Kempton and Ludlow

There should be no problems with today´s two meetings, but clearly the ground will be very soft at both. For a Monday, Kempton stage a pretty decent card with the listed mares hurdle over 3 miles at 15.05 CET the main event. Charlie Byrnes sends over Knockfierna (Daby Russell) from Ireland and she clearly has the ability to won this, but seems a bit tricky and has run out twice recently. She can certainly win, but we would rather not risk it. More reliable are Kells Belle (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty) and Kaffie (Kim Bailey/ JasonMaguire) who finished first and second over 2 1/2 miles at Sandown in January. Kaffie is now 8 lbs better off and it should be a close thing. Henderson has several other good chances on a track where he always does well. Snake Eyes (Tony McCoy) is apparently one of the stable´s big hopes for this season and he should therefore win the novice hurdle at 14.00, a race the trainer has won 4 times in the past 5 years. With Geraghty in the saddle, the stable can also take the opening handicap hurdle at 13.30 with Semi Colon and the beginners chase at 14.30 with Spirit River, but we are less convinced by Joker Choker at 15.35, as he probably needs better ground. Current Event (Paul Nicholls/ Harry Derham) could score for his big rival here. The danger could be Bally Legend (Caroline Keevil/ Tom O´Brien) and the same trainer can also take the following handicap hurdle with Moorland Sunset (James Best). although we also like Old Way (Venetia Williams/ Liam Treadwell) here, who has a great flat pedigree.

Venetia Williams can also be among the winners at Ludlow, where the quality is much lower; so can her namesake Evan Williams, and he should certainly win the opening maiden hurdle with the ex-Aga Khan runner Zarzal (Paul Moloney). Evan could also take the 2 miles handicap chase at 15.15 with top-weight Sublime Talent (Adam Wedge), who has been running in better company, while Venetia can win the beginners chase at 15.10 with Dare Me (Aidan /Coleman). Irish trainer Noel Glynn has two runners here, Inamalabalusaloon at 15.50 and Kaki Island an hour later, and both must be respected with top amateur Derek O´Connor in the saddle.

Kempton - betting forecast:
1. Race: South Stack - Hired Hand - Semi Colon
2. Race: Snake Eyes - Shady Lane - Piano Concerto
3. Race: Spirit River - The Druids Nephew - So Fine
4. Race: Kells Belle - Knockfierna - Miss Milborne
5. Race: Niceonefrankie - Turbo Du Ranch - Joker Choker
6. Race: Arkose - Iron Chancellor - Simply Ben
7. Race: Petit Ecuyer - Benny The Swinger - Knockdolian