Rest of today´s racing

Although Newbury obviously stages the best racing, there is also N.H. racing today at Towcester and Newcastle, as well as Fairyhouse in Ireland, while Wolverhampton has all-weather flat tracing this evening (hoorah!). Newcastle has passed an early morning inspection, but the ground will be very heavy and there are only 4 runners in the two big hurdle races. The Grade One Fighting Fifth Hurdle over 2 miles at 15.20 is the main event, and Donald McCain and Jason Maguire, who have won for the past two years, can take it again with Cinders and Ashes, who is going for a five-timer. He holds Irish raider Trifolium (Charlie Byrnes/ Andrew Lynch), who finished two lengths behind him in the Supreme Novices at Cheltenham back in March. Countrywide Flame (John Quinn/ Denis O´Regan) also won at the Festival, taking the Triumph Hurdle, and he has also been in good form on the flat. However 4yo´s rarely win this and we also think that Cinders and Aahes will be better suited by the h eavy going. Bothy (Brian Ellison/ Danny Cook) will certainly like the going; he has been supplemented, but does not look good enough, despite a brave effort last time in a hot Cheltenham handicap. Thanks to the weather, the turnout is disappointing here, but we expect Cinders and Ashes to win and complete a double for trainer and jockey after Bit of a Jig in the novice hurdle at 14.10, who may get the better of Maggio (P Griffin/ James Reveley).

Newcastle - betting forecast:
1. Race: Red Rocco - No Planning - Same Difference
2. Race: Twice Lucky - Mansonien l`As - Beau Dandy
3. Race: Rendl Beach - Maggio - Bit Of A Jig
4. Race: Samenerve - Billy Cuckoo - Whats Up Woody
5. Race: Cinders And Ashes - Countrywide Flame - Trifolium
6. Race: Shanen - Lord Wishes - Kane River
7. Race: Benny Be Good - Junior - Bescot Springs



The Towcester card is relatively weak, but we think that Bobbie Magern (Graham McPherson/ Tom Molloy) could be a decent each-way bet in the 3 mile handicap hurdle at 14.35; he is still a maiden, but has often enough run well in this grade, including his last 2 starts, and the opposition does not look strong. Gordon Elliott has his string in good form and can take the main event at the Irish track, a handicap hurdle at 15.30, with Beef to the Heels, who can complete a hat-trick under Jane Mangan. Paddy Brennan is here to partner Staying Article for Edward O´Grady in the hurdle race at 13.45 and he might be able to concede 5 lbs to Willie Mullins´ two runners, Midnight Game (Davy Russell) and Simenon (Paul Townend).

Towcester - betting forecast:
1. Race: Valrene - Toot Sweet - Tamira
2. Race: Tullyraine - Fighting Flynn - Baileys Concerto
3. Race: Ibn Hiyyan - Truckers Benefit - Roseini
4. Race: Future Dominion - Molly Oscar - Bobbie Magern
5. Race: Shotgun Paddy - Timesishard - Two Rockers
6. Race: Borderhopper - Kirkhammerton - Royaume Bleu
7. Race: Princess Annabelle - Calusa Star - Shipton