5 meetings today

There is plenty of racing today but all at a low level. The best sport on offer is arguably in Ireland, where Ruby Walsh - fresh from banging in the winner for Paul Nicholls in England - can land a hat-trick at Thurles. Una Veintena, in the 3yo maiden hurdle at 16.50 CET and Pique Sous in the maiden hurdle for 5 and 6yo´s at 17.55 are both trained by Willie Mullins and will almost certainly start favourite, although hurdling debutant Broag Deas (Paul Nolan/ Andrew McNamara), who was decent on the flat, looks a danger in the former race. Ruby partners Nolan´s Shinrock Paddy in the main event, a hurdle race over 2 3/4 miles at 17.20, and at these weights he should beat Muirhead (Noel Meade/ Paul Carberry), whose recent form is anyway all over fences.

In the U.K. there is N.H. racing at Ludlow and Carlisle. At the former track, Henry Hook (Vic Dartnall/ Harry Derham), who was heavily backed and still going well when unseating his rider over this CD last time, can recover losses in the 3 mile handicap chase at 16.15; German-bred Sadler´s Star (Michael Blake/ Tom Cannon) is the main danger here. We also like ex-point-to-pointer Dancingtilmidnight (Harry Fry/ Noel Fehily) in the novice hurdle here at 17.15; his rookie trainer looks one to follow and saddled his first winner this week.

Jonjo O´Neill sends a strong team to Carlisle, with Tony McCoy riding all 4. Another Trump, back to form at Huntingdon 9 days ago, possibly has the best chance. They also have Mister Hyde, who has top weight in the main event, a 3 mile handicap chase at 16.55, but here we prefer The Magic Bishop (Malcolm Jefferson/ Harry Haynes), a recent CD winner with a possible fitness advantage over McCoy´s mount and also course specialist Vamizi (Lucinda Russell/ Peter Buchanan), who are both running for the first time since the spring. The cards at the two all-weather meetings, at Southwell this afternoon and Wolverhampton this evening, are pretty awful and best left alone.

Thurles - betting forecast:
1. Race: Our Victoria - Noras Fancy - Odonimee
2. Race: Bridgets Pet - Fernhurst Lad - The Westener Boy
3. Race: Jetson - Castle Wings - Panther Claw
4. Race: Kilmurry Kid - Banna Beach - Baby`S Hot
5. Race: Everything Zain - Brog Deas - Crouching Harry
6. Race: Muirhead - Shinrock Paddy - Western Leader
7. Race: Pique Sous - Giant`S Quest - Dale Street
8. Race: Cool Oscar - Whiskey And Red - Castle Ranger