6 more poor meetings today

Mainly poor grade sport again today, with the vast majority of races at class 5 or 6 level. The best card is at Haydock this afternoon - but be warned - there has been heavy overnight rain, leaving the going much softer than forecast and of course with the likelihood of non-runners. The most interesting runner here is Baarez (Roger Varian/ Andrea Atzeni), who has top weight in the 3yo mile handicap at 16.10. He was a non-runner last week and in fact has only run twice, winning a maiden here in October in good style when last seen. He seems to be highly regarded and is expected to be better than a handicapper. Although one would not think so from the name, he is actually out of the Monsun mare Sortita, an own sister to such Germans stars as Samum and Schiaparelli. Lady Cecil also launches a strong raid on Haydock, and has wnining chances at 15.10 with Button Down, at 16.40 with Magic of Reality at 17.40, at 17.10 with Morning Watch and half an hour later with Sea Meets Sky, all of them partnered by Richard Hughes.

The best race at Yarmouth this afternoon is the 6 furlongs handicap at 17.00, where the lightly-raced Foxy Forever (Michael Wigham( Jamie Spencer) is our selection after his encouraging seasonal debut against stronger opposition at Newmarket. That was over 5 furlongs, but he should stay this trip here.

At Kempton this evening, we like Rome (Gary and Ryan Moore) in the 7 furlongs handicap at 21.50; he is still a maiden, but has been placed on all his 6 starts, all of them on the all-weather, and although he cannot be said to be well handicapped, can finally get off the mark today.

The best event at this evening´s Irish meeting at Fairyhouse is the 7 furlongs conditions race at 19.00. Hidden Oasis (David Wachman/ Fran Berry) is the only one of the 6 runners not to have run so far this year, but he is top-rated after showing useful form last season and cannot perhaps defeat his fitter rivals.