3 poor meetings today

Low level racing at today´s 3 U.K.meetings. The most interesting race is the novice chase over 2 miles at 15.10 CET at Leicester with 7 runners, two of them already winners over fences -Court in Session (Martin Keighley/ Tony McCoy) and Tindaro (Paul Webber/ Denis O´Regan); they are therefore penalised and have to give 7 lbs to the rest, which may not be easy. Ciceron (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman) and Act of Kalinisi (Dr. Richard Newland/ Tom O´Brien), both useful handicap hurdlers are expected to make the grade now they are chasing. Balinroab (Jonjo O´Neill/ Richie Mclernon) is also expected to make the grade in time, but this may be too early. Although Act of Kalinisi ran better on his chasing debut than Ciceron, who was pulled up, we still just prefer the latter. The handicap hurdle half an hour later sees the return of Open Day (O´Neill/ McCoy), who looked promising when winning 2 races in February; he then lost his form completely and has come down a lot in the weigh ts. Obviously he has a chance in this weak affair, but we prefer the two bottom-weights, Minsky Mine (Milke Appleby/ McLernon) and Aegean Destiny (Jim Mackie/ Sam Twiston-Davies).

Things did not go to plan for Nicky Henderson at the big Cheltenham meeting, but he has good prospects of landing a double at a much lower level in Plumpton today with Broadbackbob in the novice chase at 14.20 and Looking Hopeful in the novice hurdle half an hour later, both partnered by Barry Geraghty. The obvious dangers are Tempo de Cotte (Paul Nicholls/ Daryl Jacob) and Turn over Sivola (Alan King/ Robert Thornton) respectively.

There is flat racing at Wolverhampton this afternoon, and the only races of much interest are the two divisions of the 7 furlongs handicap at 17.00 and 17.30. In the first divison we fancy Fathsta (Ian Williams/ Steve Donohoe), although he is wearing his owner´s second colours; Restaurateur (Andrew Balding/ David Probert), who won over this CD in early October, looks the one to beat but is badly drawn. However we think that Balding and Probert can take the second division with Katakoti. He used to be much better than this grade, but has put up a string of poor performances and has dropped to a very favourable rating. He cannot be recommended on form, but we are hoping that his first visit to this track may revitalise him.

Leicester - betting forecast:
1. Race: Cufflink - Madeira Girl - Allusive Power
2. Race: Hever Road - Nom De Guerre - Pairc Na Gcapall
3. Race: Rano Pano - Ghaabesh - Rowlestone Lad
4. Race: Act Of Kalanisi - Ciceron - Balinroab
5. Race: Luggers Hall - Aegean Destiny - Minsky Mine
6. Race: Croco Mister - Ouest Eclair - Thorncliffer
7. Race: Harris Garden - Benefit Cut - Kaylif Aramis