5 meetings today

plenty of action today, but mainly at a low level. We have flat racing at Leicester and Redcar, with jumps racing in Scotland at Ayr and in Ireland at Galway and Wexford. There is a listed chase at 16.15 CET at the former track, but the most interesting runner goes for the beginners chase at 15.05 at Galway. This is Very Wood (Noel Meade/ Bryan Cooper), who is making his chasing debut; he was a top novice hurdler last season, winning at the Cheltenham Festival, and if he can jump fences as well as he can sticks he should certainly win this. His trainer also has a chance in Wexford´s main event with Thomond (Paul Carberry), a very easy winner at Listowel, but we have a slight preference for the only mare in the field Pollywollydoodle (Eoin Griffin/ Andrew Lynch), also a last-time-out winner. who gets quite a bit of weight from the other 3 runners. There is also a tiny field for the novice hurdle at 15.15, which looks at the mercy of Draco (Aidan O´Brien/ Robbie Power).
The best race at Ayr is the handicap chase at 16.50, in which all 8 runners can be given a Chance. Our choice is Rowdy Rocher (Lucinda Russell/ Graham Watters); when he won at Perth in August this was only his second start in 3 years, so he has obviously had his problems, but he remains with potential.
Easily the best race on the flat today is the 1 1/2 mile handicap at 16.30 at Leicester. Harris Tweed (William Haggas/ George Baker) was a group horse earlier, but is now coming off a break after running badly in the spring. Blue Rambler (Charlie Appleby/ William Buick) has had an even longer break, but was unbeaten in 4 races when trained in France by André Fabre. The lightly-raced filly Rewaaya (John Gosden/ Paul Hanagan) had won 2 of her 4 starts, including this CD and could be smart, but the handicapper has taken no chances. With question marks over these, we will go for the consistent Fattsota (David O´Meara/ Danny Tudhope), who has solid form at this level and whose stable remains in good form.


Betting forecast Galway:
1. Race: Mumbo Bay - Kolaphos - Egyptian Warrior
2. Race: Captain Canada - The Parishioner - Shesaportrait
3. Race: Black Benny - Protaras - Down Under
4. Race: Little Miss Vic - Silver Sally - Cloudy Rock
5. Race: Daigreen - Pleased As Punch - Roadtotheisland
6. Race: Cassells Rock - Raajih - Battling Boru
7. Race: Russian Bill - Tycoon Prince - Theatre Flame