5 meetings today

plenty of racing today, with the most interesting events over jumps at Punchestown in Ireland, particularly the races for maidens and beginners. Oscars Well (Jessica Harrington/ Robbie Power) makes his fencing debut in the beginners chase over 2 miles at 13.45, and if he jumps round safely this top-class hurdler (sixth in the latest Champion Hurdle) should win. Harrington has another good chance with Operating (Barry Geraghty) in the maiden hurdle at 15.20, where another useful bumper winner Clonbanan Lad (Henry de Bromhead/ Andrew Lynch) looks a big danger. The latter team also has Buckers Bridge, winner of his last 3 and now making his chasing debut, under orders at 14.15, where the smart Sword of Destiny (Noel Meade/ Davy Russell) is the main danger.
There are also some interesting debutants at Haydock, where there are mainly small fields for their first N.H. fixture of the season.Tony McCoy partners listed-class flat race performer (for Michael Bell, and now running for the first time for Jonjo O´Neill) in the 3yo hurdle at 14.40 and later Josie´s Orders for the same trainer at 15.50. However Emerging Artist (Evan Williams/ Paul Moloney) looks a big threat in the latter race, although he has been off the track for 18 months. He had earlier some decent flat form for Mark Johnston. All these races should be watched with an eye to the future, but are not necessarily good betting races.
Some betting betting opportunities in our view can be found on the flat. At Nottingham, Aubrietia (Alan McCabe/ David Bergin) looks a cast-iron each-way bet in the opening 5 furlongs handicap at 13.20; he was won 5 times since June, including this CD twice, and his penalty for his recent win is cancelled out by the allowance of his tslented rider. Andrew Balding sends a strong team from his Hamshire base, and we expect Queen´s Star (David Probert) to win the 2 miles handicap for him at 13.50,while the Queen´s White Mouth (Jimmy Fortune) has a chance in the 2yo maiden at 14.55. The mile handicap at 15,30 is quite an open race, but now that the ground is better, we expect top-weight Extraterrestrial (Richard Fahey/ Derek Nolan) to run well at a big price. The card ends with two races for lady jockeys and the very experienced Serena Brotherton can possibly win both of them on Tawseef at 16.35 and Honoured half an hour later.

Betting forecast at Punchestown:
1. Race: Oscars Well - Plan A - Darwins Fox
2. Race: Sword Of Destiny - Buckers Bridge - Daring Article
3. Race: Mr Goodenough - Spot The Boss - Sensational Sema
4. Race: Operating - Dani Catalonia - Clonbanan Lad
5. Race: Troubled - Connaught Manor - Jupitor
6. Race: Marshim - Underdefloorboards - Followmeuptocarlow
7. Race: Taispeantas - Ourbeautifuldream - Jennies Jewel