Sandown and Warwick

Warwick has passed an inspection and racing goes ahead (though one fence will be omitted), while Sandown has aslso now passed an inspection. Both meetings ON!
If Sandown goes ahead, the main focus of interest will be Fago (Paul Nicholls/ Ruby Walsh) in the novice chase at 16.25 CET. The ex-French performer was an impressive winner on his British debut, but then fell at Warwick last time when going like a winner. He has only two opponents today, both of whom are useful prospects, but not up to Fago´s class from what we have seen so far. Also at Sandown we hope to see German-bred Seventh Sky (Charlie Mann/ Paul O´Brien) finally live up to his excellent pedigree - he is a half-brother to Samum and co- after a series of disappointing efforts; he runs in the conditional jockeys handicap hurdle that opens the card at 14.45.
The hurdle handicap for conditonals and amateurs at 15.40 at Warwick could also see a German-bred winner - Crazy Bold (Tony Carroll/ Ryan Hatch). He has not won for almost 3 years, but this is a pretty poor race and his recent places should be good enough here for him to finish in the frame again here. The best race at Warwick is the 2 1/2 mile handicap chase at 16.50, which looks wide open. Golden Chieftain (Colin and Joe Tizzard) and Charingworth (Ferdy Murphy/ James Reveley) are our two against the field, but almost any of the runners could win. Mon Mome (Venetia Williams/ Harry Challoner) has not won since his shock Grand National victory in 2009, but he is now on a very lenient rating and we expect him to run well in the stayers handicap chase at 17.50.
There is also all-weather racing this afternoon at Lingfield andf this evening at Wolverhampton and Dundalk (Ireland), but nothing to set the heart racing. At least most of the top Irish jockeys will be in action at Dundalk, including Johnny Murtagh, making his comeback after a long injury break.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Barenger - Thundering Home - Seventh Sky
2. Race: Keki Buku - Nozic - Lord Singer
3. Race: Shotavodka - Your Tepee Or Mine - Fair Bramble
4. Race: Fago - Gallox Bridge - Kapga De Cerisy
5. Race: Farbreaga - Leader Of The Gang - Spanish Arch
6. Race: Plein Pouvoir - Circus Of Dreams - Tafika
7. Race: Act Four - Morito Du Berlais - Doctor Harper