5 poor meetings today

Plenty of racing today but almost all at a very low level, and there are some small fields in addition, with normal each-way betting only possible in a handful of races. Home Run (David Pipe/ Samuel Welton) has been kept very busy by the trainer and his father, who owns the horse, having won 5 races since December and running-up twice. The Ammerland-bred close relation to Hurricane Run is in our view capable of winning more races and he can take the handicap hurdle at 16.30 CET at Wincanton. His young jockey has already won on him twice, including this CD on Boxing Day. Paul Nicholls, always does well here, his local track, and saddles the main danger in Suerte Al Salto (Harry Derham),´runner-up on his last 3 starts. Nicholls should in any case take the handicap chase half an hour earlier with top-weight Criqtonic, as well as the opening mares novice hurdle at 15.00 with Oscar Amy, both partnered by Daryl Jacob.

Lingfield stages jumps racing today, and there could be a German-bred winner here as well, for Promised Wings (Chris Gordon/ Tom Cannon) can defy top weight in the handicap hurdle at 16.40. The Monsun gelding probably has most to fear from Killimore Cottage (Paul Hiatt/ Tom Whelan), who is going for a fourtimer, but is up in grade here. Ten Fires (Brendan Powell/ Sam Jones) ia also German-bred; he runs in the so-called Surrey National at 17.10. Last time out he was pulled up behind Alderluck (David Pipe/ Mr.M.Heard) in a similar race at Bangor, but meets him on better terms now. However this is a tricky race, and we have slight preference for bottom-weight Orange Nassau (Charlie Longsdon/ Noel Fehily), also pulled up last time, but with an obvious chance on his previous form.

Bangor also has N.H. racing and the local team of Donald McCain and Jason Maguire must always be folllowed here. They can score with Diocles at 15.20, Corrin Wood at 16.20 and in the concluding bumper with Sealous Scout. Even the Irish meeting at Fairyhouse is pretty low key. The most interesting runner here is Waaheb (Dermot Weld/ Tony McCoy) in the 2 mile hurdle race that opens proceedings at 14.55. A top class bumper horse, he is also talented over the sticks and should not be troubled to defeat his 4 opponents today. McCoy can make his trip to Ireland doubly worthwhile by also winning the handicap hurdle at 16.55 on Ronnie O´Leary´s Western Man. The only flat racing today is on the all-weather at Kempton this evening, where owner Dr. Marwan Koukash, trainer Richard Fahey and jockey Jamie Spencer can land a double with Gabrial the Thud at 20.30 and Gabrial´s Wawa half an hour later.