5 poor meetings today

Very little to get excited about at today´s 5 metings, and with the ground firming up there are some very small fields - 4 times 4 runners at Brighton for example, while only one race offers normal each-way betting at Windsor´s evening meeting. Andrea Atzeni won the big race in Germany yesterday and he can continue today at Brighton; Mick Quinn´s Whisky Junction is no star, but loves firm ground and seems well handicapped in the 5 furlongs handicap at 18.15 CET. In the 7 furlongs handicap here half an hour earlier, the two 3yo´s in the field Macaabra (James Tate/ Neil Callan) and Excuse to Linger (Jeremy Noseda/ William Buick) should dominate their older rivals. We prefer the former, who has already won 3 times this season and can win more races before the handicapper finally nails her. The best betting race at Newton Abbot is the handicap hurdle over 3 miles 3 furlongs at 17.30 with 15 runners. Little Eaglet (Chris and Luke Heard) won this in 2011 on firm ground, but flopped last year when it was very soft. With the ground back in his favour he should go well again off this mark.

They go over jumps this evening at Southwell, whereAzure Fly (Charlie Longsdon/ Noel Fehily) can get the better of Now Then Charlie (John Ferguson/ Denis O´Regan) in the maiden hurdle at 20.10. Windsor´s Monday evening meetings are always popular in nice weather and racegoers this evening may get to see Frankie Dettori riding a winner or two- we think he has his best chances on David Flood´s Moment in the Sun at 20.00 and Clive Cox´ Greylami half an hour later. In Ireland, there is a mixed meeting at Roscommon, with 4 flat races followed by 3 chases. The Connacht Grand National over 3 miles at 21.20 is the main event and has attracted the biggest field of the day. Johannisberger (Noel Meade/ Paul Townend) is a very tentative suggestion in a wide open affair.

Windsor - betting forecast:
1. Race: Constantine - Aspirant - Rock Of Dreams
2. Race: Honey Of A Kitten - Moment In The Sun - Abbraccio
3. Race: Come On Blue Chip - Cactus Valley - Prince Of Burma
4. Race: Alice`S Dancer - Four Leaves - Miss Cap Estel
5. Race: Charter - Grand Denial - Royal Challis
6. Race: Exotic Isle - Dusty Storm - Star Up In The Sky