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