Grade One at Sandown today

Despite the continued bad weather, all racing is on today, although the going at Ffos Las (for the West Wales Grand National and Welsh Champion Hurdle), at Wetherby (for a graded novice chase) and at Fairyhouse in Ireland will be very testing. However it should not be too bad at the main meeting at Sandown, where the top race is the Grade One novice chase over 2 1/ 2miles at 15.25 CET. Even with only 5 runners, this is a strong field and none of them can be discounted. Splash of Ginge (Nigel Twiston-Davies/ Ryan Hatch) is actually top-rated here but we prefer Irish Saint (Paul Nicholls/ Sam T-D),who looks very promising; the two of them met in the Betfair Hurdle last year, which the Splash won, but Irish Saint- who can give his trainer yet another big Saturday winner- was not beaten far and is much better off at the weights. Willie Mullins has an amazing strike rate in the big Irish jumps races, but has not done so well so far in the U.K. this season; however his mare Gitane du Berlais (Daryl Jacob) looks very dangerous in receipt of all the allowances and won her first chase, at Limerick´s Christmas Meeting, in very good style.

There is an even smaller field for ther listed hurdle race at 14.15, but 3 of the 4 runners are very smart and all booked for Cjheltenham in five weeks time. Garde la Victoire (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson) is going for the Champion Hurdle, but may find it tough to 11 lbs to Bristol de Mai (Nigel TD/ Jacob), who made an impressive U.K. debut at Chepstow and is only 8-1 for the Triumph Hurdle. Jollyallan (Harry Fry/ AP McCoy) is up in grade here, but is unbeaten in 3 races over sticks and certainly not out of it.

Sandown - betting forecast:
1. Race: Pain Au Chocolat - The Saint James - Old Guard
2. Race: Bristol De Mai - Jollyallan - Garde La Victoire
3. Race: Ballygarvey - French Opera - Brick Red
4. Race: Champagne West - Irish Saint - Splash Of Ginge
5. Race: Polamco - Saffron Wells - Junction Fourteen
6. Race: Theatrical Star - Bennys Mist - There`S No Panic
7. Race: Aigle De La See - Derrintogher Bliss - Monbeg Theatre

4 poor meetings today

with Catterick off, we are left with four poor cards today and as the 3 all-weather tracks offer very little of interest, we shall concentrate on the jumps card at Chepstow, although the very heavy going will make it difficult for horses and riders and tricky for punters. The best thing of the day is Sail by the Sea (David Pipe/ Tom Scudamore) in the novice chase at 14.50 CET. He showed decent form over hurdles and made a good chasing debut when thitrd to two smatrt types at Plumpton. He actually started favourite for that race, and there is nothing in today´s field that should bother him unduly, though he will be a very short price. In the opening novice hurdle at 14.20, we like Royal Redemption (Charlie Mann/ Noel Fehily), runner-up on both his starts so far, while the best betting race is the handicap hurdle at 16.30 with 15 runners. Our eye is caught by two very lightly-raced types, Queen´s Star (Andrew Balding/ Tom O´Brien) and Albert d´Olivate (Robert Walford/ Daryl Jacob), and they could well turn out to be better than this grade, but Garde Fou (Paul Henderson/ Nick Scholfield) is arguably the form choice, having run well here before. Coolmore-owned Bandit Country (Jonjo O´Neill/ AP McCoy) has been placed on his last 5 outings, but was always well beaten and may not enjoy going as heavy as this. McCoy´s best chance is possibly German-bred Amber Gambler, from a good Auenquelle family, in the bumper at 17.35 for Rebecca Curtis. Fourovakind (Hugh Whittington/ Michael Byrne) has a good record here and could be the answer to the handicap chase at 17.05.

Catterick OFF, Chepstow ON

after early morning inspections, today´s meeting at Catterick has been abandoned because of frost and snow, but Chepstow goes ahead, although the ground will be very testing. There is still snow about but there are expected to be no problems with the 3 all-weather meetings, at Lingfield and Wolverhampton in the U.K. and Dundalk in Ireland.

two Group Twos at Meydan

there are 5 ,meetings in the U.K.and Ireland today, three of them over jumps, but by far the best racing of the day comes from Meydan, where there are two Group Two races, both on turf, plus 5 handicaps. The Cape Verdi for fillies at 17.30 CET has a rather substandard field for a race of this value, with surprisingly no runners from the top Godolphin or Mike de Kock stables. In their absense it could go to French-trained but German-bred and -owned Cladocera (Alain de Royer-Dupre/ Christophe Soumillon), who is really just a smart listed performer but could still score here. The Al Rashidiya at 18.40 has a much stronger field, headed by Vercingetprix (de Kock/ Soumillon) a Group One winner over this CD last year and runner-up in the Dubai Duty Free to Just a Way, rated the best horse in the world. If he is back to form after his break, he should win here but he faces a serious opponent in True Story (Saeed bin Suroor/ James Doyle), an impressive winner here 3 weeks ago.
The best card at home is at Wincanton, where Paul Nicholls usually does well at his locyl travck; he has 2 runners in his own race, a handicap hurdle at 16.40, Rothman (Sam Twiston-Davies) and Earthmoves (Nick Scholfield); the former is a bit of a dark horse, but normally the latter has the better chance on form, with Blue Buttons (Harry Fry/ Gary Derwin), who beat Earthmoves here last time but is now worse off, the obvious danger. Nicholls can also take the other valuable handicap here., a chase over the same distance of 2 1/2 miles at 16.10, with the lighly-raced Atlantic Roller (ST-D), where Cloudy Bob (Pat Murphy/ Jamie Moore) could be the main threat.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Not A Given - I`m Back - Storm Belt
2. Race: Banaadeer - Lancelot Du Lac - Fountain Of Youth
3. Race: Filfil - Alareef - Pit Stop
4. Race: Cladocera - Oh Star - Energia Fribby
5. Race: Another Party - Free Wheeling - United Color
6. Race: Vercingetorix - True Story - Sanshaawes
7. Race: Haafaguinea - Almoonqith - Mushreq

Newcastle and Leicester

two low level jumps meetings today, at Newcastle and Leicester, and two more on the all-weather at Chelmsford and Kempton (evening). The most interesting race over jumps is the novice hurdle that opens the card at 14.50 CET at Newcastle, where easy last-time-out winners Fascino Rustico (Dan and Harry Skelton) and Zip Top (John Ferguson/ AP McCoy) should fight out the finish despite their 7 lbs penalty. Both are very promising types that look as if they are going places, and we give slight preference to Zip Top, who finished runner-up to Camelot in the 2011 Racing Post Trophy and can profit from his superior flat ability. McCoy´s only other mount here is the unraced Monsun gelding High Bridge, also for Ferguson, in the bumper at 17.20 and this one must also be respected. Another team that might land a double is Michael and Tom Scudamore, who can take the 15.20 with No Through Road (raised no less than 42 lbs after winning 5 of his last 6 starts but still likely to continue his winning run) and Dan Emmett at 16.50. It has been raining at Newcadstle, but we hope it stops soon, as our fancy, the German-bred Amore Mio (Lucinda Russell/ Ryan Nichol), would not want it too heavy; his young jockey is still a maiden but has been well taught.

At Leicester, the handicap hurdle at 16.30 looks tricky, with all 6 runners holding a chance; Seven Summits (Sophie Leech/ Paul Moloney), another runner with a top flat pedigree, looks nicely weighted here, and as his trainer had a winner yesterday, perhaps he can follow up. The handicap chase over the same trip of 2 1/2 miles half an hour later looks equally open; Tafika (Paul Webber/ Charlie Poste) is relatively lightly-raced for his age, was runner-up on both his 2014 starts and can possibly go one better now.

The best race on the all-weather is the 6 furlongs handicap at 16.10. Although the track only reopened a fortnight ago, Guishan (Mike Appleby/ Liam Jones) is already a CD winner and has a good chance under a fixed 6 lbs penalty. However Pretend (Charlie Appleby - no relation/ Adam Kirby) looks different class to these and should win. He won twice over 5 furlongs at Wolverhampton in December but should have no problem with the extra furlong here.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Fascino Rustico - Zip Top - Delta Forty
2. Race: No Through Road - Silverton - Little Glenshee
3. Race: Macgillycuddy - Whichwaytobougie - Amore Mio
4. Race: Up And Go - Scimon Templar - Cobajayisland
5. Race: Dan Emmett - Lovely Job - Gilnockie
6. Race: High Bridge - Mahler Lad - Corsair Prince

Taunton today

Only two meetings in the U.K. today, a very poor all-weather card at Southwell and a jumping fixture at Taunton. In our opinjon the most interesting races at the Somerset track are the two divisions of the novice hurdle over 3 miles 1 furlong, the first of which at 15.00 CET sees the hottest favourite of the day - Kingfisher Creek (Colin Tizzard/ Brendan Powell), who was runner-up the smart Aso last time, after winning here earlier. Although , as the only winner in the field, he has to concede 6 lbs all round, he looks very hard to beat here. The second division half an hour later is more open, but there are two interesting ex-German runners here- Floresco (Robert Woollacott/ Daryl Jacob), who has already run respectably twice over hurdles, and Lac Leman (Paul Nicholls/ Sam Twiston-Davies), making his debut over sticks. He was decent on the flat, just touched off in the Slovakian Derby (not the world´s greatest classic) and is now in the right hands, so we hope he makes a winning debut.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Aroseforoscar - Flugzeug - Dancing Solo
2. Race: Kingfisher Creek - For `n` Against - Barneby
3. Race: Floresco - Lac Leman - Polo
4. Race: Big Casino - Regal Flow - Sun Wild Life
5. Race: Hawkhill - Box Office - Raven`s Tower
6. Race: Milosam - Dan`s Wee Man - Copper Birch
7. Race: Capilla - Un Bleu A L`aam - Ivanhoe

back to normal fare

after the excitements of the weekend, it´s back to normal today with low level jumping from Ludlow and Plumpton and even worse flat racing from the all-weather track at Wolverhampton. Ludlow has the better of the two jumps cards, and there are a couple of decent 4yo´s in the opening juvenile hurdle at 14.45 CET: Arabian Revolution (John Ferguson/ Noel Fehily) and Cape Caster (Evan Williams/ Paul Moloney). Both won well last time and despite carrying 7 lbs more than the others, they should have this race between them, with slight preference for the Ferguson runner, as this stable continues to operate with an excellent strike rate. The final maiden hurdle at 17.20 also looks a two-horse race: One for the Guv´nr (Nicky Henderson/ David Bass) and Seven Nation Army (Tom George/ Paddy Brennan) were both useful bumper horses who were good runners-up on their hurdling debuts and they will not stay maidens for long. German-bred Northern Bay has an each-way chance in the amateur riders hurdle at 16.20 despite his rider´s inexperience.

The most interesting runner at Plumpton also has a German background, Keys (Tony Carroll/ Daryl Jacob), whose dam was German; he was a very promising horse for Henderson a few years back, but has now been off the track for almost 3 years. Obviously this was not by design, but if he is anywhere near his old form he should take the opening maiden hurdle at 15.00, where Stars Royale (Nick Gifford/ Tom Cannon) is the main danger.
Charlie Appleby is another trainer operating at a good strike rate at present, and he can land a 3yo double for Godolphin at Wolverhampton with Regards (Shane Gray) in the maiden at 17.10 and then in the 3yo handicap at 18.40, where he saddles 2 of the 3 runners.

Betting forecast Ludlow:
1. Race: Arabian Revolution - Cape Caster - Sebastian Beach
2. Race: Forgivienne - Annaluna - Iron Butterfly
3. Race: Call Me Vic - Lookslikerainted - The Musical Guy
4. Race: Aristocracy - Grimley Girl - Anton Dolin
5. Race: Topthorn - Midnight Chorister - Until Winning
6. Race: Seven Nation Army - One For The Guv`nr - Arthamint

Hurricane Fly vs Jezki, round 7

A fascinating race is in prospect for the Irish Champion Hurdle this afternoon at 15.45 CET at Leopardstown, which sees the two best hurdlers in training, Hurricane Fly (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh) and Jezki (Jessica Harrington/ Tony McCoy) face each other for the seventh time in just over a year. Jezki won the championship races at Cheltenham and Punchestown, but otherwise the Fly has won 4 of these matches and is the likely favourite today. He is unbeaten in 9 races here, including this race for the past 4 years, and in all has won 21 Grade One races, an amazing record. This race is almost a rerun of the Ryanair Hurdle over this CD 4 weeks ago, in which Hurricane Fly defeated Jezki half a length, with German-bred Arctic Fire (Mullins/ Paul Townend) a close third, Plinth (Aidan O´Brien/ Robbie Power) fourth and Tiger Roll (Gordon Elliott/ Bryan Cooper) fifth. The only one of today´s runners not in that field is Fiscal Focus (Des McDonough/ Mikey Fogarty), who as a 4yo receives lots of weight from the others. He won his only start in good style and was a useful horse on the flat, but it is hard to imagine a 4yo with so little experience troubling the big two. Hurricane Fly seems as good as ever at the age of11, but he needs really soft ground these days, and Jezki could possibly turn the tables this time, while Mullins has stated that he expects Arctic Fire, a son of Soldier Hollow out of a Sternkönig mare, to run a big race. It will be a tactical affair, with Plnth probably setting the pace for his owner´s Jezki, and if the ground continues to dry out, we expect Jezki to win, with Arctic Fire a very interesting alternative, but we shall be equally delighted to see Hurricane Fly win again and improve his already fantastic record.

Two other graded races on the card could make this a red letter day for Willie Mullins, whih mkight win all three. His exciting Un De Sceaux (Waölsh) should win the novice chase at 14.40, but this headstrong character is always capable of being his own worst enemy, and possibly Clarcam (Elliott/ Cooper) can take advantage of his weight allowance, while the unbeaten Gilgamboa (EndaBolger/ McCoyxy) is also not oiut of it. In the novice hurdle at 16.15 Mullins saddles 3 of the 8 runners, with Walsh on Killultagh Vic, but No More Heroes (Elliott/ Cooper) is the form horse here, while Windsor Park (Dermot Weld/ Davy Russell) is a danger to all.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Uncle Danny - Utmost Zeal - Gladiator King
2. Race: Un De Sceaux - Gilgamboa - Clarcam
3. Race: Champagne James - Golden Ticket - Paddy O Dee
4. Race: Hurricane Fly - Jezki - Arctic Fire
5. Race: No More Heroes - Windsor Park - Killultagh Vic
6. Race: Heathfield - Down Under - Kilcrea
7. Race: Fugi Mountain - Robin Thyme - Catalaunian Fields

Cheltenham Trials Day

Cheltenham stages its traditional Trials Day today and there is no doubt that several of these races will have a strong bearing on events here at the Festival in just over 6 weeks time.

We start off with the Triumph Hurdle Trial at 13.40 CET and clearly the one to beat is Peace and Co (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty), a spectacular winner of his only British start and clear favourite for the real thing. He is likely to win today but is not a good bet at the likely odds and we prefer to go for a longshot here, Zarib (Dan and Harry Skelton), who also won his only hurdles start in good style and will be at a much more attractive price. It could be a big day for the Skelton brothers, who also have Value at Risk in the novice hurdle at 16.00; like most of the runners here (and also in the Triumph Trial) he is up in grade here, but he was an excellent bumper Performer and was also a good winner of his only race over sticks. He should win, although the more experienced Present View (Jamie Snowden/ Brendan Powell), who has a good record here, including over fences, looks a major threat.

Top hurdlers line up for the Cleeve Hurdle over 3 miles at 16.35, but the interesting one here is Saphir Du Rheu (Paul Nicholls/ Sam Twiston-Davies), who has been chasing; the stable are attempting to do the same trick here as with the same owner´s Big Bucks, who became the champion staying hurdler after failing to cut the mustard over fences. Incidentally, his half-brother Ibis du Rheu (Nicholls/ STD) runs in the Triumph Trial and is racing for the first time in the U.K. but is also not without a chance. Many of the hurdlers running today are ex-French, and Un Temps Pour Tous (David PIpe/ Tom Scudamore) could be the Cleeve danger. In any case we hope that Pipe and Scu can take the fourth hiurdles race on the Card, a handicapo at 17.10 with Dell´Arca, who has a German pedigree and is now running over his best distance.

The big steeplechase is the Betbright Cup at 14.50, a Gold Cup Trial. Pipe and Scu also have a great chance here with Dynaste, who won the Ryanair last year and was more recently runner-up in the ;King George; this trip is possibly stretching him, but he is top-rated and has an exvcellent record at Cheltenham. The Giant Bolster, another runner with a German pedigree, could be the danger; he won this race last year and has also run well in the last 3 Gold Cups, although he never seems to show this form anywhere else.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Karezak - Ibis Du Rheu - Bivouac
2. Race: Stellar Notion - Black River - Mosspark
3. Race: Dynaste - Many Clouds - Smad Place
4. Race: Easter Day - Sew On Target - Walkon
5. Race: Value At Risk - Present View - Vago Collonges
6. Race: Saphir Du Rheu - Un Temps Pour Tout - Reve De Sivola
7. Race: Kiama Bay - Diamond King - Royal Irish Hussar

still 5 meetings left

even after the abandonment of Huntingdon, there ae still 5 meetings on today, two of them over jumps - at Doncaster and Ayr. Doncaster has the better card and most of the top jockeys will be riding there. AP McCoy and Barry Geraghty - both in action in Ireland yesterday- go head to head in several races, notably in the novice hurdle at 14.05 CET, where their mounts John Ferguson´s Buckwheat and Nicky Henderson´s Days of Heaven, both easy last-time.out winners, should dominate. We prefer Buckwheat, who was a listed winner on the flat for André Fabre and whose trainer continues to top form with these ex-flat runners over sticks. Geraghty can gain his revenge at 15.15, when Rebecca Curtis´Red devil Lads can hget the better of McCoy´s American legend (Jonjo O´Neill). Geraghty can also take the final maiden hurdle at 16.50 on Henderson´s Clondaw Banker, where McCoy rides Curtis´ Vintage Vinnie who looks the main denger.

Henderson can also be on the scorecard at Ayr; he sends just one runner to the Scottish track, Quiet Candid (Jerry McGrath) in the novice hurdle at 14.45 and he should be could enough. Another making the long journey to Ayr is N. Irish trainer Stuart Crawford, who has several runners; Fine Rightly (Davy Russell) in the novice handicap chase at 16.25 probably has the best chance.

The best race at today´s 3 all-weather tracks is the 7 furlongs handicap at 16.10 at Lingfield. This looks wide open, but obviously a.w. specialist Grey Mirage (Marco Botti/ Martin Harley) should be involved in the finish, but we just prefer the mare Fashion Line (Michael Bell/ Hayley Turner), runner-up over this CD a fortnight ago.

Betting forecast Doncaster:
1. Race: Shantou Magic - Leo Luna - Audacious Plan
2. Race: Days Of Heaven - Buckwheat - Charlie Breekie
3. Race: Madrasa - Back By Midnight - Baraboy
4. Race: Purcell`S Bridge - Red Devil Lads - Achimota
5. Race: Steel Summit - Velvet Cognac - Spookydooky
6. Race: Big George - Ergo Sum - Crown And Glory
7. Race: Clondaw Banker - Emperor Commodos - Vintage Vinnie

Gowran Park today

both U.K.jumps meetings have been given the green light today after early morning inspections, but the card at Fakenham, with small fields of moderate horses, is unattractive, while Warwick is slightly more interesting (and for lovers of outsiders we recommend Kate Buckett´s 12yo Upham Atom at 15.50 CET) but not a patch on a high class card in Ireland, where Gowran Park stages one of its best fixtures of the year, featuring the valuable Thyestes Chase over 3 miles 1 furlong at 16.15. With 17 runners, this is obvjously very tricky, and not made easier by the fact that leading owners JP McManus and Gigginstown has 3 runners each, with the stable jockeys choosing Groody Hill (Christy Roche/ McCoy) and Make a Track (Charlie Swan/ Bryan Cooper) respectively. However this would not be the first time that jockeys have chosen wrong, and we actually prefer Sword Fish (Roche/ Alan Crowe) and Ipsos du Berlais (Noel Meade/ Ger Fox); however our two against the field are Sadler´sflaure (Jessica Harrington/ Davy Russell) and Goonyella (Jim Dreaper/ Jonathan Burke), although to be honest any of the 17 could win.Dkadam (Willie Mullins/ Riuby Walsh) is the likely favourite despite top weight, and we feel that her has too much weight over a distance where he is still unporoven. However the Mullins/ Walsh team could still have a profitable afternoon and can take the Grade Two 3 mile Galmay Hurdle at 15.15 with Briar Hill (although logically he should not beat Monksland here, who finished best of these last time in the Christmas Hurdle but who must be in danger of bouncing)
as well as scoring with Dicosimo at 14.15, Royal caviar half an hour later and Upsie at 16.45

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Prussian Eagle - Dicosimo - Thunder Zone
2. Race: Royal Caviar - Cliff House - Lahaag
3. Race: Briar Hill - Zaidpour - Monksland
4. Race: High Expectations - Railway Tommy - Maguire`s Glen
5. Race: Djakadam - Gallant Oscar - Sadler`sflaure
6. Race: Smashing - Upsie - Asitsohappens
7. Race: Rio Treasure - Shady Rondo - Ballybryan

full programme today

the weather has improved slightly, and so we have a full programme today, with jumps racing in the U.K. at Ayr and Catterick and in Ireland at Fairyhouse, with all-weather flat racing from Lingfield and Kempton (late start).
Obviously the going will be very testing at the jumps meetings and there are some quite small fields at the two British fixtures., including 3 runners in the novice chases at both meetings. The Last Samuri (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire) is clear best on ratings at 15.20 CET at Ayr, but with her stable in such good form we prefer Lucinda Russell´s Island Heights (Craig Nicol). Russell could have quite a profitable afternoon and we like several of her runners, notably German-bred Amore Mio (Peter Buchansn) at 16.55.
A German-bred we like at Catterick is Local Hero (Steve Gollings/ AP McCoy) in the handicap hurdle at 15.40. He has not won for ages but is now down to his lowest rating in a long time, and may have most to fear from another seemingly well-handicapped runner Conquisto (Brian Ellison/ Craig Gallagher).
There is also a runner with an interesting German pedigree at Fairyhouse, Mr. Lando, (Gordon Elliott/ Colin Bolger) at 15.15. He is difficult to fancy on form, but this is another stable having an excellent season.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Trust Thomas - Premier Grand Cru - Amethyst Rose
2. Race: Streets Of Promise - Just For Pleasure - Megamike
3. Race: Westend Star - Grande Antarctique - Present Flight
4. Race: Island Heights - Finaghy Ayr - Island Heights
5. Race: Cango - Markem - Too Cool To Fool
6. Race: Sharney Sike - Chavoy - No Through Road
7. Race: Kilkenny Kim - Amore Mio - Cape Arrow

Wetherby and Southwell

The best thing of the day is Devilment (John Ferguson/ AP McCoy) in the 4yo maiden hurdle that opens the card at Wetherby at 13.35 CET, but he is unlikely to be at a working man´s price. McCoy´s other booked ride, Richard Guest´s Montaff in the following handicap hurdle will be at much longer odds and could be a more interesting bet. With Sue Smith back in form, her Fill The Power (Dougie Costello) must have a chance in the handicap chase at 15.45, while the latest form of Ozzy Thomas (Henry Oliver/ Kieran Edgar) has been boosted since and a repetition would see him go close at 16.15. In the final handicap hurdle at 16.50 Frank N Fair (Zoe and Gemma Davison) can follow up her win at Bangor; that was a pretty awful race, but so is this.

Southwell stages 2 decent handicaps, over 5 furlongs at 15.30 and over 1 1/2 miles at 16.05. The former race should mainly concern the 3 recent winners and our preference is for Scarborough (Mike Appleby/ Luke Morris), penalised 6 lbs for a comfortable win over this CD last week.

Bangor abandoned

Today´s meeting at Bangor has been abandoned because of frost, while there will be another inspection later to see if Exeter can go ahead. If Exeter is on, we expect Lizzie Kelly to continue her good run on horses owned by her mother and trained by her stepfather Nick Williams with Queen of the Stage in the mares handicap hurdle at 15.50 CET. She is much improved and has won her last two races; although she has to concede weight all round here, the opposition does not look up to much. The meeting can also feature a double for jockey Sam Twiston-Davies, on Paul Nicholls´ French import Qualando at 14.20 and his father´s Winged Crusader an hour later.

If Exeter is off, the only racing left would be the low-level all-weather card at Wolverhampton. The best race here is the fillies handicap over 9 1/2 furlongs at 16.40, in which all 5 runners are 4yo´s. Persona Grata (Ed Walker/ Danny Tudhope) is the obvious favourite; after winning her first 3 races, all here, she went under by a short head last time over this CD to a better Godolphin runner who has won again since. Topweight Uchenna (David Simcock/ Jim Crowley) has top weight here after running in better races last season; she is out of a smart German mare by Acatenango and despite coming off a break of 6 months, looks the most lilkely danger.

Top handicaps at Leopardstown

as usual, the best Sunday racing comes from Ireland, where there is a strong card at Leopardstown, but unfortunately only 3 runners in the main event, a Grade Two novice chase at 14.50 where Vautour (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh) has scared off most of the opposition. He went down to a sensational 4-1 on defeat here at Christmas, but that was possibly an aberration after 6 successive victories, including a Grade One novice hurdle here and also at the Cheltenham Festival. We cannot see him losing here, with Real Steel (Mouse Morris/ Bryan Cooper), well behind him last time, booked for second spot.

Otherwise two big handicaps head the Irish card, over fences at 15.20 and over sticks half an hour later, both with big fields and looking very tricky indeed. In the former race, the two top-weights ex-German Marito and Foxrock are very smart performers, but we feel they are weighted out of it; Byerley Babe (Robert Tyner/ AP McCoy) has a chance, as does the lightly weighted Federici (Enda Bolger/ Nina Carberry), but we go for last year´s winner He´llberemembered (PG Fahey/ Jonathan Brurke), who is this time only 2 lbs higher, having only won over hurdles in the meantime. JPM;cManus has 4 runners in the hurdles race. with McCoy on Nicky Henderson´s Snake Eyes, 6th here last year and a cosy winner of his only race since at Sandown in early December. However the key race could be the similar evenmt herer at the Christmas Meeting, won by Shantou Ed, with Roch the World second,Rightdownthemiddle 4th and Draco (Aidan O´Brien/ Davy Russell) 5th. At the revised weights we select Draco, even thoiugh he is wearing the owner´s third colours.

The only racing in the U.K. is the all-weather fixture at Kempton, where the conditions race over 6 furlongs at 16.35 is the main feature, again with a very small field. Tarooq (David Barron/ Graham Gibbons) has top weight here, after winning a listed race at Lingfield a year ago, but his recent form is less exciting and we cannot see him conceding the weight to the mare Hallelujah (James Fanshawe/ Hayley Turner). The dark horse here is French raider Happy Valentine (Alain de Royer-Dupré/ Joe Fanning), a top 2yo in her native South Africa but not seen out for 18 months.

The New One at Haydock

Another star - and potential Cheltenham championship winner - running today is The New One (Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies) who goes for the Champion Hurdle Trial at 15.05 CET at Haydock. He is second favourite for the big race and clearly the main British hope and in theory cannot lose here. Bertimont (Dan and Harry Skelton) was well behind him at Cheltenham last time, and we are not convinced by Desert Cry (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire) on this ground, so Irish raider Strongpoint (Stuart Crawford/ Peter Buchanan) could possibly finish runner-up.

The big betting race here is the Peter Marsh Chase over an extended 3 miles at 16.15; this will be an exhausting affair on the going and specialists will have an advantage, so we choose Vintage Star (Sue Smith/ Barry Hughes), runner-up last year under similar conditions and now better off at the weights.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Milansbar - Kingswell Theatre - Araldur
2. Race: Close Touch - Colour Squadron - Cogry
3. Race: Kiama Bay - Aso - Kingfisher Creek
4. Race: Bertimont - Desert Cry - Strongpoint
5. Race: Carraig Mor - Third Intention - Mwaleshi
6. Race: Benbens - Shangani - Corrin Wood
7. Race: Subtle Grey - One For Arthur - Uncle Tone

Sprinter Sacre returns at Ascot

Sprinter Sacre (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty), officially rated the best chaser in training, makes his comeback today in the Grade One chase over 2 miles 1 furlong at 16.00 CET at Ascot. He had won 14 of his 17 races, including this one, when it was run at Cheltenham in 2013, and the Champion Chase, and on those pieces of form is unbeatable here. However there is a snag; he has not run since being pulled up with a heart tremor at Kempton 13 months ago; Connections now seem optimistic that he has fully recovered and is nearing his best form again, in which case he should win easily, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and we won´t know for sure until he actually runs. Obviously the jockey will be under instructions not to give him a hard race and to pull him up if any problem surfaces, but we feel that this is factored into the price and regard him as a decent bet at evens or better. Should he for any reason fail to win, the last-time-out Grade One winners Dodging Bullets (PaulNicholls/ Noel Fehily) and Twinlight (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh) are the two most likely to take advantage.

The Grade Two mares hurdle over 3 miles at 14.50 is the main supporting feature, and Carole´s Spirit (Robert Walford/ Daryl Jacob), runner-up last year, could go one better despite top weight. However we feel that Land of Vic (Peter Bowen/ Donal Devereux) could be a huge danger in receipt of 5 lbs.

The big betting race here is the handicap chase at 16.35, where Venetia Williams saddles both the likely favourites Niceonefrankie (Aidan Coleman) and Tenor Nivernais (Peter Scudamore); however the former 2 from 2 at Ascot, is no longer so well handicapped, while the latter does not convince us. We shall go for the longshots Rebel Rebellion (Paul Nicholls/ Jack Sherwood) and Ackertac (Tim Vaughan/ Richard Johnson). We alsolike German-bred Lyvius (Henderson/ Geraghty) in the handicap hurdle at 15.25, although we hope that the going is not too soft for the Paolini gelding, a half-brother to Lucky Speed.

more poor racing today

with Chepstow abandoned, we have another very poor programme again today, with Musselburgh hosting the only juimps racing, and 3 low level all-weather cards as backup, with some very small fields. Very few of the runnersat the Scottish track know how to win a race, so we make Thankyou Very Much (Jamie Bethell/ Joe Colliver) our best bet of the day in the mares novice hurdle at 14.40 CET; she won last time over hurdles over this CD and has also scored on the flat. She has to concede 6 lbs to the other runners, of whom Samedi Soir (Kerith and James Reveley) looks the best, but she should be up to the task. The Reveleys can however score with Brave Spartacus half an hour earlier while Streets Of Newyork (Brian Ellison/ Danny Cook), although raised 5 lbs for finishing second at Wetherby on Boxing Day, is our choice for the handicap hurdle at 15.10.

There are only 3 runners in the main event at Lingfield, a conditions race over 1 1/ 2 miles at 15.55, which looks at the mercy of Anglophile (Charlie Appleby/ Adam Kirby), while course specialist Solar Deity (Marco Botti/ Martin Harley) is another likely odds-on winner in the conditions race this evening at 18.15 at Wolverhampton.

Betting forecast Musselburgh:
1. Race: Trouble In Paris - The Shrimp - Just Awake
2. Race: Brave Spartacus - Aristo Du Plessis - Lochnell
3. Race: Tara Mac - Thankyou Very Much - Samedi Soir
4. Race: It`s High Time - Teo Vivo - Avidity
5. Race: Quito Du Tresor - Riskier - Habbie Simpson
6. Race: Allez Cool - Full Jack - Snapping Turtle
7. Race: Jessie Pinkman - Benny`s Secret - Mr Witmore

graded races in Ireland today

all meetings go ahead in the U.K. and Ireland today, which is good news, although obviously the going will be very soft/ heavy all over.
Easily the best card is in Ireland, where the Grade Two Kinloch Brae Chase over 2 1/ 2 miles at 15.45 CET is the main feature. Even with only 4 runners, one of whom can only win if all the others fall over, this is a fascinating race, pitching two leading Cheltenham fancies Don Cossack (Gordon Elliott/ Bryan Cooper) and Champagne Fever (Wllie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh) against last year´s winner Texas Jack (Noel Meade/ Paul Carberry). German-bred Don Cossack is in the form of his life and is unbeaten in 3 starts this year (including against Texas Jaclk), but we are not sure that he can give weight to Champagne Fever, who clearly failed to stay 3 miles in the King George on Boxing Day and could find this distance ideal. The Mullins/Walsh/ Ricci team can complete a quick double half an hour later in the Grade Two Mares novice chase with Vroum Vroum Mag, very easy winner of both her starts in Ireland; she is up against better opposition this time but should be up to the task. Mullins can also take the novice hurdle at 14.35, where he has 2 runners, both owned by Gigginstown, which means that Bryan Cooper rides the first choice Milsean. Mullins can complete a good day´s work by taking the hunters chase at 17.15 with Prince de Beauchene, partnered by son Paddy.
In the U.K. there is jumping at Market Rasen, Ludlow and Wincanton, while there is all-weather racing this evening at Wolvehampton, but all at a lower level. Top class racing of course comes from Meydan on the second day of the Dubai World Cup Carnival. Main events are the trials for the UAE 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas at 15.45 and 17.30, which can both be won by the Godolphin team of trainer Saeed bin Suroor and jockey James Doyle on Local Time and Maftool respectively. The handicaps look very tricky, but keep an eye on Knavery (Simon Crisford/ Oisin Murphy) at 16.55, the first ever runner for the ex-Maktoum racing manager.


Betting forecast:
1. Race: Baily Cloud - Zafayan - Battle Hymn
2. Race: Measureofmydreams - Killultagh Sarah - Oscar`swan
3. Race: Horendus Hulabaloo - Knocklong - Golden Plan
4. Race: Champagne Fever - Texas Jack - Smokey Joe Joe
5. Race: Jennies Jewel - Down Ace - Toye Native
6. Race: Empire Of Dirt - Betterthanalright - Kilcrea
7. Race: Prince De Beauchene - Seventh Sign - Oscar Delta

Newbury today

by Newbury standards, today´s card is nothing special but it is certainly much better than the racing we have seen so far this week. Nicky Henderson, who is hoping to run superstar Sorinter Sacre at Ascot on Saturday introduces some interesting debutants, all partnered by Barry Geraghty. Sugar Baron at 15.15 CET and Carnival Flag at 6.25 are both running for the first time over hurdles after showing ability in bumpers, while bumper horse Might Bite at 17.00 is expected to run well on his very first race under rules. The novice handicap chase at 14.45 is interesting, even with only 4 runners, but they are all useful; Top Gamble (Richard Lee/ Jamie Moore) has won both his races over fences so far, while Far West (Paul Nicholls/ Sam Twiston-Davies) and Citizenship (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman) have also shown talent in this sphere, while Mountain King (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson) makes his chasing debut. It is difficult to choose between them, but at these weights we prefer Citizenship. The best betting race is the handicap chase at 15.50, where any of the 11 runners could win, but we go again for the bottom weight - which should in itself be an advantage on this very testing ground- Russe Blanc (Lee/ Charlie Poste), with On Trend (Nick Gifford/ Tom Cannon) possibly the main danger.
At Lingfield, La Estrella (Don Cantillon/ Graham Lee) attempts to equal the all-weather record of 26 wins at 13.50. He iwon the same race last year and is clear best on ratings, and has only 3 opponents, of whom Investissement (Len Carter/ Charlotte Jenner) is the best.
There are also only 4 runners in the main event at Kempton´s evening all-weather meeting. This is a conditions race for 3yo´s at 19.40 which on all known form should go to Hawkesbury (Charlie Appleby/ Adam Kirby).

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Norse Legend - Brook - Classical Art
2. Race: Far West - Top Gamble - Mountain King
3. Race: Sugar Baron - Admiral Miller - All Force Majeure
4. Race: Smiles For Miles - Premier Portrait - Ohio Gold
5. Race: Carnival Flag - Gabriella Rose - Maybe Plenty
6. Race: Chic Theatre - Might Bite - In The Hold

two more very poor cards

once again we have only two low level meetings today after Ffos Las was abandoned, this time because of flooding. With plenty of bad weather still expected this week, there are likely to be more abandonments in the next few days.
Fakenham satges the only jumps racing today anf there are some very small gfields. The most interesting event is the opening novice hurdle at 14.05 CET, which also has the largest and most competitive field of the day. Zip Top (John Ferguson/ AP McCoy) is the obvious place to start; he was regarded as a classic prospect in younger days and was runner-up in the Racing Post Trophy in 2011. Now a gelding, he made a decent debut over sticks last month at Kempton and his trainer has an excellent record with these ex-flat runners - and has an amazing strike rate when teaming up with McCoy. However there is some decent oppositiomn today., headed by ex-Germans Lanceur (Lucy Wadham/ Leighton Aspell) and Low Key (David Pipe/ Tom Scudamore), both of whom were also useful flat horses, as was Nicholascopernicus (Ed Walker/ Kieran Woods). Wadham does well at this track and has several fancied runners today, all partnered by Aspell, including another German-bred Aviador at 16.15; it will be disappointing if she goes home without at least one winner.
Best race on a poor all-weather card at Southwell is the 5 furlong handicap at 16.25. Sleepy Blue Ocean (John Balding/ Robert Winston) won this last year and came back to form when winning again over this CD last time out. He can obviously figure again, but our preference is for the consistent Scarborough for the in-form team of Milke Appleby and Luke Morris.The 6 furlongs maiden race for fillies at 15.50 is for 3yo´s and older horses, but in fact all 9 runners are 3yo´s; our choice is the well-bred Seychelloise (Sir Mark Prescott/ Morris), placed on her last 4 starts.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Zip Top - Lanceur - Shwaiman
2. Race: So Oscar - Baku Bay - Royale Django
3. Race: Rendezvous Peak - Cappielow Park - Bajardo
4. Race: Johnnys Legacy - Midnight Charmer - Mount Vesuvius
5. Race: Vision Du Coeur - Imperial Vic - Drombeg West
6. Race: Trafalgar - Shinooki - Riddlestown

two very poor cards

this afternoon would be a good time for shopping or going to the cinema, as after the abandonment of Ayr, we are left with two very poor cards of minimal betting interest. Tomorrow will be no much different, as Ffos Las has already been called off.
At Plumpton today David Bridgwater and Tom Scudamore start with good chances in the first 3 races - with Golan Dancer at 14.20 CET, last week´s winner Bravo Riquet at 14.55 and Bally Sands at 15.30; the last-named threw his chance away last week by a violent swerve after the last which cost his young jockey a ´long and controversial suspension. With the experienced Scu now up, he can make amends, but we are less sure about Bravo Riquet, as today´s distance is miuch shorter and we prefer Albatros de Guye (Anna Newton-Smith/ Andrew Thornton). Later on, Chris Gordon has two good chances in the handiap hurdle at 16.35; Sweet Boy (Tom Cannon) has possibly the better prospects on recent form, but we shall give another chance to Promised Wings (Mark Goldstein), who has an excellent German pedigree and his poor effort over fances last time can be forgiven.
At Wolverhampton, Brazilian-bred Energia Flavio (Marco Botti/ Ryan Tate) drops in grade for the 8 1/2 furlongs handicap at 15.55 and must surely be capable of running well agnaist this relatively feeble opposition.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Jebril - Ryeolliean - Tidestream
2. Race: Six One Away - Bobbits Way - Top Benefit
3. Race: Leith Hill Legasi - Bally Sands - Petit Ecuyer
4. Race: Tigre D`Aron - Golanova - Parting Way
5. Race: Sweet Boy Vic - Dawson City - Zephyr
6. Race: Mr Fickle - Nouailhas - Kastani Beach

Ayr abandoned tomorrow!

Monday´s meeting at Ayr has been called off as the gale force winds currently battering much of Europe have caused damage to the stands.

Great Leighs reopens as Chelmsford City

The Essex racecourse known originally as Great Leighs, which operated for only a short period in 2008 before financial and regulatory problems closed it down, reopens today under a new name, Chelmsford City, a new owner (a syndicate led by bookmaker Fred Done) and new management. Today´s meeting will be held before 800 invited guests with the public excluded, which is not universally popular, but the track itself has received the thumbs up from several of the leading trainers at Newmarket, only 50 miles away, and there are runners today from the Godolphin trainers Saeed bin Suroor, Charlie Appleby as well as John Gosden, Ed Dunlop and others. Today´s main event, a mile race for 3yo´s and a qualifying race for Good Friday at Lingfield at 15.50 CET, has only 5 runners, all with decent winning form, but the Godolphin runners Super Kid (Martin Harley) and Tempus Tempris (Rab Havlin) probably have the best chances. The card opens with a 10 furlongs handicap which can go to topweight Rebellious Guest (George Margarson/ Tom Queally).

The only other racing in the U.K. is at the jumps meeting at Kelso, where the going will be very testing. Best race here is the veterans handicap chase at 15.10, where top weight Poole Master (David PIpe/ Conor O´Farrell) is the likely favourite, after winning the Grand Sefton at Aintree a month ago. However he has never run over such a long trip before and we prefer the proven stayers Cape Tribulation (Malcolm Jefferson/ Barry Hughes) and Lie Forrit (Lucinda Russell/ Peter Buchanan); the latter also won at Aintree last time, but is penalised for that success, so we prefer Cape Tribulation, who stays well and is well handicapped on his old form. From the German point of view the most interesting runner here is Stanley (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire), who makes his British debut in the 4yo hurdle at 16.10; previously trained by Andreas Wöhler, this half-brother to Scalo and other good winners, won twice in Germany last year and is by far the best in this field on flat form (doesn´t always work out over sticks!).

Surprisingly there is no black type race in Ireland today, but the handicap chase at 15.30 at Fairyhouse is easily the most valuable race of the day. The 3 Gigginstown runners, with their main jockey Bryan Cooper on Sandra Hughes´ Bright New Dawn, and 2 McManus runners, with AP McCoy on Conor O´Dwyer´s Competitive Edge, runner-up last year, make up half the field, but our choice is Days Hotel (Henry de Bromhead/ Andrew Lynch), a tough and consistent campaigner, who is always capable of scoring at this level.

Fairyhouse - betting forecast:
1. Race: Uradel - Hostile Fire - Battle Hymn
2. Race: Baily Cloud - Rathpatrick - Enumerater
3. Race: Shabra`s Bertolini - Blackandamber Vic - Enjoy Responsibly
4. Race: Bright New Dawn - Sraid Padraig - Days Hotel
5. Race: Florishwells D`ete - Art Of Payroll - Kick On Boss
6. Race: Champagne James - Dromnea - Allied Victory
7. Race: Cogryhill - Wes Hardin - Flaviana

Strong Saturday cards

No Grade One races today, but plenty of good racing at several different tracks. The big betting race of the day is the Betfred Classic Chase over 3 miles 5 furlongs at 16.35 CET at Warwick, and with the ground certain to be very testing, this is a real race for specialists. So it is no realk suprise to see 3 past winners line up again, Shotgun Paddy (Emma Lavelle/ Daryl Jacob), who won last year from Carruthers (Mark Bradstock/ Nico de Boinville), Rigadin de Beauchene (Venetia Williams/ RT Dunne), who won in 2013, and West End Rocker (Alan King/ Tom Bellamy, 2011).

Of this Group we definiutely prefer carruthers, who ghoes well on the ground and is now very well handicapped. The obvious dangers are Return Spring (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson) and Hawkes Point (Paul Nicholls/ Sam Twiston-Davies). Earlier Carruthers´ half-brother Flintham runs for the same team in the Grade Two novice hurdle at 16.00; he showed improved form to win at Ascot last time but needs to improve again to figure here, with Shantou Bob (Warren Greatrex/ Gavin Sheehan) the clear form choice. Ex-German Dawn Twister (Lucy Wadham/ Leighton Aspell) looks an interesting each way bet in the long distance handicap hurdle at 15.25; he loves this ground, as we saw at Baden-Baden in 2011 and his trainer is in great form.

Two more ex-Germans running today are Ostland (Charlie Longsdon/ Noel Fehily) at Kempton at 14.00, once runner-up in the Deutsches Derby, and Nexios, third to Novellist in the Union-Rennen (Keith Dalgleish/ Keith Renwick) at 15.50 at Wetherby. We cannot fancy Ostland on this ground, but the going st the Yorkshire track is not so bad and Nexios, though not well handicapped, should get involved.

Another runner with German connections is Dell´Arca (David Pipe/ Tom Scudamore), one of 3 runners from the stable in Kempton´s big handicap hurdle at 15.40; one of the PIpe horses will win and we hope it is the this one! Despite his pedigree, he showed his best form on the heavy when runner-up last year in the Betfred Hurdle. We also fancy the Queen´s Open Hearted (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty) to win the handicap chase here at 16.15 and complete a double for the stable after Hunt Ball, we hope. wins at 15.10.

There is a decent all-weather card at Lingfield and an international field for the mile conditions race at 15.35, a qualifier for the big Good Friday meeting. Dastarhon (Pia Brandt/ Adam Kirby) comes from France and Captain Joy (Tracy Collins/ Pat Smullen) from Ireland. Both should go well, but it looks a tricky race.

Dubai World Cup Carnival starts today

The Dubai World Cup Carnival starts today at the Meydan racecourse - they have of course been racing there since before Christmas, but until today the races were lower grade and with much less prize-money; now the real season starts with high class racing, and the main event is the Group Two al Maktoum Challenge over a mile on dirt at 18.40 CET. We know from experience that these races are usually dominated by Godophin runners or those trained by the South African Mike de Kock, who has two in today´s field, while the Godolphin trainers Saeed bin Suroor and Charlie Appleby saddle one each. Most of the runners will have later and better targets to aim at, so they may not all be at peak fitness today, but we shall take a chance on Outstrip (Appleby/ Adam Kirby), who won the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf in 2013 and had some pretty smart form last year in the top mile races; this is his first start on dirt but that is not expected to be a problem.

Back in the U.K. the all-weather racing at Southwell and Wolverhamptpn (late start) is obviously of no interest compared to Meydan, while there is jumps racing at Leicester and Catterick. The latter card is better and the main feature is the North Yorkshire Grand National at 15.40, which looks very open with 12 runners, most of whom have met before and appear regularly in these "National" races. Our two against the field are Pinerolo (Sue Smith/ Dougie Costello) and Scotswell (Heather Graham/ James Reveley), who were both runners-up at Kelso last time. John Ferguson failed to win a race yesterday, but he has a fantastic strike rate here and we expect him to take the novice hurdle at 15.10 with debutant Buckwheat (AP McCoy), who was group class on the flat; the four hurdles winners in the field, who all have a 7 kbs penalty, are the dangers, notably German-bred König Dax (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire), a winner in the French provinces when last seen in May, and Zaidiyn (Brian Ellison/ Craig Gallagher), who has an excellent Aga Khan pedigree and has already shown good form over hurdles. Howeer if Buckwheat jumps round well, his flat class should be decisive.

Ludlow and Taunton

More low grade stuff today, with jumping at Ludlow and Taunton and all-weather flat racing at Lingfield and Kempton (evening); a glance at the map will show how idiotic this race planning is.

Ludlow has arguably the best card and John Ferguson, who has his string in great form, looks likely to saddle some winners. In the opening juvenile hurdle at 14.30 CET he runs Swivel (AP McCoy), quite useful on the flat and who made a decent debut over sticks; the one he has to worry about is John Constable (Evan Williams/ Paul Moloney), who is making his hurdles debut - he was just as good on the flat and is even better bred, being an own brother to St. Leger and Gold Cup winner Leading Light. Ferguson also runs chasing debutant New Years Eve (Jack Quinlan) in the handicap chase at 15.00 - but this one looks very tricky- but his best chance is probably with Father Edward (McCoy) in the maiden hurdle at 16.00, where Horsehill (Oliver Sherwood/ Leighton Aspell) and New Horizons (Nicky Henderson/ David Bass) would appear to be the main dangers. We also like Auldthunder (Micky Hammond/ Jamie Bargery) in the handicap chase at 16.30; he would have won easily last time at Catterick but for falling at the last and this race looks equally weak- and he has one of the best claimers on board.

At Taunton, Bladoun (David PIpe/ Tom Scudamore), much improved last time when winning at Leicester, is the likely favourite for the handicap hurdle at 16.10, but the handicapper put him up 13 lbs for that victory, so we prefer bottom weight Rugged Jack (Vic Dartnall/ Jack Doyle). Another one we like here is Tara Tavey (Kevin Bishop/ Daniel Hiskitt) at 17.10, runner-up over this CD last week and facing weak opposition today.

Bangor and Sedgefield

A typical Tuesday with low level jumps racing from Bangor and Sedgefield, and even lower flat racing from the all-weather at Southwell. However it is interesting that, despite the poor prize-money on offer, both jumps meetings have attracted runners from all over, including from Ireland.

At Bangor it is Tony Martin, who saddles Delvin Road in the maiden hurdle at 14.40 and Heathfield in the handicap hurdle at 15.40, both with Denis O´Regan aboard. Both should go well, although the former faces a very strong opponent in Relic Rock (Brian Ellison/ AP McCoy), runner-up in both his races over sticks so far and certain to win before long. From the German point of view, we also like Quintano (Heather Dalton/ Finian O´Toole) in this race, as he has an excellent Fährhof pedigree and could run into a place at a huge price. Best race here is the handicap chase at 16.10; this looks very open, but our choice is Final Assault (Lucinda Russell/ Dean Fox).

Co. Antrim trainer Stuart Crawford sends 3 runners to Sedgefield, and all will be ridden by Andrew Lynch: Knocklayde Sno Cat at 14.30, Izzini an hour later and Legacy Phoenix in the bumper another hour on. We expect all 3 to be involved in the finish, and are especially interested in Izzini, who is inconsistent but loves this track and is 3 from 3 here.

Listed chase in Ireland

Today´s top race is the listed chase over 2 1/4 miles at Thurles at 14.25 CET. Mount Colah (JG Cosgrave/ Mr N McParlan), who is always ridden by this amateur, is the clear form choice here. He has to give weight away all round but is clear top-rated and won in good style last time. Arnaud (Charlie Byrnes/ Bryan Cooper), bidding to continue Gigginstown´s winning run, and Letter of Credit (JJ Mangan/ PT Enright), runner-up here last year, and the two most likely to follow him home.

In the U.K. there is jumping at Lingfield (heavy going) and Musselburgh (good to soft) as well as a very poor all-wearher card at Wolverhampton.John Ferguson can continue his good run with ex-flat horses in the maiden hurdle at 14.00 at the Scottish track with Jalingo (Brian Hughes), but Glinockle (James Ewart/ Jake Greenall), also runner-up on his hurdling debut, could be a danger, as well as multiple flat winner Ginger Jack (Keith Dalgleish/ Keith Renwick) on his debut over sticks. Philip Hobbs has sent Royal Player (Richard Johnson) on the long journey from Somerset to contest the 3 mile handicap chase at 16.00 and he has an obvious chance, however we wonder whether he can concede so much weight to Island Heights (Lucinda Russell/ Craig Nichol).

In the extreme conditions expected at Lingfield we like to concentrate on experienced oldtimers and therefore select KIng Edmund at 14.10 and Nozic at 15.40

Grade One at Naas today

easily the best race of the day is the Grade One novice hurdle at 14.30 CET at Naas today, which has been promoted from Grade Two and is in fact the first Grade One ever to be run at the Co.Kildare track. Willie Mullins, dominating the Irish N.H. season as usual, has 3 of the 7 runners, all owned by Gigginstown House, and their retained jockey Bryan Cooper has chosen to ride the unbeaten Tell Us More, while Ruby Walsh is on Killer Crow and Paul Townend on McKinley, who pulled up lame last time. Killer Crow has smart form, but Cooper has probably made the right choice and his mount, already favourite for Cheltenham, looks a champion in the making. He won a Gowran bumper with the greatest of ease and was 5-1 on (in a field of 18!) to win on his hurdles debut at the same track, which he won in a canter by 11 lengths. However a strict Interpretation of that form does not make him superior to the equally unbeaten Free Expression (Gordon Elliott/ AP McCoy), whose maiden win over this distance of 2 1/ 2 miles at Navan has worked out well. At the likely odds, he could be the value bet here, and his trainer (who also trains for Gigginstown and should win the first race here at 13.30 for the O´Learys with Fort Smith) is also having a tremendous season.

The ground will be very testing at Plumpton and it could pay to rely on CD specialists in the Sussex National at 15.50-and that means Reblis (Gary and Josh Moore) who has a good record here when the mud is flying and won this race last year. He has not shown much since, but is well handicapped now and back to his favourite track, is expected to return to best form. Another father and son combination, Viking Blond (Peter and Sean Bowen), as well as a mother and daughter team Flying Award (Sue and Lucy Gardner) should provide the main opposition.
Main event on a generally undistinguished card on the all-weather track at Southwell is the mile handicap at 15.40. Local trainer Mike Appleby saddles 3 of the 6 runners, all last-time-out winners here and all CD specialists. Our choice is Starfield, ridden by claimer Ali Rawlinson, who is 3 from 3 here and was a very easy winner last week.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Lisclogher Lad - Fort Smith - Fiscal Nomad
2. Race: Fine Rightly - Draycott Place - Blood Cotil
3. Race: Mckinley - Killer Crow - Couleur France
4. Race: Sir Harry Cash - Prince Rudi - Smokey Joe Joe
5. Race: Florishwells D`ete - Springbelle - Vole Au Vent
6. Race: High Expectations - Balkinstown - Broadway Twist
7. Race: Sir Will - Chief Bottlewasher - Biento Madame

only 4 runners in Tolworth Hurdle

there has been heavy rain in many parts of the U.K. and the going will be much softer than originally expected at today´s meetings, including Sandown, where it will probably be heavy by the time racing starts at 13.10 CET.

Main event is the Grade One Tolworth Hurdle for novices at 15.25, but unfortunately this race has cut up badly and only 4 go to post, one of whom has no chance whatever but will be collecting at least 2000 GBP if he jumps round safely. The other 3 are all smart enough, especially ex-French L´ami Serge (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty) who has won both his U.K. starts in impressive style. Jolly´s Cracked It (Harry Fry/ Noel Fehily) was won both his hurdles starts and represents a team in red-hot form, while Shelford (Dan and Harry Skelton) is up in grade after showing excellent handicap form but looks well worth a try in this company. L´ami Serge is top-rated and could certainly win this, but is not a good bet at the likely odds.

The listed mares hurdle at 13.40 should lie between Aurore d´Estriuval (John Quinn/ Tony McCoy) and Mischievous Millie (Oliver Sherwood/ Leighton Aspell), who both have a good record in races of this nature. The latter has not run for almost a year but receives 8 lbs from her main opponent, and it could be close.

Obviously the handicaps are more interesting frfom the betting point of view and the 2 mile chase at 14.50 has a strong, though small field. McCoy is rarely seen on Paul Nicholls´ runners, but Mr. Mole is owned by nis boss, JP McManus, and could start favourite; he has won 3 of his 6 chases and is clearly talented, but his jumping is still a bit dodgy and Sandown is an unforgiving track, so we prefer Brick Red (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman), runner-up to him last time and slightly better off, and Williams´s Wishes (Evan Williams/ Paul Moloney), who likes Sandown and was far from disgraced when 6th in the Tingle Creek over this CD last time.

They say one should never forget a horse´s best form, and we have not forgotten the way that First Avenue (Laura Mongan/ Tom Cannon) won the Imperial Cup over this CD on heavy ground two years ago; his form since then has been a bit in and out, but he could run well at a big price at 16.00, while we are told to keep an eye on What´s Happening (Tom George/ Paddy Brennan) in the 3 mile handicap chase at 16.35.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Arabian Revolution - Classical Art - Norse Light
2. Race: Aurore d`Estruval - Mischievous Milly - Run Ructions Run
3. Race: My Oh Mount Brown - Until Winning - Madness Light
4. Race: Mr Mole - William`S Wishes - Dance Floor King
5. Race: Jolly`s Cracked It - Shelford - Thelordbewithyou
6. Race: Bouvreuil - Amore Alato - Tanerko Emery
7. Race: Unioniste - Relax - Bertie Boru

17yo winner at Ffos Las???

All Northern Hemisphere thoroughbreds celebrated their birthday yesterday and are now a year older, including the wonderful veteran Victory Gunner (Richard Lee/ Michael Nolan) who runs in the 3 mile handicap chase at 14.10 CET at Ffos Las. He is now 17 and we believe that he is the oldest horse in training in the U.K. He has won 14 races in his long career, most of them on heavy ground (as it is today) and on the Welsh tracks here or at Chepstow. He is no longer the most consistent performer, but he is well handicapped here and meets weak opposition- we would love to see the old boy win again! He is almost the same age as Sean Bowen, the teenage son of top local trainer Peter, who is definitely one of the finds of the season. He had a double at Cheltenham yesterday and has several good rides for his father today; he can win the bumper at 16.55 on Hollies Pearl. Another one we like here is ex-German group winner Global Thrill (Bernard Llewellyn/ Robert Williams) in the opening novice hurdle at 13.40; he has run respectably on both his starts over this CD and although Beast of Burden (Rebecca Curtis/ Tony McCoy) is a hot odds-on favourite here, could be an interesting each-way alternative.

Another young rider going places is Mikey Ennis, who won the main event at Musselburgh yesterday for John Ferguson. he teams up again with the Newmarket trainer, who does so well with ex-flat horses, on Mijhaar at Ayr at 16.10 and the combination can score again. He was a listed winner for Roger Varian and has shown enough over hurdles to suggest that a race of this standard is well within his compass. A German-bred who can run well here is Amore Mio (Lucinda Russell/ Mr W Reed) who has bottom weight in the handicap hurdle at 14.00; he is from a top Ittlingen Family and although out of a Lando mare can handle heavy ground well enough. Top trainer here is Jim Goldie, and his Plus Jamais (James Reveley) can win the handicap hurdle over a shorter trip at 14.35; he won twice over this CD on heavy ground last winter.

New Year´s Day at Cheltenham

The weather has improved and conditions should be perfect for the traditional New Year´s Day fixture at Cheltenham, easily the best of today´s 7 cards in the U.K. and Ireland.

Main feature is the Grade Two novice chase over 2 miles 5 furlongs at 14.20 CET, in which we expect the three so far unbeaten chasers to dominate: Champagne West (Philip Hobbs/ Tom O´Brien), P´Tit Zig (Paul Nicholls/ Sam Twiston-Davies) and Ned Stark (Alan King/ Denis O´Regan). All could go to the top, but we prefer P´tit Zig, who was the best of these over sticks- 6th in the Champion Hurdle-.and looks a future star.

The hurdle race at 16.05 has attracted a very strong field for the money on offer, headed by ex-Champion Hurdle winner Rock on Ruby (Harry Fry/ Noel Fehily), who came back to form with a nice win over this CD last time. However he has to give 8 lbs to Silsol (Nicholls/ Sam TD) and Vaniteux (Henderson/ Geraghty) which will not be easy. The latter was runner-up here to The New One last time, while the German-bred Silsol, a son of Soldier Hollow, has been 1 / 2 on his last 7 starts and looks well worth a try in this stronger company.

Henderson and Geraghty might take the opening novice hurdle at 13.10 with Different Gravey, while there are also 3 very hot handicaps in which our tentative each-way selections are Alfie Spinner (Nick Williams/ Noel Fehily) at 13.45, King Massini (Evan Williams/ Adam Wedge) at 14.55 and Sybarite (Nigel TD/ Ryan Hatch) at 15.30.: Henderson could also have 2 winners at Exeter with Brigadier Miller at 14.20 and Whisper, a top hurdler making his chasing debut at 15.30; both are partnered by the very capable Nico de Boinville.