5 more poor meetings today

More of the same today, with some large fields - especially at Wincanton and at the Irish meeting at Clonmel, but mainly of low level performers. Paul Nicholls is no doubt concentrating more on Cheltenham than on today´s runners, but he is always to be feared at his local track Wincanton, where he can saddle two winners in the shape of Ruben Cotter in the novice chase at 15.30 CET and Pure Oxygen in the bumper at 18.45, both ridden by Daryl Jacob. The latter is a half-brother to Gold Cup winner Best Mate and is apparently held in some regard. We don´t fancy Nicholls´ Suerte al Salto (Harry Derham) in the handiap hurdle at 16.00, who looks a tricky character and has been runner-up now four times running - each time with a different jockey. Course specialist Chesil Beach Boy (MJ Coombe/ Mark Quinlan) looks a sound each-way alternative.

There are also some cozrese specialkists in action at Carlisle., especially in the styers handivap cjhadse at 16.45: Royal Mackintosh has won 5 times during his long career, all of them here, while Etxalar (Lucinda Russell/ Peter Buchanan) is another one to show his best form here. We especially like the latter, who has come down a lot in the weights and will appreciate the better ground. The same goes for Rudemeister (Andrew Parker/ Richie McGrath) in the novices handicap chase at 15.40, while Coverholder (Sue Smith/ Jonathan England) attempts to complete a quick six-timer in the novices handicap hurdle at 17.20. He has gone up 40 lbs for his 5 wins since Christmas- all on very soft ground- but can carry on here.