4 poor meetings today

No high class racing can be expected in the run-up to Easter, and today´s meetings- over jumps at Wetherby and 3 all-weather cards, are all very low grade. Tony McCoy is in action at Wetherby, and although Upswing is a non-runner at 16.55 CET, he can still go home with a couple of winners. Lucinda Russell´s Eyre Apparent at 15.50 and Warren Greatrex´ Westward Point, half an hour later, both won well enough last time out to suggest that they can score again, although the latter faces strong opposition from Neptune Equester (Brian Ellison/ Danny Cook) and Halley (Tom George/ Paddy Brennan), both smart chasers who are also good enough over hurdles to win in this grade. The handicap chase at 17.30 looks quite open, but Categorical (Keith and James Reveley) came back to form last week with an easy win at Southwell and can defy a 7 lbs penalty.

Two likely Newmarket winners at Lingfield are Bright Strike (John Gosden/ William Buick) at 17.40 and Kent Ragstone (William Haggas/ Shane Kelly) at 18.15, but both will probably start at very cramped odds. Elusive Hawk (David Evans/ RJ Fitzpatrick) was one of the unluckiest losers of the year when carried wide by a loose horse at Lingfield on Monday. He makes a quick return to run in the 6 furlongs handicap at Southwell at 17.20, but we shall take a each-way chance here on Spitfire (John Jenkins/ Freddie Tylicki), who won nicely over this CD in November; he has only run once since but seems to go best fresh. At Wolverhampton this evening, we hope that German-bred All the Wings (Sam Lycett/ Robert Tart), penalised 6 lbs for an easy win over this CD last week, can follow up in the 1 1 /2 mile handicap at 20.50.

Wetherby - betting forecast:
1. Race: Ueueteotl - Firth Of The Clyde - Potomac
2. Race: Eyre Apparent - Blazing Bull - Flying Squad
3. Race: Halley - Neptune Equester - Westward Point
4. Race: Rocking Blues - Turbo Du Ranch - Majaales
5. Race: Categorical - Bertie Milan - Whats Up Woody
6. Race: Silentplan - Bobs Lady Tamure - Pleasure Island