6 meetings today

Plenty of racing today, but again mainly at a very low level. At Lingfield the first four races are on turf and the last four on the all-weather. Rather strangely, the two best races are both 2 mile handicaps on turf, with 6 runners each at 16.00 CET and 16.30. The latter race is a higher grade event and Ian Williams saddles 2 of the runners, including yesterday´s winner Body Language, although we don´t really believe he will turn out again.

In any case, we prefer his óther runner Teak (James Doyle), who, like many of these, has been hurdling.In the earlier race, Hi Note (Sheena West/ H Poulton), who was heavily backed when winning a similar race over this CD by 10 lengths a week ago, should be able to follow up under a 6 lbs penalty. Miss Tiger Lily (Harry Dunlop/ Luke Morris), the sole 3yo in the field, could be a danger in receipt of 19 lbs. The two divisions of the maiden race for 2yo fillies at 17.00 and 17.30 should be watched for future clues, with runners from some of the top stables - Godolphin, Stoute, Gosden, Haggas etc, but are not for punting today.

At Catterick there are also only 6 runners in the main event, a 5 furlongs handicap for 3yo´s at 17.10. Lexington Place (David O´Meara/ David Bergin) has shown tremendous improvement since being switched to this stable and has won his last 3 races, all over this distance on good to firm, and the last two with this claimer aboard. He can win again, but bottom weight Lady Poppy (George Moore/ Declan Cannon), closely related to Overdose, could be a danger.

Sandown´s evening card is feeble by the standards of this track, but the well-bred Pleasure Bent (Luca Cumani/ Kieren Fallon) is an interesting runner in the 3yo handicap at 21.15. He has won both his starts this season and still looks reasonably handicapped; he could well run up a sequence.

Another one who could complete a hat-trick is Thunder Sheikh (Fergal O´Brien/ Paddy Brennan) in the novice hurdle at 15.50 at Uttoxeter. Aidan Coleman rode a winner on the flat recently, but is back over jumps today and we think he can win the 3 mile novices handicap chase here at 16.50 on Tim Vaughan´s Pure Anticipation. There is also N.H. racing this evening at Worcester, where ex-Peter Schiergen Crazy (David Bridgwater/ Tom Scudamore) makes her British debut in the mares maiden hurdle at 20.25; she was quite useful on the flat and if she jumps well, must hold sound claims in this company.

In Ireland, the Killarney meeting goes into its third day with another mixed card. The beginners chase at 19.40 is the most interesting race with several promising performers lining up. Steps to Freedom (Jessica Harrington/ Robbie Power), listed class on the flat, is a good prospect, but the one to beat is probably The Real Article (Edward O´Grady/ Barry Geraghty), who was easily the best of these over hurdles and has shown talent over fences as well. O´Grady also saddles German-bred Catch Me (Mark Walsh) in the handicap hurdle at 21.20; he has been out of form, but has come down a huge amount in the weights and if he shows even a glimpse of his old ability, must go close here.

Lingfield - betting forecast:
1. Race: Response - Familliarity - Qareenah
2. Race: Kastini - Sugar Coated - Uncle Bernie
3. Race: Hi Note - Miss Tiger Lily - Cape Alex
4. Race: Aquilonius - Teak - First Avenue
5. Race: Hoku - Along Again - Cockney Belle
6. Race: Dorothy B - Spiritual Flame - Lady Tiana
7. Race: Encapsulated - Triple Aitch - My Sweet Lord
8. Race: Khelac - Princess Willow - Salient