3 more poor meetings today

Very poor sport on offer today on the U.K., with jumps racing at a low level in Folkestone (possibly its penultimate meeting ever!) and Towcester (standing in for Southwell, which is closed because of flooding) and even worse flat racing on the all-weather at Wolverhampton. There are a couple of interesting German-breds running at Folkestone, and we think that Ullmann-bred Promised Wings (Charlie Gordon/ Tom Cannon) must have a good chance in the opening handicap hurdle at 13.30 CET. The Monsun gelding was a winner here a year ago over 2 1/2 miles and today´s trip of two furlongs further should be no great problem. Inner Steel (Mrs. Richards/ Leighton Aspell) looks the main danger, having been runner-up the last twice, but he is actually still a maiden at the age of 7. Quadrato (Tim Vaughan/ Michael Byrne), a son of Sholokhov, could run well in the novice hurdle half an hour later, but the opposition looks quite strong here. The maiden hurdle at 15.00 looksd a match between U topian (Nick Gifford/ Aspell) and Westwatrd Point (Warren Greatrax/ Tony McCoy), both bumper winners. McCoy has a great record when riding for this trainer - they had a winner yesterday- and is therefore the selection. The handicap hurdle at 15.30 is for French and British amateur riders, and Splendid Life ( F Lagarde/ C Coste) came over from France last year to win at 33-1 and must have a chance of doubling up. However we prefer Mezarat (Michael Gates/ Nico de Boinville), as in our view the rider is the best amateur jockey around.

At Towcester, L´Eldorado (CC Bealby/ Tom Messenger) could defy top weight in the handicap chase at 13.45. He has been running in much better races and has been given a real chance by the handicapper. In theory, Angles Hill (R Woollacott/ MG Nolan) should win the novice hurdle at 14.50; his second place at Cheltenham last time is easily the best form on offer here, but lightly-raced Cloud Creeper (Donald McCain/ Calum Whillans) could be a problem. Cayman Islands (John Ferguson/ Denis O´Regan) is an interesting runner in the maiden hurdle at 15.20. He ran badly on his British debut, but was quite highly regarded when trained earlier on the flat by André Fabre. The two to beat on current form are clearly Present View (Jamie Snowden/ Tom O´Brien) and Moscow Presents (McCain/ Jason Maguire). We don´t like backing hot favourites in handicaps, but Dancing Daffodil (Robin Dickin/ Benjamin Poste) must have a great chance at 15.50; she has no penalty for her very easy win at Ludlow (by 46 lengths!) last time out. The opposition was poor that day but is probably no better today.

It is very rare to have Turkish-bred winners in the U.K., but Infortual (Charlie Hills/ Robert Winston) must have a good chance in the 7 furlongs maiden at 15.40 at Wolverhampton. On his only previous start, when trained by Marco Botti, he finished a close third at Lingfield in February, and a repetition of that form would be good enough. Punters are advisred to wait before having a bet on the staying handicap here at 16.40, as Thecornishcockney and Chookie Hamilton both won here yesterday, while Pertemps Networks (Mick Easterby/ Graham Gibbons) on here on Saturday. It is unlikely that they will all turn out out again, but our selection is the last-named - if he runs- as he runs his best races here.

Folkestone - betting forecast:
1. Race: Inner Steel - Finnegan Paddy - Award Winner
2. Race: Minella For Steak - Portrait Emotion - Beforeall
3. Race: Roc De Guye - Quix - Flowerbud
4. Race: Westward Point - Utopian - More Of That
5. Race: On The Feather - Splendid Life - Coverholder
6. Race: Spot The Ball - Guydus - Mr Valentino
7. Race: Ranthambore - I`m A College Boy - Midsummer Dream