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