jumps racing at Catterick, jumpers bumpers at Kempton

Chepstow having been abandoned, Catterick now stages the only jumps racing today, but the card is low grade and some small fields do not make it any more inviting. Our best bet here is Campbonnais (Ali Brewer/ Adam Wedge) in the handicap chase at 16.20 CET. This ex-Irish chaser was much better than this class previously, and after a long break made his comeback for new trainer Brewer last week at Fakenham, winning very easily over 2 1/2 miles. He has been raised 11 lbs for that, but races off the same mark today and if he does not "bounce" should follow up; the extra 5 furlongs should not be a problem, as he had form in Ireland over this trip. Bottom-weight Big Sound (Tim Walford/ Grant Cockburn), who also ran well last week, looks the main danger. Ali Brewer could be completing a double here, as we also like her Proud Times (Jack Doyle) at 15.10, while Vice et Vertu (Henry Daly/ Richard Johnson) can win the novice hurdle at 15.45; he has won both his races over sticks and looks a nice prospect, though he may not find it easy to concede 22 lbs to lightly-raced 4yo River Bollin (Tim Easterby/ Dougie Costello).
The jumpers bumpers fixture at Kempton, an extra meeting to make up for all the recent abandonments, is much more interesting, and the 8 races, all over 2 miles, have large fields and have attracted runners from some of the top stable, notably Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson. Henderson´s Dawalan (David Bass) at 18.40 CET looks the best bet here; this very well-bred performer (a half-brother to flat champions Daylami and Dalakhani) is a very promising young hurdler who should have no problem winning this. German-bred Spanish Treasure probably has no chance here, but Dawn Command has each-way possibilities at 17.40 (although we cannot see him beating Henderson`s Shakalakaboomboom, going for the Grand National, or Nicholls´ Southfield Theatre), and we really like the chances of the Monsun gelding Milord (Kim Bailey/ Nick Scholfield) at 18.10; this rather highly strung character has fallen in his last two races over hurdles - both times looking the likely winner- and may find it easier now with no obstacles in the way.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Makhzoon - Hunters Belt - Belle De Fontenay
2. Race: Kolonel Kirkup - Marlborough House - Great Demeanor
3. Race: Fitandproperjob - Easydoesit - Blackwater King
4. Race: Classic Move - River Bollin - Mister Jones
5. Race: Pudsey House - Romany Ryme - Hartforth
6. Race: Chicklemix - Kykate - Billy Cuckoo
7. Race: Oleohneh - Philosofy - Bulas Belle

2 Group Twos at Meydan

the Dubai Racing Carnival goes into its fourth day today with another high class card, including two Group Two races. Main feature is the Cape Verdi for fillies and mares over a mile on turf at 16.50 CET and all eyes will be on Certify (Charlie Appleby/ Mikael Barzalona), the Champion 2yo filly in Britain in 2012 but off the track for 16 months as a result of the ban on the al Zarooni stable last year. She faces strong opposition from the other Godolphin runner Shuruq (Saeed bin Suroor/ Silvestre de Sousa), a track specialist who has already won nicely here this year and last year took the UAE Oaks, and French 1,000 Guineas winner Flotilla (Mikael Delzangles/ Christophe Lemaire), but Certify, if back to her best, could win this.
The Al Rashidiyah over 9 furlongs on turf at 18.00 has a much larger field and looks very open, but Mike de Kock, with 2 runners, and Godolphin, with 3, could dominate here, and we give Mushreq (Dane O´Neill) and Tasaday (de Sousa) the best chances.
As usual, the South African trainer and the two Godolphin trainers all have several runners on the card and they will no doubt all be visiting the winners enclosure. Twolomngshots from otjher stables who might run well at a big proice are Monsieur Joe in the opening 5 furlongs handicap at 15.40 and Sahawar (Christophe Ferland/Thierry Thulliez) -owned by the boss! - over 9 1 /2 furlongs at 16.15; both made little show on their first run here but could do much better this time.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Merhee - Abstraction - Medicean Man
2. Race: String Theory - Abdel - Start Right
3. Race: Flotilla - Shuruq - L`Amour de Ma Vie
4. Race: Zahee - Tamarkuz - The Gold Cheongsam
5. Race: Tasaday - Mushreq - Trade Storm
6. Race: Energia Eros - Busker - Master Plan

Wincanton and Thurles

racing has been abandoned at Toiwcester today, but the meeting at Wincanton goes ahead, and the going there will obviously be very soft/ heavy, as it also is at the Irish N.H. meeting at Thurles.
There is some competitive racing at Wincanton, but our best bet of the day is Vieux Lion Rouge (David Pipe/ Tom Scudamore) in the opening novice hurdle at 14.40; he won 3 bumpers and looks a very smart recruit to hurdling judged on his easy debut win over this CD a fortnight ago. He has a 6 lbs penalty, but that should not stop him winning again. German-bred A Keen Sense (David Dennis/ Aidan Coleman) is one of his 13 opponents here; the Sholokhov gelding is probably capable of winning over sticks, but needs to improve quite a bid over the form he has so far shown. A German-bred with a much better chance in our opinion is Silsol (Paul Nicholls/ Daryl Jacob) in the handicap hurdle half an hour later; this looks quite a hot race for the grade and top-weights Shantou Magic (Charlie Longsdon/ Noel Fehily) and Uhlan Bute (Venetia Williams/ Coleman) have already shown decent form, biut we are not sure that they can concede so much weight to the Soldier Hollow gelding, who could be well handicapped here. Venetia could well take the following handicap chase, in which both her runners Carrickboy (Liam Treadwell) and Bennies Mist, an easy CD winner last time, should be involved; this is another tricky race, but we feel that Carrickboy, who has been running in much better company, may be able to defy top weight. The mares novice hurdle at 16.10 should be between Keshi Pearl (Henry Daly/ Richard Johnson) and Tagrita (Nicholls/ Jacob), both penalised but both looking promising.
There are huge fields at Thurles, but more quantity than quality. Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh can do no wrong at present, and they can take the mares beginners chase at 15.05 with Chiltern Hills, despite the fact that she has been pulled up on both her chasing starts so far. Our main fancies here are Synchronicity (Charlie Byrnes/ Davy Russell) at 15.35 and Sizing Coal (Jim Dreaper/ Andrew Lynch) half an hour later, both of whom finished runner-up last time and can go one better now.

Betting forecast Wincanton:
1. Race: Vieux Lion Rouge - Lady Charisma - Civil War
2. Race: Silsol - Ainsi Fideles - Uhlan Bute
3. Race: Bennys Mist - Bertie Boru - Forgotten Gold
4. Race: Keshi Pearl - Miner Distraction - Brantingham Breeze
5. Race: Tresor De Bontee - Notarfbad - Brick Red
6. Race: Richard`S Sundance - Shy John - Coombe Hill
7. Race: Brother Tedd - Davy Doubt - Dashaway

2 more poor meetings today

with Lingfield abandoned, Taunton, which has survived an early morning inspection, offers the only jumps racing today, while there have already been several abandonments for later in the week with many parts of the U.K. under water.
The Taunton card is far from exciting, and we expect Venetia and Evan Williams (not related) to be the trainers to follow. Venetia can take the opening handicap hurdle at 14.40 CET with Waldorf Salad (Harry Challoner), a very easy winner last Friday but up in trip here, while Evan should win the novice hurdle half an hour later with the promising Milo Man (Paul Moloney). They both have fancied runners in the next two races, but we prefer Venetia´s candidates Moujik Borget at 15.40 and Mentalist half an hour later, both with stable jockey Aidan Coleman in the saddle, while Evan can bounce back with Sublime Talent (Adam Wedge) at 17.10.
There are some very small field on the all-weather at Southwell, and only 3 now line up for the seller over 1 1/2 miles at 15.20. This would normally be of very little interest, but in fact the race features two of the most successful all-weather performers of all time, La Estrella (Don Cantillon/ Graham Lee) and Stand Guard (John Butler/ Tom Queally). The all time record is 25 victories on the all-weather and both of these are close to beating the record with 24 and 23 respectively. Stand Guard has a slightly higher official rating, but we prefer La Estrella here because of his amazing record at Southwell- 15 wins from 16 starts.


Betting forecast:
1. Race: Waldorf Salad - Kalamill - Bob Keown
2. Race: Milo Man - John Louis - Thomas Junior
3. Race: Moujik Borget - Get It On - Shammick Boy
4. Race: Milosam - Mentalist - Tin Pot Man
5. Race: Delphi Mountain - Come On Annie - Midnight Request
6. Race: Al Alfa - Benny The Swinger - Lord Of The Dunes
7. Race: Makadamia - Ivor`s Queen - Western Diva

2 very poor meetings today

Plumpton today has been abandoned, but racing at Ayr goes ahead after an early morning inspection. The going will be very testing, and with the wet weather continuing, there are certain to be more abandonments this week. The card at Ayr is very low grade and we expect a couple of winners for Irish trainers, who usually do well at this track. Layla Joan (Gordon Elliott/ Jason Maguire) at 13.45 and half an hour later Mclovin (Stuart and Stephen Crawford) both look likely winners, while Jim Bowie (James Lambe/ Tony McCoy) also has a chance with bottom wieight in the handicap chase at 16.20. However here we prefer And The Man (Nicky Richards/ Brian Harding) despite the weight concession; he runs his best races here, including last time out, and we shall ignore the fact that he was pulled up on 5 of his previous 6 starts.The handicap hurdle at 15.50 looks tricky; the two German-breds Solis (Dianne Sayer/ Ryan Mania) and Amore Mio (Lucinda Russell/ Peter Buchanan) could go well, but we are worried about the ground, and just prefer Hellorboston (Donald McCain/ Maguire), although Little Boy Boru could also run well and might complete a double for the Crawfords.

The racing on the all-weather at Wolverhampton is even worse in terms of quality, and there are some very small fields as well. The Blue Dog (Phil McEntee/ Joe Doyle) attempts to complete a quick fourtimer at 18.10, all with this young claimer aboard, but we prefer Doldrums (Mark Johnston/ Joe Fanning), and the same trainer/ jockey combination may have already taken the previous race with Sir Charlie Kuntz, unlucky last time at Lingfield.

Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown

The two U.K. meetings today (Fontwell has been abandoned) are of little account, but there is an excellent card in Ireland at Leopardstown with the Irish Champion Hurdle over 2 miles at 15.35 CET as the main feature. Only 4 runners, but it still looks a great race and in fact all 4 ran in the same race last time, the Ryanair Hurdle over this CD at the Christmas meeting. Hurricane Fly (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh) ran out a convincing winner that day to record his 18th Grade One victory, a world record. He has won 19 of his 21 starts since joining Mullins, and his only defeat in the last 4 years was when 3rd in the 2012 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham. He has won the Cheltenham race since however and is also 7 from 7 at Leopardstown, including this race for the past 3 years. He is rated the brest jhurdler this century and in theory is a certainty today. We certainly expect him to win, but he is by no means a certainty. Both the last time runner-up Jezki (Jessica Harrington/ Tony McCoy) and the thiurd home Our Conor (Dessie Hughes/ Danny Mulloins) can be expected to put iup much more of a fight this time, while Captain Cee Bee (Eddie Harty/ Mark Walsh) went off too fast last time and is also better than the bare form. Jezki was hampered at a vital stage, while Our Conor needed the race and both camps are hopeful of taking their revenge, while Hurricane Fly himself was reported to have had a bruised foot earlier in the week. It should be a fascinating race, not one to bet on perhaps, but essential viewing.

The novice chase at 14.30 is also a Grade One and looks between Defy Logic (Paul Nolan/ McCoy) and Felix Yonger (Mullins/ Walsh). Felix Yonger beat this rival at Punchestown in November, while Defy Logic beat Trifolium (Charlie Byrnes/ Bryan Cooper) over this CD on Boxing Day. It could be a close thing, with Mullins´ second string, the relatively unexposed Mozoltov (Paul Townend) the only other one likely to get a look-in.

It could be another big payday for the Mullins/ Walsh Team and the trainer seems confident of also taking the Grade Two novice hurdle at 16.10 with Sure Reef, who won on the flat here for Mike Halford and was a very easy maiden winner last time; so was Wounded Warrior (Noel Meade/ Cooper) and both are moving up in grade, while Gilt Shadow (Stuart and Stephen Crawford), well beaten in a Grade One last time, is actually top-rated here, while Double Irish (Gordon Elliott/ Danny Mullins) and Gallant Tipp (Edward O´Grady/ McCoy), both good winners last time out, must also be considered.

Tipps für die Rennen:
1. Rennen: Powder Hound - Rock The World - Little Rocky
2. Rennen: Felix Yonger - Defy Logic - Trifolium
3. Rennen: Treat Yourself - Barneys Honour - Golden Ticket
4. Rennen: Hurricane Fly - Jezki - Our Conor
5. Rennen: Sure Reef - Double Irish - Wounded Warrior
6. Rennen: Tabhachtach - Hold Em Cowboy - Mackeys Forge
7. Rennen: Killer Crow - Windsor Park - Princely Conn

Annie Power at Doncaster

All eyes at Doncaster will be on Annie Power (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh) who will start at long odds-on in the Grade Two mares hurdle at 15.05 CET. This trip of just over 2 miles may be on the short side, but we cannot see her losing her unbeaten record (9 from 9) here. Although listed as Irish-bred, she has a German pediree, being by Shirocco our of a daughter of Anna Paola and she loks a real star. She is so good that she is beginning to embarrass her trainer, who does not know how to campaign her as he clearly does not to start her against stable stars Hurricane Fly and Quevega at Cheltenham. 4 line up against her today, but only one of them has the merest breath of a chance, Cockney Sparrow (John Quinn/ James Reveley), who has won 5 of her 7 races over hurdles and was runner-up to the top class My Tent or Yours in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle in November.

Quinn is a very shrewd handler of ypur hurdlers; he had a good winner here yesterday and we expect him also to take the opening handicap hurdle at 13.25 with Hidden Justice (Dean Pratt).

The novice chase at 13.55 has lost some of its interest with the news that Rock on Ruby will not run. In his absense it could now be between Caid du Berlais (Paul Nicholls/ Nick Scholfield) and Valdez (Alan King/ Robert Thornton), who could signal his stable´s return to form with a good performance.

The novice hurdle over 3 miles+ at 15.40 is another good race and looks very tricky. Urban Hymn (Malcolm Jefferson/ Brian Hughes) might just be good enough, but we are afraid of Timesremembered (Emma Lavelle/ Leighton Aspell) and Racing Pulse (Quinn/ Reveley).

The big betting race is the Great Yorkshire Chase, a handicap over 3 miles at 16.15. German-bred Kruzhlinin (Donald McCain/ henryx Brooke) hads won twice at Kelso but has shot up the weights, while we do not believe Grand National winner Auroras Encore (Sue Smith/ Ryan Mania) can win over this trip. Our three against the field are other top-weights Unionsite (Nicholls/ Harry Derham), Roberto Goldback (Nicky Henderson/ Nico de Boinville) and Gullinbursti (Lavelle/ Noel Fehily).

Big Buck´s at Cheltenham today

An excellent card at Cheltenham today and no doubt many of today´s runners will be seen again at the Festival in seven weeks time. The good news is that there are hardly any non-runners (so far at least) and the bad news is that there was a lot of overnight rain, so that the going is now heavy. This may not suit Big Buck´s (Paul Nicholls/ Sam Twiston-Davies), clearly the star of the show, who makes his comeback after more than a year off with injury in the Grade Two Cleeve Hurdle over 3 miles at 16.35 CET. The 11yo started life as a very promising chaser, but was switched to hurdles after his last-fence fall in the 2008 Hennessy; since then he has been unbeaten in 18 races, 7 of them here, including this race twice. On his old form and on ratings he is virtually unbeatable today, but there must be a doubt on this going and after this long break; added to this is the confusion as to who would ride him, with Nicholls finally deciding on young Sam rather than the theoretical number one Daryl Jacob, who the trainer thought was too negative. We would love to see him win, but could not recommend betting on him at the likely price. He has 3 serious opponents today - Reve de Sivola (Nick Williams/ Richard Johnson), who won this last year and will relish the ground, At Fishers Cross (Rebecca Curtis/ Tony McCoy), who fell in the race won by Reve de Sivola last time, and Irish hope Boston Bob (Willie Mullins/ Barry Geraghty), who reverted to hurdles after two falls over fences with a very convincing win at Punchestown at New Year.

The Grade Two Argento Chase over an extended 3 miles at 15.25 is another top trial for the big meeting in March. Rocky Creek (Nicholls/ Jacob) and Houblon des Obeaux (Venetia Willams/ Aidan Coleman) finished second and sixth in the Hennessy, which is always strong form. Champion Court (Martin Keighley/ Ian Popham) is a course soecialist, but will probably find this trip too far. Harry Topper (Kim VBailey/ Jason Maguire) is smart, but we do not believe he can concede weight all round here, so our choice is German-bred The Giant Bolster (David Bridgwater/ Tom Scudamore), who is not the most consistent but is well treated by the conditions, usually goes well here and finished fourth in the Gold Cup last March.

The novice hurdle over 2 1/2 miles at 16.00 is another Grade Two race and features the unbeaten Red Sherlock (David PIpe/ Scu); the son of Shirocco has won both his starts over hurdles with the greatest of ease, but meets much tougher opposition here. Aubusson (Nick Williams/ Lizzie Kelly) won over this CD at New Year, but the form does not convince us and we make Rathvinden (Mullins/ Geraghty), who fell last time after winning his 3 previous races, the main danger.

5 meetings today

more abandonments seem certain in the next few days following the current bad weather, but all of today´s 5 meetings go ahead, including Huntingdon, where the track was under water earlier in the week. Obviously the ground will be very testing, which should suit Anton Chigurh (Brendan Powell/ James Banks), who makes his hurdling debut here at 14.50 CET. He won twice on the flat on heavy going and this may give him the edge over form choice New Years Eve (John Ferguson/ Jack Quinlan); this well-bred 6yo has not really lived up to expectations and as he is out of an Acatenango mare, might not like ground as heavy as this. Dawn Twister (Lucy Wadham/ Leighton Aspell), who runs in the handicap hurdle over 3 1/4 miles at 15.55, is by Monsun and should appreciate the ground; he has also disappointed a couple of times but must have a decent each-way chance in this company. Secret Edge (Alan King/ Stephen O´Donovan) is an interesting runner in the final race at 17.00; he is the stable´s first runner since New Year; King will clearly watch his performance with great interest, but the fact that he has put a relatively inexperienced claimer up suggests that he does not carry full stable confidence.
The card is stronger at Doncaster and Lucy Wadham can kick off an across-the-card double with Daliance (Matt Crawley) at 14.10. The novice hurdle which follows half an hour later could be the most interesting race of the day. Dubai Prince (John Ferguson/ Denis O´Regan) was a major Derby hope in 2011 and looked like being a smart performer over hurdles after winning very easily on his debut. He flopped at Kempton on Boxing Day but we shall give him another chance here, though there are some useful opponents, notably Area Fifty One (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty), who was also pretty decent on the flat and makes his debut over sticks here.
Easily the best race at today´s 3 all-weather meetings is the 7 furlongs handicap at 16.05 at Lingfield, worth over 28,000 GBP to the winner. Jim Goldie has sent Hawkeyethenoo (Graham Lee) on the long journey south from Scotland for this and this smart performer can defy top weight here; another participant to have come a long way for this is Jamie Spencer, riding yesterday in Dubai; he partners Kevin Ryan´s Burning Blaze, and he could be the main danger.

Betting forecast Lingfield:
1. Race: Ocean Legend - My Kingdom - Prince Of Burma
2. Race: Spreadable - Hot Stock - Ain`t No Surprise
3. Race: Lexi`S Hero - Kuanyao - Seek The Fair Land
4. Race: Roy`S Legacy - Your Gifted - Johnny Splash
5. Race: Hawkeyethenoo - Georgian Bay - George Guru
6. Race: Global Explorer - My My My Diliza - Shamardyh
7. Race: Anglo Irish - Samtu - Officer Drivel

Sommerabend at Meydan today

the Dubai Carnival goes into its third week today with another strong card. There are only two German-trained horses out in Dubai at the moment, and one of them Miroslav Rulec´s Sommerabend makes his debut there today in the mile handicap at 16.40 CET. He has top weight in a field of 16 but has earned it with a strong of high class performances over this trip, including a narrow win a a listed race at Deauville beflore Christmas, which showed that he can act on an artificial surface. We hope he runs well today, although the draw is a problem; however his jockey Adrie de Vries is very experienced and has a good record here.
Main feature today is the Group Two Al Fahidi Fort over 7 furlongs at 17.50 with a very strong field, including South African champion Heavy Metal (S Tarry/ Johnny Geroudis), who has not run since winning the Durban July. It is impossible to work out the value of that form exactly, but if he runs up it, he must have a good chance here.
All the races here look very competitive and winners arre hard to find, but we have a sneaking fancy for Arnold Lane (Mick Channon/ Willie Twiston-Davies) in the opening 6 furlongs handicap at 15.30; we have not forgotten the way he won at Munich last May, and he is better than a handicapper (so, unfortunately, are most of the others!)

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Master Of War - Mujaazef - Merhee
2. Race: Restraint Of Trade - Genius Beast - Dormello
3. Race: Sommerabend - Bertiewhittle - Free Wheeling
4. Race: Daddy Long Legs - Windhoek - Zip Top
5. Race: Heavy Metal - Anaerobio - Gale Force Ten
6. Race: Gabrial - Sanshaawes - Tarbawi

another big payday for Willie Mullins?

of the 3 N.H. meetings today, the two in the U.K. are of little interest, but there is an excellent midweek card at Gowran Park in Ireland. The main event is the Grade Two Galmoy Hurdle over 3 miles at 15.15 CET, which looks at the mercy of Zaidpour (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh), who won this race in 2012 and has run numerous big races in top company. He has top weight here, but has easily the highest rating and it will be a big surprise if he is beaten. His stable companion Bishopsfurze (Paul Townend) should also be placed; we have frequently been asked about the nme of this horse, which refers to a kind of gorse (GInster), and should definitely be pronounced in the English way and not the way Germans usually say it!
It looks like another big day for the Mullins team, and they have 4 runners in the most valuable race of the crd, the Thyestes Chase, a handicap over 3 miles at 16.15 and often a good guide to the Irish hopes in the Grand Natjonal. Stable jockey Walsh rides top weight Vesper Bell but we have a slight preference for On His Own (Paul Townend), who won here in 2012 but has fallen the last twice at Aintree. Mullins himself has implied that Balnaslow (Bryan Cooper) could be his best hope at these weights, but we are not so sure. If the winner is to come from another stable, then one should consider Tarquinius, Panther Claw and Sole Witness, who took the minor placings here last year.
Mullins should also clean up on the undercard, and we expect his two runners Abbyssial (Walsh) and Noble Inn (Townend) to fight out the finish of the opening hurdle at 14.15, Dogora (Walsh) to win the beginners chase at 16.45 and Black Hercules, ridden by his son Paddy, the bumper aszt 17.17. This last race however looks a very hot affair, with 6 last time winners, and we would not want to take too short a price, as the winner here will almost certainly be one of the main Irish hopes at Cheltenham.
The betting ooportunities at Fakenham and Warwick are very loimited and with heavy rain falling, it is probably best to give the merertingsd a miss; however we would like to mention debutant Latelo (Charlie Mann/ Micky Grant) in the bumper at 17.20 at Warwick, because of his very interesting German pedigree.

Betting forecast Gowran Park:
1. Race: Noble Inn - Arzembouy Premier - Our Manekineko
2. Race: Sizing Granite - Zigger Zagger - Fort Smith
3. Race: Zaidpour - Mala Beach - Jetson
4. Race: Royal Flight - Federici - Cassells Rock
5. Race: Los Amigos - Vesper Bell - On His Own
6. Race: Dogora - Followmeuptocarlow - Ring Ben
7. Race: Black Hercules - Vicangelome - Stack The Deck

today´s N.H. racing

once again we have soft to heavy ground at today´s two N.H. meetings in the U.K. and a very low standard of racing throughout. Tony McCoy oontinues his Yorkshire tour at Catterick today and rides Irish raider Rare Legend for Shark Hanlon in the opening novice hurdle for stayers at 14.10 CET. He is no star, but could win this in receipt of 14 lbs from the obvious favouite The Last Samuri (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire).McCoy teams up with Jonjo O´Neill on Holywell at 15.10 and Ubaldo des Menhies half an hour later, and both of these also have decent prospects. A runner we like from a much smaller stable is Bocamix (Andy Crook/ John KIngton), who has bottom weight in the handicap chase at 16.15; he ran well over this CD a fortnight ago, and with both the main dangers upped 13 lbs for winning their last two races, could score off his light weight here.
Most of the other leading jockeys are at Southwell, and Noel Fehily could star here, as we like his prospects on Charlie Longsdon´s Long Lunch at 14.50 and Glowinginthedark at 16.25, and Harry Fry´s Don Pooleoni at 16.20.
There is an all-hurdles card in Fairyhouse in Ireland, with large fields but very short on quality; ex-German Rich Prince (Mervyn Torrens/ Mark Darcy) could run well at a big price in the maiden hurdle at 15.05.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Rare Legend - Native Spa - Finaghy Ayr
2. Race: Newdane Dancer - Seven Summits - Logical Approach
3. Race: Shotavodka - Holywell - Tour D`Argent
4. Race: Ubaltique - Hit The Top - Shanen
5. Race: Cloudy Joker - Arkaim - Prince Of Dreams
6. Race: Bennys Well - Cara Court - Esme Rides A Gaine
7. Race: Zeroeshadesofgrey - Take The Cash - Halkirk

Frankie´s back!

it is comeback week in British racing, with Big Bucks (winner of 18 successive races between January 2009 and December 2012) due to reappear on Saturday at Cheltenham, and all fans of N.H. racing hope that he and his young jockey Sam Twiston-Davies will pass the winning line in first place.
Of more immediate interest however is today´s very poor card on the all-weather at Lingfield, where all eyes will be on Frankie Dettori, riding in public fof the first time since breaking his ankle 4 days before last year´s Arc, won by his intended mount Treve.
Frankie is a very professional and dedicated jockey, one of the very best we have seen in Europe since the war, and we are sure that he will be back at the top before long. However experience has shown that even the best jockeys need some time before coming back to their best form after serious injury, so we would be cautious about backing his 3 mounts today. They are John Hills´ Eco Warrior in the opening 1 1/2 mile maiden at 14.00 CET, Jeremy Noseda´s Gone with the Wind in a 3yo maiden at 15.00 and Alex Dunn´s Exemplary in a 2 miles conditions race half an hour later. Gone with the Wind has probably the best chance of these, but we would rather watch than bet.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Experimentalist - Eco Warrior - Celtic Sunlight
2. Race: Kindlelight Storm - Geeaitch - Keep Kicking
3. Race: La Napoule - Gone With The Wind - Mercury Magic
4. Race: Theology - Arch Villain - Mr Burbidge
5. Race: Go Far - Greensward - Club House
6. Race: Compton - Mr David - Smokethatthunders
7. Race: Resonare - Minimee - Bertie Blu Boy

another inspection at Leicester

today´s N.H. card at Leicester is still not certain to go ahead as an early morning inspection (after overnight frost) was not conclusive and another inspection will have to be held later.
If racing is on, we hope that our old friend, the 14yo Thedreamsstillalive (Jim Old/ HAA Bannister) can take the amateur riders handicap chase when runner-up to Carli King (Caroline Bailey/ Tom Mesenger) over this CD a fortnight ago. The winner now runs in a better grade race at 16.25 but could well score again, although the distance is further this time; on the whole we prefer Mentalist (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman), whose stable continues in great form.
There should be no problems at Wetherby, although the going will obviously be very soft. Tony McCoy is here, primarily to Partner Donald McCain´s Stonebrook at 15.30; this one was bought by JP McManus after two easy bumper wins on heavy ground and makes his debut over sticks here. He faces a powerful opponent in Tiqris (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson), whose latest form at Newbury looks very strong, and he is our selection. McCoy rides Rayak for Jonjo O´Neill in the opening 4yo hurdle at 13.20, but this one also has a strong opponent in Certification (John Ferguson/ Denis O´Regan). David O´Meara´s Rose of the Moon, top-weight in the handicap chase at 14.55, could therefore be McCoy´s best hope of a winner today; this lightly-raced 9yo has been running in better Company and can defy his huge weight.
Easily the best race on Southwell´s all-weather card is the 5 furlongs handicap at 16.15. Plenty of old friends here, including CD specialist Even Stevens (Scott Dixon/ Matthew Hopkins) who beat 5 of these opponents when winning here at New Year. He is up 8 lbs and can score again, but we shall take a chance with Prohibit (Robert Cowell/ Martin Lane), sixth on that occasion on his first ever try at this track. He is no longer in the form which saw him win group races in younger days, but is very nicely handicapped.


Betting forecast:
1. Race: Rayak - Certification - Chebsey Beau
2. Race: Little Glenshee - Sharney Sike - Free World
3. Race: Over My Head - Adili - Waywood Princess
4. Race: Wicklow Lad - Real Milan - Rose Of The Moon
5. Race: Tiqris - Secrete Stream - Stonebrook
6. Race: Mighty Mobb - Carrigeen Kariega - The Magic Bishop
7. Race: Boomtown - Doyenthedecenthing - Catching On

only 2 all-weather meetings today

with the abandonment of Bangor´s N.H. card, we are left today with only two very poor all-weather meetings. Not only is the standard of racing low throughout, there are also some very small fields, so punters should keep stakes low.
At Southwell we expect Noble Citizen (David Simcock/ Georgeann Bucknell) to conform the form of last week´s CD win with Tatting (Chris Dwyer/ Shelley Birkett) at 16.10 CET. That was an apprentice race, so he has no penalty today for that convincing win. Half an hour later Maakirr (Steve Bowring/ Mark Coumbe) attempts to land a quick CD hat-trick over 6 furlongs; however he is no longer so well handicapped, and top-weight Trojan Rocket (Michael Wigham/ Robert Winston) and bottom-weight Pull the Pin (Ann Stokell/ William Carson) may be preferred. Pull the Pin had a good CD record for an earlier trainer and the Stokell/ Carson team had a winner last week.
The best betting race at Wolverhampton is the opening 5 furlongs handicap at 15.30. Veteran Trainer Milton Bradley has two runners here and both could be involved - New Decade (Adam Kirby), a dual CD winner including last time out, and Solemn (Richard Kingscote); the 9yo has not won for a while, but usually goes well here and is our selection.

Betting forecast Wolverhampton:
1. Race: New Decade - Give Us A Belle - Master Of Disguise
2. Race: Summerfree - Echua - Montjess
3. Race: Rebel Code - Trinity Lorraine - El Duque
4. Race: Elusive Hawk - Officer In Command - Saharia
5. Race: Reggie Bond - Stanlow - Tukitinyasok
6. Race: Ruffled - Turnbuckle - Colour My World
7. Race: Lean On Pete - Absent Amy - Eastern Dragon

3 poor meetings today

only low level sport at today´s 3 meetings, and even the Irish card at Fairyhouse is below par for a Sunday. The main event is the Grade Three mares novice hurdle at 14.20 CET, in which we expect Willie Mullins´ two runners to dominate: Ruby Walsh rides ex-French Vicky de l´Oasis, but at these weights we prefer the younger Gitane du Berlais (Paul Townend). By far the most valuable race of the day however is the handicap chase over 2 miles 1 furlong at 15.20. Majala (Tom George/ Paddy Brennan) is the sole challenger from the U.K. and we think he has a definite chance; he is a winner at this level at Auteuil and clearly the very soft ground should be no problem. He has top weight here, but is still well handicapped on his best form and has more class than the locals; top Irish trainers Willie Mullins, Tony Martin and Noel Meade each saddle two runners in the hope of grabbing some of the 100,000 euros prize-money, but we hope that the winner´s share goes across the Irish Sea.
The sole jumping card in the U.K. is at Towcester, where the ground will be very testing. From the German point of view, the most interesting race is the opening maiden hurdle at 14.10, which should go to the Schlenderhan-bred Milord (Kim Bailey/ Jason Maguire), who was in a clear lead wehen falling last time in a much better race at Kempton´s Christmas meeting. Main danger is Southwell runner-up Ampleforth (Ian Williams/ Wayne Kennedy), who also has a strong German element in his pedigree, being a direct descendant of classic winner Anna Paola.
Easily the best race at Kempton´s all-weather meeting is the conditions event over 6 furlongs at 17.00. Hoof It (Mick Easterby/ James Sullivan) looks the one to beat here. He is very smart on turf, winning the Stewards Cup under a huge weight in 2011 and placing several times in group races., and although he has never run here, he did not do all badly at Lingfield just before Christmas, when fourth in a similar race and on that form holds his two most dangerous opponents Ballista and Forest Edge. CD specialist Capone would have a chance at his best but appears to have totally lost form.


Betting forecast Fairyhouse:
1. Race: Daneking - Le Vent D`antan - Waxies Dargle
2. Race: Vicky De L`oasis - Gitane Du Berlais - Theatre Bird
3. Race: Tidy Zag - Hurricane Sky - Dick Dundee
4. Race: Turban - Savello - Majala
5. Race: Grand Jesture - Hit The Headlines - Vino Vino Cavo
6. Race: Hold Em Cowboy - Lisrose - Classic Event
7. Race: Most Peculiar - Lord Scoundrel - Wildebeest

Haydock and Taunton

Haydock also stages an excellent card today with several races billed as Cheltenham trials, including the Grade Two Champion Hurdle Trial at 15.40 CET. To be honest, none of these 6 runners would appear to have a chance in the real thing, but ex-French Ptit Zig (Paul Nicholls/ Daryl Jacob) looks pretty smart and ran an excellent race on his U.K. debut before Christmas at Ascot. A repeat of that form would be enough to see him score here, with Melodic Rendezvous (Jeremy Scott/ Nick Scholfield) the only serious danger. Earlier Ptit Zig had bearen Un temps Pour Tous (David Pipe/ Tom Scudamore) in a valuable race at Auteuil, and that one afterwards changed hands for an amazing 450,000 GBP. He makes his British debut here in the Grade Two novices hurdle here at 15.05; obviously there are high hopes for him, but he meets two very promising opponents here in Zamdy Man (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman), closely related to Lando, and Stand To Reason (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty).
The best betting race here is the Grade Two Peter Marsh Chase, a limited handicap over 3+ miles at 16.15. Merry King (Jonjo O´Neill/ Richie McLernon) and Vintage Star (Sue Smnith/ Ryan Mania) were 5th and 6th in the Welsh Grand National. Merry King is now better off and should confirm that form, but it was a very hard race only 3 weeks ago. We prefer Katenko (Williams/ Coleman), who loves heavy ground, but so does Night Alliance (Dr. Newland/ Scudamore) who is amazingly improved this season and not out of it despite a rise of 30 lbs in the weights.
The Taunton card is much lower level than Ascot and Haydock. Our main fancy here is Brackloon High (Brendan Powell/ James Banks) at 14.40, who stays well and has form on the heavy, and Workbench (Dan and Harry Skelton) at 16.25, who would have won here last time but for making two terrible mistakes; if he jumps round safely he should get the better of Sound Investment (Paul Nicholls/ Ryan Mahon).

Betting forecast Haydock:
1. Race: Western Jo - Ugly Bug - Saphir River
2. Race: Trustan Times - Benvolio - Rival D`Estruval
3. Race: Taquin Du Seuil - O`faolains Boy - Knock A Hand
4. Race: Un Temps Pour Tout - Zamdy Man - Stand To Reason
5. Race: Melodic Rendezvous - Ifandbutwhynot - Act Of Kalanisi
6. Race: Katenko - Merry King - Vintage Star
7. Race: Garde Ville - Greensalt - Straidnahanna

Ascot today

the good news is that all racing is on in the U.K. and Ireland today, despite the continued awful weather. The bad news of course is that the going will be very testing everywhere, making punting very difficult.
Ascot is the main meting today and the Grade One Clarence House Chase over 2 miles at 16.35 CET the best race. Sire de Grugy (Gary and Jamie Moore) is the logoical choice here; he is in great form, having won 7 of his last 10 races, including beating many of these opponents both at Kempton last time (where Sprinter Sacre was pulled up, which certainly devalues the form a bit) and at Sandown before that. He will also cope with the conditions than many of the others, another factor to his advantage. However we still have a nagging doubt. He has never run at Ascot before and we give slight preference to Somersby (Mick Channon/ Dominic Elsworth), who is a real course specialist: he won this race in 2012 and was only beaten a short head in 2011. The ground is obviously a worry and he was 4 lengths behind Sire de Grugy at Sandown, but his good course record speaks for him. He would certainly be the most emotional winner after the death of Terry Biddlecombe a few days ago. The two Irish challengers Days Hotel (Henry de Bromhead/ Richard Johnson) and Hidden Cclone (Shark Hanlon/ Andrew McNamara) are next best, but in our view- and according to the ratings - they are not good enoiugh to win.
The Grade Two Mares hurdle at 14.50 has only attracted a modest field for this grade, even though most of the runners come here in good form. Carole´s Spirit (Rupert Walford/ Leighton Aspell) has won her last 3 races easily enough but this is a much tougher race and our preference is for Highland Retreat (Harry Fry/ Noel Fehily) and Mickie (Henry Daly/ Johnson), both of whom have won their last two races and should handle the ground o.k.
The handicap hurdle at 15.25 is also a Grade Two event and looks much more open. The Skyfarmer (Philip Hobbs/ Johnson) has won his last 4 races, but they were all on good going and he has shot up the weights as a result. Minella Forfitnmess (Nicky Henderson/ David Bass) is also unproven on the ground and does not appear well handicapped. On what could be a good day for the Moore family, Knight of Pleasure must be considered, but our two main hopes are Irish Saint (Paul Nicholls/ Fehily) and especially Bourne (Donald McCain/ Henry Brooke), a CD winner who acts on the heavy and who looks very well treated off bottom weight.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Masquerading - Handiwork - Mandy`s Boy
2. Race: Bobcatbilly - Ballinvarrig - Kingcora
3. Race: Mickie - Prima Porta - Utopie Des Bordes
4. Race: The Skyfarmer - Get Back In Line - Minella Forfitness
5. Race: Renard - Theatrical Star - Bury Parade
6. Race: Sire De Grugy - Somersby - Hidden Cyclone
7. Race: Champagne West - Knock House - Swallowshide

Musselburgh only N.H. racing today

Musselburgh stages the only N.H. racing today and has an interesting card; the Edinburgh area has not been so badly affected by the weather as most other parts of the U.K. and the good to soft going will give opportunities to horses unsuited by the heavy ground everywhere else.
This gives Clever Cookie (Peter Niven/ Keith Renwick) a chance in the handicap hurdle at 15.45 CET; he has been first or second on all his starts so far and seems to prefer good ground. Discovery Bay (Brian Ellison/ Tony McCoy) is an obvious danger and as a son of Dansili should also appreciate this better going. McCoy also has prospects on Steve Gollings´ Bar de Ligne in the following handicap chase, but here we are also interested in The Knoxs (Sue Smith/ Ryan Mania), who has been pulled up on 3 of his 4 starts for this trainer but was much higher rated earlier for Paul Nicholls and could well come back to form today. Irish-trained Mister First (Robbie Hennessy/ Tom O´Brien) is another possibility in a very open race. The McCoy ride which interests us most is David O´Meara´s German-bred Maison de Ville in the mares novice hurdle at 15.15; owned by Hoppegarten boss Gerhard Schöningh, she has a good jumping pedigree and we would not be at all surprised to see her run a big race here.
There are 3 all-weather meetings today, consisting mainly of rubbishy handicaps. The two better races have tiny fields, for example at 16.00 at Lingfield where there are only 4 runners in the 1 1/2 mile race; but they include Castilo del Diablo (David Simcock/ Adam Kirby) and Modernstone (Will Knight/ Andrea Atzeni), recently separated by a neck when first and second in a valuable handicap over this CD. The latter is slightly worse off at the weights, but could still reverse the form this time.
Even more interesting is the conditions race over 9 1/2 furlongs at 20.00 at Wolverhampton, in which Jackalberry (Marco Botti/ Kirby), whose last run was a Group Two victory at the Dubai Carnival, makres his comeback before returning to Meydan. However this trip is too short for the 2012 Melbourne Cup third, and it may pay to take him on with CD specialist Come On Blue Chip (Paul D´Arcy/ Sean Levey), even though he has no theoretical chance on ratings.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Twice Lucky - Gibbstown - Call Me Mulligan
2. Race: Western Approaches - Lac Sacre - Spin Cast
3. Race: Brijomi Queen - Cloudante - Morning With Ivan
4. Race: Clever Cookie - Sky Khan - Sud Pacifique
5. Race: Drumlang - Storming Gale - Bar De Ligne
6. Race: Racing Europe - Gurkha Brave - Warriors Tale

Meydan today

today´s Meydan card is relatively low key with the listed 6 furlongs race at 17.50 CET the main event. This looks very difficult with runners from all over, but course specialist Reynaldothewizard (Satish Seeman/ Richard Mullen) looks the safest option; he was unbeaten in 3 starts over this CD at last year´s Carnival.
Also on the card are the trial races for the UAE 1000 Guineas at 16.05 and 2000 Guineas at 16.40. Mike de Kock and Charlie Appleby each have two runners in both races and they could well dominate. Christophe Soumlllon rides Magrooma and Jourmeyman for the South African trainer and both are on the short list, although stable companion Full Combat, ridden by the owner´s retained jockey Paul Hanagan, is an obvious threat in the colts´ race, but we prefer the Godolphin runners Wedding Ring and Safety Check, both partnered by Mikael Barzalona.
There are two runners with German connections running in the 10 furlongs handicap at 17.15, Energizer (Appleby/ Barzalona) and Sahawar (Christophe Ferland/ Thierry Thulliez). The former was a Royal Ascot winner for Jens Hirschberger and Gestüt Schlenderhan in 2012, but missed all last year as a result of the doping scandal, while Sahawar, owned by our boss, last ran in the Arc, no less, and finished a respectable 11th. Both should figure today, but it is a very open affair.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Cat O`mountain - Saxo Jack - Haafaguinea
2. Race: Autumn Lily - Wedding Ring - Magroora
3. Race: Emirates Flyer - Dolce N Karama - Safety Check
4. Race: Star Empire - Energizer - Code Of Honor
5. Race: Reynaldothewizard - Kavanagh - United Color
6. Race: Validus - Counterglow - Lehaaf

3 jumps meetings in the U.K.

we also have a full programme in the U.K. today with 3 jumps meetings in the afternoon; tomorrow´s Chepstow card has already been called off (track waterlogged), but there should be no problems today, although the going obviously will be very soft/ heavy all over.
Most of the top jockeys will be at Market Rasen where Tony McCoy has several good rides, including Spookydooky for Jonjo O´Neill at 14.30 CET and Warren Greatrex´s Chalk It Down half an hour later; however in the latter race we prefer German-bred Favorite Girl (Mike Appleby/ Jonathan England) who was outstayed at Doncaster last time, but should find this slightly shorter trip ideal. McCoy also rides the ex-French Ultimatum Du Roy for Alex Hales at 16.30 and his handicap rating could be quite lenient. The same cannot be said of Upepito (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman) in the preceding race, and here we expect Firth Of The Clyde (Malcolm Jefferson/ Brian Hughes) to follow up his Wetherby victory.
Two German-breds also catch our eye at Ludlow - Lava Lamp (Evan Williams/ Mr F Tett) in the amateur riders handicap chase at 15.10 and Lord of House (Charlie Mann/ Micky Grant) and both could run well The former, a half- brother to Lady Marian, is trying today´s trip of 3 miles for the first time but runs as if he will get it, especially here, his favourite track.
The Somerset National over almost 3 1/2 miles at 15.20 is the main event at Wincanton, and this will be a real war of attrition of the ground. Despite their big weight, Monkerty Tunkerty (J Westwood/ Wayne Kennedy) and Red Rocco (Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies) have easily the best form here and we expect them to fight it out. The handicap hurdle here at 15.50 is very competitive, but we shall give another chance to Poet (Clive Cox/ Dominic Elsworth), Group cvlass on the flast but very disappointing on his last two runs over sticks. However he loves heavy going and is extremely well handicapped if only he can find his form again.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Fergal Mael Duin - Lyric Street - Spookydooky
2. Race: Yorkist - Chalk It Down - Mulligan`s Man
3. Race: Joanne One - The Jugopolist - Superior Quality
4. Race: Upepito - Firth Of The Clyde - Flaming Gorge
5. Race: Legendary Hop - Presence Felt - Plum Pudding
6. Race: Trozulon - Bold Raider - Kodicil

two Grade Two chases in Ireland

some good racing today from Thurles and the Irish track stages one of its top meetings with two Grade Two chases. The mares novice chase over 2 1/2 miles at 15.15 CET should go to Une Artiste (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty), the Lambourn trainer´s first ever runner here. She is top-rated here, was easily the best of these over hurdles and seems to be going the right way over fences. Byerly Babe (Robert Tyner/ PT Enright) and Kates Benefit (D Budds/ Danny Mullins) look booked for the minor places.
The Kinloch Brae Chase over the same trip half an hour later is the main feature and looks tricky. Gigginstown has two runners., with Bryan Cooper on Philip Fenton´ s Last Instalment; however he has not run since winning two Grade Ones in the spring of 2012, and perhaps the other Gigginstown runner Quito de la Roque (Colm Murphy/ Davy Russell), who won this last year, can be preferred. Willie Mullins can never le left out of calculations, but his runner Prince de Beauchene (Ruby Walsh) needs to improve on his latest efforts. More dangerous in our view are Noel Meades´ two runners Texas Jack (Paul Carberry) and Realt Dubh (Barry Geraghty); although not the choice of the stable jockey, the latter is our choice as he is receiving weight and although he has not won for almost 3 years has plenty of good form at this level.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Kylestyle - Daliyan - Feel The Air
2. Race: Kalmann - Folsom Blue - Mount Colah
3. Race: Une Artiste - Kates Benefit - Aibrean
4. Race: Quito De La Roque - Baily Green - Last Instalment
5. Race: Clondaw Court - Festive Felon - Horendus Hulabaloo
6. Race: Sarabad - Grange - Somethingwonderful
7. Race: Oscar Delta - Burren River - Boxer Georg

Newbury and Newcastle

two N.H. meetings today - as well as the usual low level all-weather racing this afternoon at Lingfield and this evening at Kempton - and Newbury at least promises some interesting racing. Nicky Henderson has his hurdlers in good form and can take the opening race for 4yo´s at 13.50 CET with Dawalan (Barry Geraghty), who made an excellent debut over this CD a month ago. He also has a good chance with Full Shift (Tony McCoy) in the novice hurdle at 14.50, who has won his only race over the sticks, but here we just prefer Brother Brian (Hughie Morrison/ Tom O´Brien), who won over this CD last time. The novice chase at 14.20 only has 5 runners and looks a match between German-bred Dark Lover (Paul Nicholls/ Daryl Jacob) and Brick Red (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman). The best betting race here is the 3 mile handicap chase at 15.25; recent winners Railway Dillon (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire) and Financial Climate (Oliver Sherwood/ Thomas Garner) are certainly not out of it despite a rise in the ratings, but we shall give another chance to Restless Harry (Robin Dickin/ Charlie Poste), who has unseated his rider the last twice (fancied by us both times). We are hoping for third time lucky today.
The card at Newcastle is not nearly as good, and the heavy ground will make things very testing in the 3 miles handicap chase at 15.45. Tutchec (Nicky Richards/ Brian Harding) has won his last 3 races, but they were all at Carlisle, all on better ground and all over shorter distances, and as the handicapper has put him up 26 lbs we shall look elsewhere, finally deciding on Rolecarr (Mrs Hamilton/ Graham Watters), who was runner-up over this CD 11 days ago. A German-bred who has caught our eye is Ortolan (Donald McCain/ Henry Brooke), who has not run for nearly 4 years, but faces only modest opposition at 13.40; he is by Next Desert out of a Monsun mare so should have no problems with the going. Sphinx (Edwin Tuer/ Tony Kelly) is at 16 one of the oldest horses in training, bjut is weighted to win the handicap hurdle at 16.20. Another longshot we like is Cop Hill (Tracy Waggott Dougie Costello) at 14.40.


Betting forecast:
1. Race: Prince Khurram - Interior Minister - Carry On Sydney
2. Race: Brick Red - Festive Affair - Merchant Of Milan
3. Race: Full Shift - Brother Brian - Cole Harden
4. Race: Financial Climate - Tullyraine - Railway Dillon
5. Race: Baby Shine - Miss Milborne - Definite Memories
6. Race: Diaktoros - Palermo Don - Pitter Patter
7. Race: Bold Addition - Foundry Square - Ninetieth Minute

Exeter today

With Ffos Las and Lingfield off, the additional card at Exeter is now the only the only jumps racing of the day. The veterans handicap chase over 3 miles at 16.40 CET is the main event, and the weights are headed by the smart front-runner Junior (David PIpoe/ Conor O´Farrell); he has come down in the ratings, but still has to concede 15 lbs and more all round here, and we prefer his stable companion Alderluck (Mikey Ennis), who looks well handicapped off bottom weight. The main danger is probably Ballyoliver (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman), whose team continue in great form and had another double yesterday. Our other fancies here are Milarrow (Colin Tizzard/ Brendan Powell) at 13.55, Strollawaynow (David Arbuthnot/ Tom Cannon) half an hour later, and Allow Dallow (Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy) in the maiden hurdle at 16.05; the last-named is out of a German mare and is in our view the best thing of the day.

There is also low level flat racing on the all-weather at Southwell where 6 of the 7 races are poor grade handicaps. The best of them is the 5 furlongs race at 16.25, in which we select Hannahs Turn (Chris Dwyer/ Shelley Birkett); This course specialist has won 6 times at Southwell, all at sprint distances and the last twice with this talented young rider aboard.

3 poor meetings today

This is a quiet time of year for the racing industry and today´s 3 meetings, a N.H. card on heavy ground at Plumpton and all-weather flat racing at Lingfield and Wolverhampton, are all very low level. At Plumpton we expect two trainers to dominate proceedings - Venetia Williams, with her stable jockey Aidan Coleman, and Jeremy Scott with Nick Scholfield. Williams can take the opening novice hurdle at 14.00 with the penalised Uhlan Bute - Scott´s Daveron the main danger- as well as the novice hurdle over a longer distance at 15.30 with Toubeela and the handicap chase half an hour later with Saroque, who is upped 8 lbs for winning a Newbury a fortnight ago but can score again with the ground still in his favour. Scott can counter with CD specialist Glenwood Prince, top-weight in the stayers handicap chase at 15.00, and the much-improved Night of Passion in the final handicap hurdle over 3+ miles; this one has been put up 21 lbs and is up in grade following her two easy wins in December, including this CD, but seems to be capable of better still. Williams has the main danger here in Rocky Bender, a 9yo maiden (!) who is really just a plodder but probably capable of winning a small race.

Today´s all-weather racing is as usual very uninspiring and there are again some small fields. The "best" race is the 8 1/2 furlongs handicap at 15.40 at Wolverhampton; our first instinct was to select Dixies Dream (Willie Jarvis/ Graham Lee) here, whose trainer has a good strike-rate at this track, but the outside draw could be a problem, so we prefer Yojojo (Gay Kelleway/ David Probert), who won 6 races in 2013, including this CD twice and may not be finished yet.

Navan and Wolverhampton

There are some huge fields at today´s Irish N.H. meeting at Navan, but only 3 run in the main event, a 2 mile hurdle race at 14.10 CET. This looks at the mercy of the unbeaten Un de Sceaux (Williue Mullins/ Ruby Walsh), a Champion Hurdle entry who has plenty in hand on ratings.Foildubh (John Ryan/ Paul Carberry) is a useful chaser, but it will be a major surprise if he can topple the hot favourite here. Things did not go to plan for Mullins yesterday (as we predicted), but we expect another successful afternoon and Arklan (Walsh) at 13.40 and Milsean (Paddy Mullins) in the bumper at 16.40 are other likely winners. Mullins and Walsh also team up with Popcorn in the 2 1/2 mile handicap chase at 16.10. but this one has not run for more than 2 years.

Frankly, we would rather leave the Wolverhampton all-weather alone, as it is very poor and the small fields mean that normal each-way betting is only possible in two races. They are the first and last races at 14.00 and 17.00 and in both we fancy a runner owned by Dr. Marwan Koukash, trained by Richard Fahey and ridden by George Chaloner -Parisian Pyramid and Kyllachy Star respectively.

Navan - betting forecast:
1. Race: Aklan - Chancol - The Engineer
2. Race: Flaxen Flare - Foildubh - Akatara
3. Race: Leavethelighton - Shaunas Dream - Rudolf
4. Race: Gallant Oscar - Sacre Malta - Drive On Locky
5. Race: Irish Thistle - Seskinane - Our Ollie
6. Race: She`S Got Grit - Popcorn - Sole Witness
7. Race: Milsean - Bonzo Bing - Sucker Punch

Kelso abandoned

Today´s N.H. meeting at Kelso has been abandoned because of a frozen track. The only racing in the U.K.today is a relatively weak card on the all-weather at Wolverhampton, while in Ireland there is jumps racing at Navan.

Mullins runners in all the top races

Apart from his two runners in the main events at Kempton, Willie Mullins also saddles the hot favourite in the main feature in Ireland and also has 3 runners at Warwick, all partnered by David Casey. Of These we certainly expect Glen´s Melody to win the opening listed mares hurdle at 13.10 CET, while Rathvinden, easy winner of his last 3 races, has an obvious chance in the Grade Two novice hurdle at 16.00; however this is quite a tricky trace and we shall take a chance on Splash of Ginge (Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies), who ran well in the race won by Irving at Ascot. Mullins´ runner in the big staying handicap chase at 16.35, Vesper Bell, is presumably being aimed at the Grand National; he acts well on heavy ground and stays well, but is not noticeably well handicapped. But he comes on to our short list, together with Loch Ba (Mick Channon/ Dominic Elsworth) and Emperors Choice (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman),pulled up behind Loch Ba last time, but with a definite chance on last season´s form.
At Punchestown, Mullins´ Vautour (Paul Townend) looks certain to starts at long odds-on in the Grade Two novice hurdle at 15.20 after his impressive win on his first Irish start; Chicago (Pat Shanahan/ Paddy Mangan), a decent flat horse who won well over hurdles last time, is the one for the forecast.

Warwick - betting forecast:
1. Race: Glens Melody - Hidden Identity - Mischievous Milly
2. Race: Don Pooleoni - Dungeness - Windpfeil
3. Race: Corrin Wood - Via Sundown - Court Victory
4. Race: Dolatulo - Sew On Target - Granville Island
5. Race: Uncle Jimmy - Drop Out Joe - African Gold
6. Race: Rathvinden - Killala Quay - Creepy
7. Race: Vesper Bell - Boyfromnowhere - Shotgun Paddy
8. Race: Meetmeatthemoon - Millicent Silver - Superior Fire

Tolworth Hurdle now at Kempton today

The Grade One Tolworth Hurdle for novices over 2 miles should have been run at last Saturday´s abandoned Sandown meeting, but has now been switched to today´s Kempton meeting at 14.35 CET, and although there are only 6 runners, it looks a really hot race. Willie Mullins, whose novices have been winning everything in sight in Ireland, sends over Upazo (Ruby Walsh), who has won his last 2 races very easily, but faces much tougher opposition now. Nicky Henderson, another expert handler of novice hurdlers, saddles two: Josses Hill, a convincing winner of his only start over sticks, with stable jockey Barry Geraghty, and Royal Boy (Tony McCoy), who was third in this last year (at Sandown), but whose latest win came over a much longer distance. The distance could also be a problem for The Liquidator (David Pipe/ Tom Scudamore), a top bumper horse last season, as the trainer has declared that he would have been much better suited by the stiffer Sandown track, but the very soft going will be to his advantage. Grade la Victoire( Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson) ran a good race at Cheltenham last time, while Prince Siegfried (John Ferguson/ Denis O´Regan) is in oiur view ther most interesting runner. On flat form he is certainly the best horse in the field, but that does not always work out over hurdles. However he ran a great race at Ascot last time, before falling at the last when upsides with Irving. He would not have beaten Irving, but we regard that one as the best novice in England, which gives Prince Siegfried a definite chance here.

We may be wrong about the Mullins/Walsh runners, but we also go against their Twinlight in the listed chase over 2 1/ 2 miles at 15.10 despite his impressive Irish form. However that was always over 2 miles, and we are not sure that he will stay the extra half mile today; his German dam was a daughter of Big Shuffle, hardly a guarantee of stamina. For us Captain Chris (Hobbs/ Johnson) and Champion Court (Martin Keighley/ McCoy) are the more solid options. There is very little between them on their form in Huntingdon´s Peterborough Chase a month ago, where Champion Court was rather unlucky, but we still just prefer the Hobbs runner because of his excellent Kempton record.

Because of the extra race, the carde opens early at 12.55 with a 4yo hurdle, which could go to the debutant Goodwood Mirage (Jonjo O´Neill/ McCoy), who was listed class on the flat and goes well on the ground. The handicaps are of course very tricky, though we shall stay loyal to German-bred Lyvius (Henderson/ Geraghty), a half-brother to Lucky Speed, in the final hurdle race at 16.50, even though he is not so well handicapped now and the ground is not ideal. The big betting race is the valuable hurdle handicap over 2 miles 5 furlongs at 15.40. Saphir du Rheu (Paul Nicholls/ Harry Derham) and Junction Fourteen (Emma Lavelle/ Johnson) have both been put up more than a stone for their latest easy victories. We hope that German-bred Home Run (Pipe/ Tom Bellamy) can reverse the Sandown form with Saphir du Rheu on these much better terms, while our other two fancies are River Maigue (Henderson/ Geraghty) and the very consistent Spirit of Shankly (Charlie Longsdon/ Noel Fehily).

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Goodwood Mirage - Sun Wild Life - Grey Blue
2. Race: Ice `N` Easy - Toby Lerone - Barlow
3. Race: Minella On Line - Spencer Lea - Back In June
4. Race: The Liquidator - Upazo - Josses Hill
5. Race: Twinlight - Captain Chris - Champion Court
6. Race: Junction Fourteen - Saphir Du Rheu - If In Doubt
7. Race: Relax - Good Order - Buddy Bolero
8. Race: Deep Trouble - Lyvius - Moujik Borget

4 poor meetings today

for a Friday, today´s cards are very poor with even the sole remaining N.H. meeting at Sedgefield (abandoned Huntingdon would have been more interesting) of little significance. One runner who catches the eye om pedigree is Next Hight (Sue Smith/ Jonathan England), who runs in the novices handicap hurdle at 14.45 CET. He is out of German classic winner Night Petticoat, which makes him a half-brother to German Derby winner Next Desert, but he has very little of their ability. However this is such a weak race that he must have a decent chance. Another runner with German connections is Pindar (Jodie Foster/ Sammy Drake) in the handicap chase half an hlour earlier; he was bred by Schlenderhan, but is also a very modest performer running in a weak race, although we are not sure how he will handle the heavy ground. Foster and Drake possibly have better prospects with Cara Court at 15.15, who is penalised 7 lbs for winning at New Year but meets very feeble opposition here.
The only flat race today which could conceivably be of interest is the 3yo maiden at Dundalk at 29.45, with runners from top trainers Aidan O´Brien and Dermot Weld, but there is very little form to go on, and to be honest we would rather leave these races alone and wait for tomorrow´s much better cards (weather permitting).

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Sir Mangan - Carrybridge - Riskier
2. Race: Debt To Society - Lough Coi - Jim Job Jones
3. Race: Kathlatino - Next Hight - Rose Red
4. Race: Cara Court - Pamak D`Airy - Mia`S Vic
5. Race: The Young Master - Quel Elite - American Life
6. Race: Orlittlebylittle - Ivanka - Markem
7. Race: Master Dee - Donna`s Diamond - Astaroland

Dubai Racing Carnival starts today

the Dubai Racing Carnival starts today at Meydan and will be with us every Thursday for the next few weeks with some very high class and competitive racing, far better than anything which can be seen in Europe at this time of year. From the betting point of view, today´s card should be treated with caution; some of the local runners may have a fitness advantage, having already run here in the lesser races this winter, while it is unclear how well the many British and Irish runners have acclimatised. In addition. many of today´s runners have bigger targets to aim at later in the meeting and are just having a prep race today. South African trainer Mike de Kock, for example, who always does well at this meeting, has said that all his runners will need their first race; he may of course be simply playing down his chances, but we shall take his remark at face value and leave him off our tips today.
The opening race at 15.30 CET is a Group One for Arab horses and is followed by a 5 furlongs handicap at 16.05 with 15 runners, which looks extremely tricky. We shall take a chance with Monsieur Joe (Paul Midgley/ William Buick), who was a CD winner here last year when trained by Robert Cowell and still looks well handicapped. The following 9 1/2 furlongs event on tapeta is another open handicap and we go along with course specialist Busker, ridden by our old friend Adrie de Vries, although the ex-American Transparent (Saeed bin Suroor/ Silvestre de Sousa) could be a big danger. Next follows another handicap with a maximum field over 7 furlongs; Fulbright (Charlie Appleby/ Mikael Barzalona) was a group race winner for Mark Johnston in 2012 and if he get back to that level of form must go well in this company.
Then come the two main events.The listed race over 9 furlongs at 17.50 is back on turf; Dux Scholar (Doug Watson/ Pat Dobbs), who ran well at the last 2 big Baden-Baden Meetings, has a chance here, but we would not want to see this owner successful so prefer Tales of Grimm (Richard Fahey/ James Doyle). The Group Two Al Maktoum Challenge R1 over a mile on tapeta at 18.25 is the main feature today, and of course many of the runners are owned by members of the Maktoum family. The most interesting one is Steeler (Appleby/ Barzalona), not seen out since running third in the Racing Post Trophy in 2012. He was one of the 22 Godolphin horses banned following the disgrace of their previous trainer Mahmoud al Zarooni, and is the first of them to reappear now that the ban is over. It might be slightly embarrassing if he were to win straight off, and we just prefer the filly Shuruq (bin Suroor/ de Sousa) in the same ownership, who has run several good races here. Empire Storm (Mike Attwater/ Kieren Fallon) was one of the best German milers of recent seasons when trained by Andreas Wöhler, but we cannot imagine that he is good enough to play a leading role here. A horse that ran in Germany last year that might have a better chance is Arnold Lane (Mick Channon/ Willie Twiston-Davies), winner of the Silberne Peitsche at Munich last May, who runs in the 7 furlongs handicap at 19.00.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Rabbah De Carrere - Nieshan - Areem
2. Race: Bungle Inthejungle - Rafeej - Take Ten
3. Race: El Estruendoso - Specific Gravity - Izaaj
4. Race: Mutin - Bertiewhittle - My Freedom
5. Race: Artigiano - Tales Of Grimm - Dux Scholar
6. Race: Barbecue Eddie - Steeler - Rerouted
7. Race: Anaerobio - Disa Leader - Complicate

Catterick today

today´ s N.H. meeting at Catterick goes ahead after the track passed an early morning inspection, but the going will obviously be heavy. Tony McCoy is a rare visitor here, but rides in the first 3 races and could even land a hat-trick with Magic Skyline for Brian Ellison at 13.35 CET, Getabuzz for Tim Easterby at 14.05 and Suprise Vendor for Will Coltherd half an hour later. However he has no ride in the main event, the North Yorkshire Grand National over 3 3/4 miles at 15.35. Chac Du Cadran (CC Bealby/ Tom Messenger) won this last year, and although he has shown nothing since, could well go close again. On recent form, the much-improved Merlin´s Wish (Martin Keighley/ Ian Popham) and Sun Cloud (Malcolm Jefferson/ Brian Hughes) are the two to beat, but the most interesting runner in our view is Diamond Harry (Nick Williams/ James Reveley); he made a decent comeback recently after almost a year off, and is now extremely well handicapped on his old form, which includes a Hennessy Gold Cup win in 2010. From the German point of view, we are certainly interested in how Nexios (Keith Dalgleish/ Craig Nicol) gets on in the novice hurdle at 15.05. He was well beaten on his U.K. debut, but we have not forgotten how well this close relation to German Derby winner Nicaron ran in the 2012 Union-Rennen and he might run a big race at a big price today.
There is also all-weather racing at Southwell this afternoon and Wolverhampton this evening, but both cards are very poor and with some small fields as well we would rather leave these cards alone and concentrate on Meydan (preview to follow)

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Magic Skyline - Colleen Bawn - Lebanna
2. Race: Getabuzz - Gold Show - Sealous Scout
3. Race: Alderbrook Lad - Suprise Vendor - Smadynium
4. Race: Dark Dune - Askamore Darsi - Yorkist
5. Race: Merlin`s Wish - Sun Cloud - Diamond Harry
6. Race: Summerlea - Hit The Top - Welsh Bard
7. Race: Gone Forever - Rons Dream - Ride The Range

Doncaster today

Doncaster stages the only jumps racing today, while there is also all-weather flat racing at Lingfield and Kempton (evening). However the Doncaster card is easily the best and there is some very competive racing, with the ground expected to be much better than has been the case recently.
There are some interesting runners with German connections in the two hurdle races that open the card. Nordic Quest (Nicky Henderson/ David Bass), from a top Wittekindshof family, is the likely favourite at 13.10, having shown good form on his hurdles debut, when Namibian (John Ferguson/ Denis O´Regan), a dual group winner on the flat, was well back. We shall also watch Attimo (Charlie Mann/ Noel Fehily) here, who has been well beaten in his two starts over hurdles, but is a half-brother to the smart stayer Altano. Henderson also runs Nesterenko, a close relation to Nordic Quest, in the handicap at 13.40 with top-weight and with the good young amateur Freddie Mitchell in the saddle. He has a 7 lbs penalty for winning over this CD 10 days ago, but clearly has a good chance of following up.German-bred Hartside (P and R Winks) could well be one of the main dangers. Henderson has put his claimer Nico de Boinville on Act Alone in the maiden hurdle half an hour later., and this could be another winner for the stable after showing decent form in bumpers last spring. However we also like Sir Pitt (Peter Bowen/ Donal Devereux) here He was 5th in the Triumph Hurdle in 2011, but has only run twice since, however the Tiger Hill gelding´s latest effort at Ffos Las was promising and he may prove best now. Our best longshot today is Global Warming (Emma Lavelle/ Aidan Coleman) in the 3 mile handicap chase at 15.45; his form figures make terrible reading, as he has only completed twice in his last 7 starts, however he is well handicapped on his best form, and if he gets round safely today, could well be involved in the finish.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Namibian - Minella Friend - Nordic Quest
2. Race: Nesterenko - Boston Blue - Forced Family Fun
3. Race: Act Alone - Mister Newby - Sir Pitt
4. Race: Karinga Dancer - Victor Hewgo - Walkabout Creek
5. Race: Diamond King - I Got Power - Uppingham
6. Race: Ifyousayso - Categorical - Glens Boy
7. Race: Dardanella - Queen Spud - Kimora
8. Race: Blue Sea Of Ibrox - Top Billing - Another Dimension

two poor meetings today

only low-level sport over jumps at Leicester today, and even lower level flat racing on the all-weather at nearby Southwell.
Over jumps we think it could be another good day for Venetia Williams and her stable jockey Aidan Coleman, and they have winning chances at 14.50 CET with Renard d´Irlande (although Edmund Kean (David Pipe/ Tom Scudamore) could be a problem here in his first start over fences), with Massena at 15.55 and with Santo Thomas at 16.30. They also have a chance in the opening race with Uhlan Bute, but here we prefer Milo Man (Evan Williams/ Paul Moloney), probably the best horse running today; a useful bumper, he won his first race over hurdles very easily and can follow up here, as the heavy ground is clearly right up his street.
The Southwell card is poor, and the maiden race at 15.40 stakes an early claim to be the worst race of 2014. John Jenkins and Freddie Tylicki have a good record here, and can take this with Bubbly Bailey and can also follow up at 16.45 with Bladewood Girl.

Betting forecast Leicester:
1. Race: Milo Man - Uhlan Bute - Ashes House
2. Race: Stow - The Jugopolist - Going Wrong
3. Race: Muldoon`S Picnic - San Telm - Edmund Kean
4. Race: Crescent Beach - Carli King - Meirig`S Dream
5. Race: Massena - Un Anjou - Islandmagee
6. Race: Toowoomba - Santo Thomas - Kilflora

Only 3 runners in Naas Grade Two

The best race today is the Grade Two Slaney Novice Hurdle over 2 1/2 miles at 14.30 CET at Naas. Unfortunately Willie Mullins has had to withdraw Upazo, who did not get back in time from his abortive trip to Sandown´s abandoned meeting yesterday. There are now only 3 runners and Mullins should still win with Briar Hill (Ruby Walsh) who looks a candidate for major honours. After winning Cheltenham´s Champion Bumper by 7 lengths he has won both his hurdles starts very easily, starting at long odds-on each time. He won´t pay much today, but should not be troubled to concede weight to his two opponents, Apache Jack (Dessie Hughes/ Bryan Cooper) and Very Wood (Noel Meade/ Paul Carberry), who are useful but not up to this standard. Mullins has also withdrawn Mozoltov from the novice chase at 14.00, which leaves Ned Buntline (Meade/ Carberry) with a seemingly easy task.

In the U.K. the top race is the Sussex National over 3 miles 5 furlongs at 15.50 at Plumpton. With very testing ground, this will be quite an ordeal and the 9 runners are basically all plodders. None are very reliable and our two against the field are top-weight Monkerty Tunkerty (Jessica Westwood/ Wayne Kennedy) and Smoking Aces (Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy).venetia Williams has no runners in this race, but has a very good strike rate at Plumpton and could well take the first 4 races with Dubawi Island at 13.50, Brick Red at 14.20, Marcilhac at 14.50 and Mudita Moment half an hour later, all partnered by stable jockey Aidan Coleman. They could even win the handicap chase at 16.20 with Browns Brook, even though this one has never yet finished in the first 5 - although top-weight Overnight Fame (Tom George/ Aodhagan Conlan) looks the more logical selection here.

There is also all-weather racing at Southwell, although frankly we would rather give this meeting a miss. Borough Boy (Derek Shaw/ Dale Swift) is no star, but won over this CD last Monday and might be able to follow up under a penalty oin the 6 furlongs handicap at 14.10; however we prefer Ivestar (Mick Easterby/ Adam Kirby), whose team scored a famous victory at Lingfield yesterday. Otherwise there are mainly very small fields which are totally unsuitable for betting purposes.

Newcastle and Lingfield today

Newcastle now stages the only jumps racing in the U.K. today and with some small fields and heavy ground, the card is not at all punter-friendly. The best horse running here is Rolecarr (Mrs Hamilton/ Graham Watters), who is down in grade and contests the 3 mile handicap chase at 14.40 CET. He acts on the ground and obviously has a good chance in this company, but we wonder if he can concede 24 lbs to Bertie Milan (Neil Alexander/ Brian Harding), who has only ever won once - but that was on heavy, and he is generally consistent enough. Alexander can also take the opening mares novice hurdle with The Flaming Matron, ridden by Diarmuid O´Regan, younger brother to Denis.

The best betting opportunities here in our opinion are the handicap hurdles over 2 3/4 miles at 14.05 and over 2 miles at 15.15. In the former race we like Madam Lillibet (Sharon Watt/ Joseph Palmowski), who loves the ground, won at this meeting last year. and now seems very fairly handicapped. In the latter event, we of course go for the German-bred Lysino (Chris Grant/ Harding); this half-brother to Derby winner Lucky Speed has not really lived up to expectations but ran well over this CD a fortnight ago. He has been put up 4 lbs for that, as has the 4yo Nautical Twilight (Malcolm Jefferson/ Brian Hughes), also runner-up at the same meeting. The other dangers are John Dixon´s Circus Star, who won twice in November but has gone up 17 lbs, and the consistent Sam Lord (Jimmy Moffatt/ Dominic Elsworth), but we hope that Lysino can finally get off the mark over jumps here.

Easily the most valuable race of the day is the 1 1/2 miles handicap on the all-weather at 15.35 at Lingfield, which with 28k GBP to the winner is worth more than most German group races. As a result it is exteremely cpmpettive with all 14 runners in with a chance, although we cannot believe ex-Brazilian Group winner Energia Eros (Marco Botti/ Martin Harley) can win this under top weight on his first start in Europe. Botti´s other runners look more likely, buit our 3 against the field are Castilo Del Dianblo (David Simcock/ Jamie Spencer) - creeping up the weights, but ran very well at Kempton last time, Kashmir Peak (John Quinn/ Martin Lane), amd Shavansky (Rod Millman/ Shelley Birkett) - who goes well for this young jockey. The 6 furlongs handicap which follows at 16.10 looks equally tricky. Perfect Pasture (Mick Easterby/ Adam Kirby) has won 5 races on the trot, but has gone up a massive 35 lbs for his pains and is possibly better suited by 5 furlongs. We will take a chance with Diamond Charlie (Simon Dow/ Andrea Atzeni), who found 7 furlongs too far last time, but ran well over this CD before.

Musselburgh only N.H. racing today

the bad weather continues in many parts of the British Isles, with the South and South-West particularly badly affected. Today´s N.H. card at Lingfield has long since been abandoned, and there could be problems for tomorrow´s high class Sandown fixture.
The Eastern half of Scotland has not been so badly hit so far, and there should no problems for today´s card at Musselburgh, although the going will obviously be soft. Local trainer Lucinda Russell fields a strong team, with runners in all 7 races and we expect her to make the short journey home afterwards with several winners in the bag. Her most interesting runner, in our view, is The Starboard Bow with stable jockey Peter Buchanan, who has top weight in the handicap hurdle at 14.40 CET. He has not run for almost 2 years, but has won over this CD and is very well handicapped on his old form. His most dangerous opponent could be Cadore (Lucy Normile/ Grant Cockbiurn), who meets his CD conqueror Pass Muster (Philip Kirby/ Adam Nicol) on 15 lbs better terms this time. This claimer also rides for Lucinda and can take the 3 miies handicap chase at 16.10 on her Kris Cross, a winner at Ascot in November and a non-runner yesterday at Ayr. That meeting was notable for a double by Irish trainer Stuart Crawford, who is in great form, and he can score again here with Solidago at 15.40; Burns Night is not due for another 3 weeks, but the horse of that name (Kirby/ Nicol) looks the main threat. Lucinda can start a good day for her stable by taking the first two races with Final Assault (Buchanan) at 13.40 and Ballycool (DR Fox) half an hour later.
The most interesting runner at today´s 3 a.w. meetings could be Unscripted (Richard Hannon( Sean Levey), who goes for the 7 furlongs maiden at 18.00 at Wolverhamptpn. He is the first runner for Hannon junior since he took over his father´s stable at the start of the year. Obviously he will be expected to win, but we do not recommend a bet as many punters will think the same, and he will probably start at an artificially short price.

Betting forecast Musselburgh:
1. Race: Katachenko - Empresario - King Of Strings
2. Race: Ballycool - Coax - Civil Unrest
3. Race: Pass Muster - Cadore - The Starboard Bow
4. Race: Reaping The Reward - Jet Master - Witness In Court
5. Race: Solidago - Ryton Runner - Stitched In Time
6. Race: Kris Cross - Rossini`S Dancer - Lively Baron
7. Race: Elfego Baca - Cousin Guillaume - Coozan George

Ayr and Huntingdon both go ahead

there were fears that today´s two N.H. meetings in the U.K.might have to be abandoned following the awful weather this week, but both Ayr and Huntingdon have passed early morning inspections and racing goes ahead.
The going will of course be heavy and these conditions should suit the two German-bred sons of Monsun running in the handicap hurdle at 15.10 CET at Huntingdon, Dawn Twister (Lucy Wadham/ Matt Crawley) and Promised Wings (Chris Gordon/ Tom Cannon). Dawn Twister has been a bit disappointing on his British starts, but we have not forgotten the way he sluiced through the mud to win a listed race at Baden-Baden in 2010 and, in the hope that he will revel in the mud again, we make him the selection. Monsun´s stallion son Shirocco also gets top hurdlers who go well in the heavy, as we saw yesterday with Annie Power, and he has another smart recruit in Mijhaar (John Ferguson/ Denis O´Regan), who runs in the opening novice hurdle here at 13.10. Mijhaar was a good listed performer on the flat for Roger Varian, won his first race over hurdles in excellent style, and looks set for a highly successful career in this new metier. The best race here is the listed mares bumper at 16.10; this looks open with all 8 runners having shown good form, but the most likely winner is Rouquine Sauvage (Tony Honeyball/ Tony McCoy). The card at Ayr is much lower in quality, but the Irish brothers Stuart and Steven Crawwford are always dangerous on their raids on British racecourses, and might just land a treble here with Fine Rightly, a smart bumper horse making his hurdling debut at 13.20, McLovin half an hour later and Trucking Along at 15.50.

Betting forecast Huntingdon:
1. Race: Gunner Fifteen - Steel City - Arthur`s Oak
2. Race: Flemi Two Toes - Tinelyra - Genny Wren
3. Race: Just Benny - Boomtown - Was My Valentine
4. Race: Ringa Bay - Mentalist - Ringa Bay
5. Race: Beauboreen - Arkose - Phare Isle
6. Race: Shubaat - Cloud Creeper - Carole`s Destrier
7. Race: Bitofapuzzle - Rouquine Sauvage - Notnowivorheadache
8. Race: River Deep - Broughtons Warrior - Double U Dot Ede`s

Cheltenham today

today´s meeting at Cheltenham has not only the best card of the day but is also extremely high class with several runners out to stake their claim to a place in the big races here in March. This applies especially to the hurdle race at 16.05 CET - there are only 3 runners here but two of them are among the favourites for the Champion Hurdle - Annie Power (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh) and Zarkandar (Paul Nicholls/ Daryl Jacob). Annie Power - by Shirocco out of a mare who was a Group winner in Germany - is unbeaten in 8 starts; she is Ruby´s only ride of the day, in itself significant, and seems certain to start at odds-on as she has already beaten Zarkandar, when they met at Ascot in November. However Zarkandar is now better off at the weights and has the advantage of a good record here, while Annie Power runs at Cheltenham for the first time. In addition this is bound to be a tactical affair, with the third runner also saddled by Nicholls, so it could be a close thing. Definitely a race to watch rather than to bet on.
There is also a small field for the Grade Two Dipper Novice Chase at 14.30, where the two main protagonists have also already met this season. Taquin diu Seuil (Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy) defeated Oscar Whisky (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty) here in November and is now better off at the weights, but there are still reasons to expect Oscar Whisky, who was by far the better over hurdles, to turn the tables today. Close House (David Pipe/ Paddy Brennan) is also not out of it, as he was still going well when falling in the race won here by Oscar Whisky last time.
The opening novice hurdle at 13.10 is also an extremely interesting affair, with several major prospects on view, including Ballyalton (Ian Williams/ McCoy), who lost a lot of ground at the start last time, but still won and has in fact won 5 of his 6 starts. However we prefer Royal Regatta (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson) and Racing Pulse (John Quinn/ James Reveley), both unbeaten so far.