6 poor meetings today

Very modest fare on offer at today´s 6 meetings - Leicester and Redcar (Flat) as well as Newton Abbot (N.H.) this afternoon, and in the evening Yarmouth and Lingfield, with Irish jumps racing at Ballinrobe- but nothing better than moderate handicaps at any of them. Several recent winners turn out again under a Penalty, notably the well-bred Pythagorean (Roger Charlton/ James Doyle) in the 7 furlongs handicap for 3yo´s at 16.00 CET at Leicester; he was a very easy winner over this CD last week and should be able to follow up under 6 lbs extra. The first division of the 3yo handicap over 10 furlongs here at 18.00 could go to top-weight Astrum (Rod Millman/ Graham Lee), who has won twice at Warwick this season, most recently last week, while the second division may go to Clive Brittain´s maiden Tahaf (Neil Callan), third at Redcar on his seasonal debut.

At Redcar itself, the speedy Angelito (Ed McMahon/ Franny Norton) can win the 5 furlongs handicap at 17.10; he won twice over this trip at Bath last season and the predicted form going will be ideal. There are no fewer than 4 last-time-out winners in the handicap hurdle at 17.20 at Newton Abbot; they are all respected, but we shall take another chance on German-bred Engai (David Bridgewater/ Jake Hodson) in the hope that he will be suited by the fast ground. Champion trainer Nicky Henderson, who sends out very few runners at this time of year, saddles two here, Looking Hopeful (David Bass) in the maiden hurdle at 15.20, and Anquetta (Sam Waley-Cohen) in the 2 mile handicap chase at 16.50, and both of them could win.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Generalyse - Swendab - Griffin Point
2. Race: Plunder - Studfarmer - Avatar Star
3. Race: Pythagorean - Pivotal Movement - Testamatta
4. Race: Burnham - Ashdown Lad - Cape Alex
5. Race: Gold Top - Kaiulani - Excel`s Beauty
6. Race: Toofi - Toormore - Al Baz
7. Race: Astrum - Our Golden Girl - Kastini
8. Race: Tahaf - Super Cookie - Gold Roll