Ayr and Newbury today

both Newbury (flat racing) and Ayr (N.H.) start a big two day meeting today, but the main races will all be tomorrow. Newbury stages its first flat racing of the year with 3yo´s firmly at the centre of attention. 5 of the 8 races today are restricted to this age group, which is difficult for betting purposes but definitely worth watching fof future reference. The best performers are running in the 10 furlongs race at 16.05 CET, where German-bred Scotland (Andrew Balding/ Jim Crowley), in Fitri Hay´s first colours, may just get the better of Shankly (Clive Cox/ Jamie Spenmcer) - anotjher son of Monsdun, and Western Hymn (John Giosden/ William Buick); he is closely related to Shirocco and could be Balding´s Derby candidate. As far as the two races for older horses arer concerned, we expect a double for the father and son team of Gary and Ryan Moore, with Leo Luna over 2 miles at 15.30 and Dutch Masterpiece over 5 furlongs at 17.55.
Gary Moore could also be on the scorecard over jumps at his local track Fontwell, where his eldest son Jamie partners Fruity O´Rooney in the 2 3/4 mile handicap chase at 16.25, a race he has won for the past 2 seasons.
The jumping is better quality at Ayr but the card consists mainly of very tricky handicaps. Top trainers Paul Nicholls and Nicky Hemnderson both have several runners here, and their best prospects in our opinion are Vicente (Sam Twiston-Davies) for the former at 16.115 and Lieutenant Miller (Barry Geraghty) for the latter at 18.25. James Lambe usually does well here with his raiders from Ulster and Ballybogey (Richard Johnson) and Twin Plan (Tony McCoy) at 17.55, both winners at this meeting last year, are worth an interest.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Sign Of A Victory - Vibrato Valtat - Mister Nibbles
2. Race: Plus Jamais - Just Cameron - Fair Loch
3. Race: Vicente - Ulzana`s Raid - Portway Flyer
4. Race: Headly`S Bridge - Tahiti Pearl - Scotch Warrior
5. Race: Le Bacardy - Back To Balloo - Too Cool To Fool
6. Race: Mickie - Bull And Bush - Golden Sparkle
7. Race: Forward Flight - See Double You - Many Stars