Ridiculous fixture list

After yesterday´s excellent flat racing at 6 tracks in the U.K., including 3 of the best cards of the year, it is astonishing to see no flat racing scheduled at all for today. Instead we have jumping at three tracks, plus another N.H. fixture in Ireland. Whatever idiot thought this up deserves a medal for absurdity. The only flat racing takes place at the Irish track Fairyhouse, but it is a poor card by Sunday standards- the only black type race being the listed event over 6 furlongs at 16.35 CET. The ex-Australian Sea Siren (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien) is clear top-rated here. On his European debut he ran 8th of 16, beaten 6 lengths, to Lethal Force and Society Rock at Royal Ascot, form which looks even better after they took the first two places again in yesterday´s July Cup. He has to concede weight all round here, but as long as he does not "bounce", looks a near certainty if he can repeat that form.

We do not find summer jumping very inspiring, and certainly not today´s cards on firm ground. Nicky Henderson has a good strike rate with the few jumpers he saddles at this time of year, and Anquetta (Sam Waley-Cohen) must have a chance at 16.50 at Stratford; however we prefer the lightly-weighted Dineur (Peter Bowen/ Donal Devereux), whose stable is in great form. There are only 6 runners here, as there are in the preceding handicap hurdle at 16.20. This still looks quite competitive and we just prefer the bottom-weight Rime Avec Gentil (Bernard Llewellyn/ Robert Williams), who meets Castlemorris King on much better terms than when they last met. German-bred Sadler´s Star (Michael Blake/ Nick Scholfield) is on a,long losing run, but has come down significantly in the weights and must have an each-way chance here at 17.50. The same goes for Moon Melody (Mike Sowersby/ Eddie Lineham) in the staying handicap hurdle at 15.40 at Southwell. Otherwise AP McCoy should clean up here, and so should Irish trainer Gordon Elliott at Perth.

Fairyhouse - betting forecast:
1. Race: Colour Blue - Pillow - Too Many Diamonds
2. Race: Heuston - Tafkeer - Kiss The Stars
3. Race: Sea Siren - Boston Rocker - Russian Soul
4. Race: Via Ballycroy - Toccata Blue - Legal Lyric
5. Race: Manhattan Swing - Daymooma - Majestic Jasmine
6. Race: Elusive Express - Windsor Pride - Gabh Mo Leithsceal
7. Race: Kingdom - Hisaabaat - Solo Performer