6 meetings today

6 meetings today, including four on the all-weather (two this evening) and two over jumps. With the big Aintree fixture beginning tomorrow we cannot expect much high class N.H. action, and the best race is the Ulster National at 18.05 CET at Downpatrick. This is miles below the standard of the race we shall see on Saturday, and a major problem is that very few of the runners have the stamina to stay the 3 1/ 2 miles required today. The two favourites Pineau du Re (Philip Fenton/ Danny Mullins) and Fever Pitch (Arthur Moore/ David Casey) are both unproven at the trip and seem to be best at around 2 1/2 miles; they have the form alrought, but we would not like to back them at the likely odds. One who is certain to stay is Zardsky (Tom Nagle/ Shane Gray), who was 4th in the Cork National over this trip, and we makehim a very tentative selection.
Tony McCoy is in action at Wetherby and can win the bumper at 18.40 on Paul Webber´s Couldfhavehaditall. Rather surprisingly, he has only one ride over actual jumps, and that is Marie King´s Dormouse in the handicap hurdle at 16.40. He has already won several times on Dormouse and the combination should go close again in what looks a very open race. The interesting one here could be Fujin Dancer (Philip Koirby/ Harriet Bethell), who has been off the track for 18 months but looks well handicapped on old form. His trainer is doing well and he has won both on the flat and over hurdles with this jockey (the owner´s daughter?) in the saddle.
Our best bet on the all-weather is Rollin´n´Tumblin (Mike Attwater/ Jimmy Quinn) in the 2 miles handicap at Lingfield at 17.00. He was just touched off last week over slightly shorter here and can go one better now.

Betting forecast Wetherby:
1. Race: Prince Pippin - Garryowen Oscar - Kingdom Of Munster
2. Race: Arkaim - Our Phylli Vera - Prince Blackthorn
3. Race: Real Milan - Restless Harry - Danimix
4. Race: Rhymers Ha` - Lightening Rod - Dante`s Frolic
5. Race: Galway Jack - Hollins - Oil Burner
6. Race: Musnad - Gulfport - Barliffey
7. Race: Quite Sparky - One For Luck - Shaker Style
8. Race: Couldhavehaditall - Famousandfearless - Greensalt