Easter coming early

Easter Day (Paul Nicholls/ Daryl Jacob) is not one of the big guns in his powerful stable, but should be good enough to defy an 8 lbs penalty and win the Sidney Banks Memorial, a novice hurdle over 2 1/2 miles, at 16.30 CET at Huntingdon today. After easily winning two minor events, he ran an excellent race when runner-up in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury after Christmas, and that is easily the best form in the race. Sir Pitt (Andy Hobbs/ Donal Fahy) was 5th of 23 in the 2011 Triumph Hurdle, form which would give him a good chance here, but has not run since and is best watched for now. Nicky Henderson and Barry Graghty landed a double at Doncaster yesterday and could well repeat the feat today with Tetlami at 16.00 and Miss Ballantyne an hour later. Cruchain (Dai Burchell/ Christian Williams) seems to us to be very well handicapped in the 2 1/2 mile handicap chase at 15.30 and is our each-way bet of the day.

Tony McCoy is rather surprisingly riding at the lower grade meeting at Sedgefield, and he can land a double too with Alan Swinbanks´ Big Water at 15.10 and Warren Greatrex´ Berkeley Avenue in the bumper at 17.10. He also has a chance on Greatrex´ Umadachar in the mares handicap hurdle at 16.40, but this is quite a tricky race and we prefer the two last-time-out winners Vinetta (Keith Reveley/ Colm McCormack) and Sparkling Hand (Peter Atlkinson/ Harry Haynes).

The card at Ayr - should the meeting go ahead - is not at all punter-friendly with not a single race allowing normal each-way betting, and some (in our view) dodgy favourites. Our old friend Political Paddy (Ray Nixon/ Gary Rutherford) has not won for ages but has a squeak in the handicap hurdle at 15.50.

There are two decent races at Clonmel, but both with the small fields usual in Ireland. Rye Martini (Colm Miurphy/ Davy Russell) and Unika la Recomnce (Willie Mullkins/ Ruzby Walsdh) are both reasy maiuden winners moving up in grade in the Miunster Hurdle at 15,55; threy could be anything, but we prefer German-bred Anonis (Mags and Danny Mullins), who would have given the smart Pont Alexandre a proper race last time but for falling 3 out. The Mullins family also has a good chance of taking the Powerstown Chase at 16.55 with Immediate Response (Willie and Paddy); the trainer has presumably put his son up here as he will apparently be riding the horse at Cheltenham, if all goes to plan.

Huntingdon - betting forecast:
1. Race: Rocky Elsom - Circus Star - Flash Harriet
2. Race: Denali Highway - Mentalist - Oscar Davy
3. Race: Tony Star - Tetlami - Act Of Kalanisi
4. Race: Easter Day - Nataani - Kilmurvy
5. Race: Floral Spinner - Miss Ballantyne - Katnapping
6. Race: Freddies Return - Gentle George - How`S My Friend
7. Race: Ballymoat - Call It On - Majorica King