Thousand Stars to Shine

As usual for a Sunday, the best racing today comes from Ireland and the best horse running today is Thousand Stars (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh) in the Ballsbridge Hurdle over 2 1/4 miles at 15.50 CET at Leopardstown; he is coming off a break and has not won since taking the French Champion Hurdle 21 months ago, but has not faced such poor opposition for ages and it will be a surprise if he cannot win today. He should complete a double for his team, as the Aga Khan-bred Shamsikhan should take the opening maiden hurdle at 15.20.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Shamsikhan - Emperor Of Exmoor - Lilly Of The Moor
2. Race: Midnight Game - Sailors Warn - Busty Brown
3. Race: Bendanella - Gift Of Dgab - Star Of Aragon
4. Race: Moscow Mannon - Mallowney - Mount Colah
5. Race: Double Seven - He`Llberemembered - Daring Article
6. Race: Easy Vic - Down Under - Boss Croaker
7. Race: Aminabad - Never Never - Rockingham Bay