Musselburgh and Punchestown

The only racing in England today is a low grade all-weather affair at Chelmsford, but there is much better jumps racing in Scotland at Musselburgh and in Ireland at Punchestown, both with the upcoming Cheltenham Festival firmly in their sights.

Most of the races at Musselburgh are indeed billed as Cheltenham trials and, with the going much better than has usually been the case in recent weeks, the track has been rewarded with runners from all over, including from Ireland and especially a strong team from Nicky Henderson. He should certainly take the listed Triumph Hurdle Trial at 15.00 CET with Hargam (AP McCoy), who looks to be one of his main Festival hopes. McCoy can also win the novice hurdle that opens the card at 14.00 with John Ferguson´s Namoose, who won his only hurdle race easily enough after showing smart bumper form. Ferguson is best known for turning good flat rac Performers into hurdlers and he has one in the handicap hurdle at 16.00 with Retriueve (Jack Quinlan), who was a liszted winner on the flat and clould be well handicapped here with bottom weight; however Ferguson also saddles the top weight here Sea Lord (McCoy), who has an entry in the Champion Hurdle, and if he is to have a chance at Cheltenham he must run well here despite his huge weight. The danger could be Streets of Newyork (Conor O´Farrell), one of 4 Brian Ellison runners here.

The Future Champions Novice Chase at 15.30 has attracted a relatively weak field, and ex-German Seventh Sky (Charlie Mann/ Gavin Sheehan), who won well enough last time, could well be a contender, although he is certainly far removed from championship class, unlike his siblings Samum and co. There are certainly some potential champions on view at Punchestown in the Grade Two Tied Cottage Chase at 16.40. Hidden Cyclone (Shark Hanlon/ Andrew McNamara) has not won for ages, and has never won a Grade One yet despite finishing runner-up 4 times in this grade- should win this in receipt of 8 lbs from the main danger Twinlight (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh) is he is to underline his Cheltenham Champion Chase credentials.