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