefoot Lady (Fahey/ Tony Hamilton) and Esenetepe (Richard Hannon/ Pat Dobbs, the last two winners of the Nell Gwyn Stakes.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Fury - Memory Cloth - Circumvent
2. Race: Meandre - Fiorente - Dunaden
3. Race: Camelot - Abtaal - Born To Sea
4. Race: Mayson - Hamish Mcgonagall - Margot Did
5. Race: Es Que Love - Ultrasonic - Mince
6. Race: Noble Mission - Mariner`s Cross - Mister Music
7. Race: Archbishop - Frog Hollow - Campanology

2,000 Guineas at Newmarket

The classic season starts today with the Guineas meeting at Newmarket, and with 18 runners the 2,000 Guineas at 16.10 CET looks very open. However the betting is very one-sided with Camelot (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien) a very short-priced favourite, following his impressive win in the Racing Post Trophy last October. He could well win, but in our view he represents no value at odds of around 6-4. O´Brien has won this race 4 times this century, but has not in fact won an English classic for the past 4 years. The distance could also be on the short side for a son of Montjeu, while it might be ideal for O´Brien´s other runner Power (Ryan Moore) and also for the third Irish runner Born to Sea (John Oxx/Johnny Murtagh), a half-brother to Galileo and Sea the Stars.

There are also 3 French runners engaged - French Fifteen (Nicholas Clement/ Olivier Peslier), Abtaal (Jean-Claude Rouget/ Christophe Soumillon) and Hermival (Mikel Delzangles/ Gregory Benoist), who finished 1-2-3 in that order in the Prix Djebel. We would not be surprised to see Abtaal to come out best of this trio now.There are not enough form lines to predict with confidence whether the French, Irish or British will come out in top, but on balance we expect an Irish victory. John Oxx is a trainer we greatly admire and Born to Sea is our choice, even though he has to show improved form to win here.

A British victory is to our mind unlikely. The most obvious candidates are Trumpet Major (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) easy winner of the Craven Stakes over this CD, and Caspar Netscher (Alan McCabe/ Shane Kelly), who won the other major trial, the Greenham at Newbury. The dark horse of the race is Top Offer (Roger Charlton/ Jack Doyle),a very easy winner of his only start, but that was last August. and to win a classic on only his second start would be an amazing feat.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Fury - Memory Cloth - Circumvent
2. Race: Meandre - Fiorente - Dunaden
3. Race: Camelot - Abtaal - Born To Sea
4. Race: Mayson - Hamish Mcgonagall - Margot Did
5. Race: Es Que Love - Ultrasonic - Mince
6. Race: Noble Mission - Mariner`s Cross - Mister Music
7. Race: Archbishop - Frog Hollow - Campanology

Chepstow abandoned

This afternoon´s Chepstow fixture has been abandoned as the track is waterlogged. This leaves just Musselburgh and Wolverhampton racing this afternoon, although there is also evening N.H. racing at Bangor and Fontwell, as well as Kilbeggan in Ireland and the usual Irish all-weather meeting at Dundalk. To be honest, there is nothing of much quality to be seen running today, but it is certainly interesting that Saeed bin Suroor has entered two Godolphin 3yo´s in the 7 furlong maiden races at Wolverhampton, Blue Tiger (Mikael Barzalona) at 15.10 and Mizwaaj (Silvestre de Sousa) half an hour later, while in the latter race Barzalona partners Mahmood al Zarooni´s Curzon Line, another Godolphin 3yo. Godolphin rarely has runners at this track, but Saeed has a strike rate of over 30% here, so they must be taken very seriously.

At Musselburgh the best race is the 3yo handicap over 9 furlongs at 16.00. This looks quite a hot race, with 4 last-time-out winners. Clayton (Kevin Ryan/ Phillip Makin) won by 9 lengths on his debut, and although he must now carry top weight, may be good enough to win again. The ex-Godolphin Borug (James Tate/ Paul Hanagan) can take the handicap for older horses over the same trip half an hour later, also under top weight.

5 poor meetings today

We have the Guineas meeting at Newmarket (where it rained heavily last night) to look forward to at the weekend, but today´s cards are frankly dreadful and 21 of the 22 flat races in the U.K. are class 5 or 6, with prize-money almost always under 2,000 GBP to the winner. The exception is the 3yo handicap over 7 furlongs at 16.40 CET at Lingfield, which we hope will be won by Godolphin´ s Ihtiraam (Saeed bin Suroor/ Frankie Dettori).

The Teofilo filly is not one of the stable´s atars, but she won her only start last season- beating an odds-on favourite - and may have been let in lightly here. The two Richard Hannon runners Beach Candy (Richard Hughes) and Jumeirah Palm Star (Shane Levey) look the main dangers.

At Musselburgh we like Le Chat d´Or (Michael Dods/ Paul Mulrennan) in the mile handicap at 16.00. Still lightly raced, he got off the mark at Redcar in a style that suggested that more wins can follow. The most interesting feature of the card at Brighton is that Mirco Demuro has been booked to ride Mark Johnston´s Heavy Metal in the 2yo maiden at 18.05. In our opinion the Italian is one of the best jockeys in the world and he is spending the summer as a freelance based in Newmarket. We are not saying this horse will win - he was well beaten on his debut - but as Mirco´s only ride he must be considered seriously.

The only jumps racing is at Hereford where fields are very small and the 2 mile handicap chase at 17.50 is the best event. Even wíth only 5 runners, this is still tricky, but we hope that German-bred Oldrik (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson) can score. The prize-money is better at the Irish meeting at Tipperary, but the heavy going will make things difficult. We expect that Aidan O´Brien and Dermot Weld will between them dominate affairs.

Ascot card to be run at Kempton

Ascot was due to stage its flrst flat meeting on 2012 today, but the track is waterlogged and the meeting has been transferred to the all-weather course at Kempton. The main feature is the Group Three Sagaro Stakes over 2 miles at 16.45 CET, which sees the reappearance of Red Cadeaux (Ed Dunlop/ Ryan Moore), who finished last season with excellent placings in the Melbourne Cup and Hong Kong Vase.

That form would undoubtedly be sufficient here, but we suspect that he will need the race and will look elsewhere. Barbican (Alan Bailey/ Darryll Holland), was much improved last year and signed off by winning a listed race here over shorter in November; he holds Solar Sky (Sir Henry Cecil/ Tom Queally) on earlier form. Electrolyser (Clive Cox/ Adam Kirby) is a solid perfor mer at this level, was third in this race in 2010 and has already won in good style this season, while Thimaar (John Gosden/ Paul Hanagan) won a good handicap over this CD at Easter; more is now required, but that form has already been boosted. Our choice is Colour Vision (Saeed bin Suroor/ Frankie Dettori), who was trained last year by Mark Johnston to finish third in the Cesarewitch and also the Long Distance Cup. He could complete a double for the Godolphin team, as we also expect Saamidd to win the listed mile race at 16.10. This one looked very smart when winning his first 2 races at 2, but then was p ut firmly in his place by Frankel. He has not run since finishing lame in the 2011 2,000 Guineas, but if back to anywhere near his 2010 form should win here. Consistent Side Glance (Andrew Balding/ Jimmy Fortune), who won this race last year at Ascot, is clearly next best. Gusto (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) looks a smart young sprinter, and has won his last 4 races, including this CD, and can take the listed race for 3yo´s over 6 furlongs at 17.20.

Kempton - betting forecast:
1. Race: Lyric Ace - Baddilini - Mossgo
2. Race: Fallen For You - Gifted Girl - My Queenie
3. Race: Side Glance - Saamidd - Sri Putra
4. Race: Red Cadeaux - Colour Vision - Electrolyser
5. Race: Gusto - Burwaaz - Bannock
6. Race: Reachforthebucks - George Baker - Ree`S Rascal

6 meetings today

Exeter (N.H.) and Yarmouth hae both passed early morning inspections, so all 6 meetings in the U.K. and Ireland go ahead, although the going will be very soft/ heavy at the turf fixtures. However the quality is very poor throughout and betting opportunities are rare.
Over jumps, we think that Royal Riviera (Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies) has a chance of defeating hot favourite Diamonds Return (David Pipe/ Conor O´Farrell), going for a quick hat-trick, in the opening handicap hurdle at 15.20 CET, while Egretta Island (Warren Greatrex/ Wayne Hutchinson) and South Stack (Kim Bailey/ Charles Greene), both easy winners a week ago at Towcester, can follow up at 17.20 and 17.50 respectively. At Sedgefield this evening we expect top-weights Spear Thistle (Jim Best/ Tom Scudamore) at 19.45 and The Thirsty Bricky (David Thompson/ Tony Kelly) half an hour later, both of whom act well in the conditions, to run well. At the Irish N.H. meeting this evening at Ballinrobe, the most interesting race could be the bumper at 21.25; in theory well-bred Dancers Dilemma (Dermot Weld/ Robbie McNamara), having run well on both starts with a large interval in between, should win this, but in-form Willie Mullins, always to be feared in such events, introduces an in teresting newcomer in Wrong Way Corrigan, so be warned!
The only flat racing on turf is at Yarmouth but bets should be kept to a minimum on this very testing ground. Triple Charm (Jeremy Noseda/ Jamie Spencer) has won 3 of her last 4 races an can score again in the 7 furlongs handicap at 16.40. As a daughter of Pivotal, ahe should handle the ground. Top-weight Al Khaleej (David Simcock/ Martin Lane) has not run for 6 months, but is dropping in grade and could be the danger.

Betting forecast Sedgefield:
1. Race: Grouse Lodge - Optimist - Gwladys Street
2. Race: De Faoithesdream - Tekthelot - Hurraboru
3. Race: Esme Rides A Gaine - Bubbly Breeze - Mansonien l`As
4. Race: Spear Thistle - Kent Street - Karingreason
5. Race: The Thirsty Bricky - Mon Chevalier - Alpha One
6. Race: Short Supply - Destiny Blue - Sydney Cove
7. Race: Supreme Asset - Vuvuzela - Mac Steamy