Plenty of racing today

With all 3 British meetings over jumps going ahead, plus N.H. racing from Ireland at Fairyhouse, and 2 all-weather meetings, punters are spoilt for choice today, although it must be said that the races do not look easy with very heavy ground and some very small fields, with plenty of non-runners.

There are only 3 runners in the day´s top race, the Grade One Scilly Isles novice chase over 2 1/2 miles at 15.25 CET at Sandown. Small field novice chases on heavy ground do not make the ideal betting medium, but even so, it will be a shock if Oscar Whisky (Nicky Henderson/ barry Geraghty) fails to win here. He has a stone in hand on official ratings, was easily the best of these over hurdles (third in the 2011 Champion Hurdle) and has made a satisfactory start to his chasing career. We also like Pistol (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson) in the opener here at 14.15, where Saroque (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman) looks the main danger, and the latter´s team can score with Relax at 16.35 and Last Shot at 17.10.

Two valuable handicaps are the main features at Ffos Las,. the Welsh Champion Hurdle at 15.05 and the West Wales Grand National at 15.40. Both looki very tricky, even thoigh there atrr only 7 runners in the former Event. Saphir du Rheu (Paul Nicholls/ Harry Derham) is clearly very smart and has won his last 2 races in excellent style; however he has been severely trrated by the handicapper and we are dubious about his scoring off this huge weight. German-bred Home Run (David Pipe/ Kierton Edgar) and Whisper (Henderson/ Andrew Tinkler) finished well behind him at Sandown two months ago, but meet him on much better terms now and can gain revenge. We shall take a chance with Home Run, even though he out of the handicap, as this close relation to Hurricane Run will love the ground. Junior (Pipe/ Conor O´Farrell) has top weight in the National, but is certainly not out of it, as he is well handicapped on earlier form; however this is wide open, although we cannot believe that Moujntainous (Richard Lee/ Pauil Molomey) will follow up his Welsh Grand Natioinal win under 12 löbs extra.

Tony McCoy is at Wetherby today. mainly to ride Jonjo O´Neill´s Shutthefrontdoor in the Grade Two novice chase at 16.20. It is not certain that he will stay today´s trip of 3 miles 1 furlong in these testing conditions, but he is the best horse in the field and should win. Consistent Green Flag (Lucinda Russell/ Peter Buchansn) looks the safest alternative. Sue Smith rarely leaves this track without a winner and we expect her No Planning (Ryan Mania) toi take the handicap chase at 15.10. The all-weather racing is less exciting, but two we like at Lingfield are Mia´s Boy (Chris Dwyer/ Robert Tart) at 15.55 and Sea Soldier (Andrew Balding/ Rob Hornby) at 17.05.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Pistol - Spanish Arch - Saroque
2. Race: Desert Cry - Eastlake - Pepite Rose
3. Race: Benvolio - Manyriverstocross - Benvolio
4. Race: Tatenen - Fine Parchment - Aachen
5. Race: Pete The Feat - Ardkilly Witness - Roalco De Farges
6. Race: Last Shot - Un Anjou - Sew On Target