4 meetings today

4 meetings today, but easily the best race is the hurdle race over 2 1/2 miles at 14.35 CET at Punchestown. This event has attracted a very strong field for the money and all eyes will be on Solwhit (Charlie Byrnes/ Andrew Lynch), who makes his comeback after almost 2 years off the track. This top-class hurdler has won11 of his 21 traces and has been runner-up 5 times - 4 times to Hurricane Fly. He has also won 4 from 5 here and if he is racefit should win today.although the opposition is strong. Simenon (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh), who won twice ar Royal Ascot in the summer, has to give weight way here, which looks very difficult, and we expect the main dangers to be Bog Warrior (Tony Martin/ Davy Russell) and Staying Article (Edward O´Grady/ Barry Geraghty). Also of interest here is the maiden hurdler for 3yo´s at 15.05; Fatcatinthehat (Mullins/ Walsh) was beaten at odds-on on his hurdles debut, but can recover losses here, although German-bred Hartside (Noel Meade/ Russel l) is a tricky opponent.
Willie Mullins can also be among the winners at the other Irish meeting at Tramore with Moveable Asset (Paul Townend), who runs in the novice hurdle at 14.15; his only win came over this CD on heavy ground in August, but he faces strong opposition from Ted Veale (Tony Martin/ David Casey), runner-up in better company last time.
In the U.K. there is N.H. racing at Uttoxeter and flat racing on the all-sweather at Limgfield, all at a low level. Monty´s Revenge (Marton Keighley/ Chris Ward) won over fences at Towcester on Boxing Day; he was a non-runner yesterday, but if he turns out for the handicap hurdle at 16.10 at Uttoxeter must have a good chance; if not, we shall go for the dark horse Midnight Belle (Tom Symonds/ Benjamin Poste), who has failed to trouble the judge in 5 starts so far, but could be on a very lenient mark here. The maiden hurdle at 13.40 is also interesting. Jonjo O´Neill has 2 runners, both owned by JP McManus, with retained jockey Tony McCoy on smart bumoer horse Shutthefrontdoor; however he was an odds-on flop on his first start over hurdles, and possibly Key to the West (Charlie Longsdon/ Noel Fehily), who was not as good on bumper form, but made a pleasing debut over sticks, could be the safer choice.
The Lingfield card is very uninspiring. Kung Hei Fat Choy (James Given/ Jim Crowley) sounds like some sort of noodle dish - or a martial art- but is apparently a New Years Greeting, so is a topical tip for the 7 furlongs handicap at 15.30.
However - win or lose - we wish all our readers a very Happy New Year and successful punting in 2013!

Betting forecast Punchestown:
1. Race: You Must Know Me - Vesper Bell - Ipsos Du Berlais
2. Race: Hidden Present - Luke`S Benefit - Itsuptoyou
3. Race: Solwhit - Bog Warrior - Staying Article
4. Race: Fatcatinthehat - Hartside - Hazariban
5. Race: Miriam`S Dream - Call Rog - Civena
6. Race: Happy Tobe Here - Billybuster - Corbally
7. Race: Molly`s Affair - Kris Kindle - Shake The Tree