Candy sprint double at Haydock?

Black type races and hot handicaps all over today, but the main events are at Haydock where we expect Henry Candy to land a big sprint double with Music Master (Fergus Sweeney) over 5 furlongs at 16.10 CET and Limato (Graham Lee) at 16.45 in the Group Two race for 3yo´s over 6 furlongs. Candy has a well-deserved reputation for his handling of top sprinters and Limato, unbeaten in 5 races so far, seems destined to go right to the top. Anotjnher Trainer who can alnd a big race double here is Roger Varian, who saddles Talmada (William Buick) in the fillies Group Three at 15.00 and Aljamasheer (Paul Hanagan) in the 7 furlongs race at 15.35. Talmade showed much improved form when chasing home the smart Secret Gesture at York last time and a repetitiion of that form should be good enough here; Aljamasheer was one of several runners in this field who were unplaced last time in the Group One Lockinge at Newbury, but we feel that he can improve on that form over this shorter trip.

At York the listed race over 1 3/4 miles at 15.20 could lie between Elidor (Mick Channon/ Martin Harley), up in grade after winning a good handicap at Newmarket and running over his ideal trip, and Red Galileo (Ed Dunlop/ Andrea Atzeni), who has the better form but has not won for a long time and is up in distance; however with our favourite jockey on board , he gets our vote. The handicaps here look too difficult to predict, but we expect David O´Meara to win the ooener over 6 furlongs at 14.45; however as he has 5 of the 16 runners it is still not easy- perhaps top-weight Louis the Pious (Shelley Birkett) could be the answer.

Our main fancy at Chester is Chookie Royale (Keith Dalgleish/ Andrew Mullen) in the 7 1 /2 furllongs handicap at 16.00; a toigh front-runner on the all-weather, he is much better handivapped on turf and may be able to stay this trip on this easier track. At Newmarket, Richard Hughes can take the listed rave azt 15.456 on the Queen´s Peacock (Richard Hannon).

8 meetings today

There are no fewer than 8 meetings today in the U.K. and Ireland, with Newmarket, Newcastle and Brighton racing on the flat tjhis afternoon, and Haydock and Catterick this evening, while in Ireland there are two N.H. evening meetings at Down Royal and Tramore, but it must be said that the level of racing at all these meetings - even Newmarket - is low.

The most interesting card is at the evening meeting at Stratford which concentrates on Hunter Chases, and some of the top British hunter chasers are running. This is especially true of the Foxhunters Champion Hunter Chase over 3 1/2 miles at 21.00 CET, in which Paint the Clouds (warren Greatrex/ Sam Waley-Cohen), will attempt to follow up on his easy win in this event a year ago. He faces a very strong opponent in Pacha du Polder (Paul Nicholls/ William Biddick), who finished runner-up to the top Irish hunter chaser On The Fringe at Aintree; on his previous run On the Fringe had been a very easy winner of the Cheltenham Foxhunters with Paint the Clouds a long way back in third, so collateral form suggests that the Nicholls runner be preferred. We are not so sure, as Paiint The Clouds has since run really well at Sandown in a much tougher race, and his CD form possibly gives him the edge.

The Newmarket card is of course not totally devoid of interest with most of the top jockeys there and we would not be surprised to see Ryan Moore amo0ng the winners. He has 5 rides booked and they all seem to have chances, although in the 7 furlongs handicap at 16.35 we just prefer oldtimer Santefisio (Keith Dalgleish/ James Doyle).

Best evening meeting of the year at Sandown

6 meetings again today, but by far the most interesting is the evening fixture at Sandown, generally regarded as the best evening meeting of the whole year and featuring two group races and two listed. Unfortunately the ground is firming up, which could have quite an influence on the results.

The Brigadier Gerard Stakes over 10 furlongs at 20.45 CET has only 5 runners, but is still a very competitive affair. Arab Spring (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore) is still improving and won his first start this season in good style at Newbury; however this Monsun 5yo may find this trip on fast ground a bit sharp. The very lightly-raced Eagle Top (John Gosden/ Frankie Dettori) finished fourth in the King George last year but has not raced since, while Gosden´s other runner Western Hymn (James Doyle) is a CD specialist who won the Gordon Richards here a month ago; however this looks tougher, and the really interesting runner is Tryster (Charlie Appleby/ William Buick), who has shown tremendous improvement this year, winning all 5 starts, all on the all-weather including the valuable Easter Classic. If he can translate that form to the turf, he could go right to the top.

The Henry II Stakes at 20.10 over 2 miles is often a good trial for the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, and Irish challenger Simenon (Willie Mullins/ Ryan Moore) finished a close second there in 2013 and fifth again last year. He is also a smart hurdler but has been campaigned exclusively on the flat for the past 2 years, usually with Moore aboard when available. Forgotten Voice (Nicvky Henderson/ Jamie Spencer) is also a good hurdler but his flat form is inferior to that of Simenon. Trip to Paris (Ed Dunlop), who won the Chester Cup last time, and Vent de Force (Hughie Morrison/ Richard Hughes) are improving 4yo´s who are expected to break through Into the top staying ranks this year. They still have to prove it however and for the time being we prefer the known ability of Simenon; the fact that he is having his first run for ten months is no problem with this trainer, who is presumably aiming him at the Gold Cup once more.

The listed National Stakes over 5 furlongs at 19.35 is the hottest 2yo race of the year so far in the U.K.- all 9 runners are winners, 5 of them unbeaten, and we shall certainly see several of them again at Royal Ascot; the race must be watched with that end in view, but is too tricky for us to predict. The listed race for 3yo´s over a mile at 21.15 has also attracted a good field. Consort (Stoute/ Moore) won his only race so far so impressively that he could well defy this considerable leap in class:; the stable´s runners usually need their first start of the season, but this one could be the exception. He is entered in the Derby - won´t run there obviously - and the St. James´s Palace at Royal Ascot, which indicates the high regard in which he is held.

6 more poor meetings

If anything, today´s 6 cards are even weaker than yesterday´s and consist almost entirely of low grade handicaps. Arguably the most interesting race of the day is the 7 furlongs 3yo maiden which opens this evening´s Irish card at Gowran Park. Among the 9 contenders are two runners from top stables, Sir Isaac Newton (Aidan O´Brien/ Seamie Heffernan) and Valac (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen) who have both finished runner-up on both their career starts but went down to embarrassing odds-on defeats last time. Sir Isaac Newton was regarded as one of O´Brien´s Derby hopes until beaten at 6-1 ON (!!!) at Chester, while Valac is a half-brother to stable star Free Eagle but has clearly nowhere near the same ability. Also in the line-up is Black Wolf Run (David Wachman/ Wayne Lordan), a colt out of group winner Damson who made a very promising debut, and the well-bred Aga Khan debutant Shamash (Mike Halford/ Shane Foley). In view of the question marks over the leading contestants, this is not a race to bet on, but one that should be watched with a view to the future. However Valac fares here, we expect Weld and Smullen to have another successful meeting, with decent chances fpr Shahzeena at 19.20, Serefell at 20.20 and debutatnt Eshera at 21.50, all also sporting the Aga Khan colours.

The best betting race of the day is the 6 furlongs handicap this evening at 21.40 at Kempton. Normally we would have fancjed Marmalady (Gary and Ryan Moore) as the Jockey has an exce,klkent strike rate when riding fpor his father, but the oitside draw is a huge disadvantage here, and the same goes for the forecast favourite Doctor Sardonicus (David Simcock/ Andrew Miullen); we shall take a chance on Desert Command (Andrew Balding/ David Probert), who is well drawn and has been running well enough in similar events, without actually winning for ages.

6 poor meetings today

Back to normal fare today, when we have three flat cards this afternoon, at Leicester, Redcar and Lingfield (all-weather) and three jumps meetings this evening, at Hexham, Huntingdon and Ballinrobe in Ireland.

The Leicester card is arguably the best, and the most interesting event here is the 7 furlongs handicap for 3yo fillies at 17.30 CET. 13 runners here, but the most interesting is Rosalie Bonheur (Clive Cox/ Adam Kirby), who makes her seasonal debut after winning all her 3 races last year. They were not especially strong races, but she could still improve and her handicap rating still gives her plenty of scope. Alfajer (Marco Botti/ James Doyle), uniucky last time at Doncaster, is just one of many dangers. Earlier, we like Little Voice (Charlie Hills/ Jamie Spencer) in the race for 2yo maiden fillies at 16.00; she ran very green on her debut at Windsor, but still finished a promising fourth.

At Redcar, Khalid Abdullah´s Distain (Lady Cecil/ Martin Harley) appears to have little to beat in the 10 furlongs maiden at 17.20. This well-bred filly made an excellent debut earlier thjs month in a much stronger race at Ascot.

Over jumps, it could pay to keep an eye on John Ferguson´s 3 runners in maiden/ novice hurdle races this evening. Ferguson is Sheikh Mohammed´s bloodstock adviser and does very well with ex-Maktoum runners pover sticks. Today´s runners are Mondlicht (Jack Quinlan) at 19.10 at Hexham, and Improvisation and Father Edward at 20.20 and 21.50 at Huntingdon, both partnered by Aidan Coleman. They won´t pay much but could easily all win.

Bank Holiday

It is Whit Monday today, no longer celebrated in the U.K. but it is a bank holiday there anyway, the so-called Spring Holiday, the last Monday in May. This means a lot of low level racing, with flat racing at Carlisle, Leicester, Redcar and Windsor and jumping from Cartmel and this evening in Ireland at Ballinrobe.

The best race of the day is the Zetland Gold Cup, a ten furlongs handicap at 16.55 CET at Redcar in which all 9 runners have some sort of a chance. We note course specialist Silvery Moon (Tim Easterby/ David Allan), who was third last year - but is not related to the paint horse of the same name trained by Mario Hofer. However preference is for the two top-weights, tough performers who. are trained by Mark Johnston- Fire Fighting (Paul Mulrennan) and Master of Finance (Adrian Nicholls). The latter was runner-up in a hot handicap at York last time, but on the whole we prefer the former, who has been running in better races and will like the fast ground.

Ryan Moore had rather a mixed meeting at the Curragh over the weekend - he won the Irish 2,000 Guineas on Saturday and also the first 2 races yesterday, but he was also beaten on several hot favourites. Today he is to be found in the rather humbler surroundings of Leicester and we certainly expect him to win the 1 1/2 mile race for 3yo maiden fillies at 17.55 on Sir Michael Stoute´s Yarrow, a Sea The Stars filly who should be suited by this step up in distance, and he also has good chances of winning the handicaps at 16.15 and 16.50 on John Jenkins´ Pretty Bubbles and Charlie Hills´ Magical Memory respectively.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Little Lotte - Crombay - La Asomada
2. Race: Lightning Spree - The Dream Fast - Secret Glance
3. Race: Sov - Moonlight Venture - Eutropius
4. Race: Master Of Finance - Yeager - Fire Fighting
5. Race: Bold Captain - Saltarello - Kyrenia Castle
6. Race: Penny Royale - Landing Night - Elusive Epona
7. Race: Crakehall Lad - Midnight Warrior - Bowdler`S Magic

Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh

there are just three poor jumping cards in the U.K. today, but in Ireland we have another very high-class card at the Curragh featuring two Group One races. There are no fewer than 18 fillies declared for the Irish 1,000 Guineas at 16.55 CET, but there is a very high likelihood that Aidan O´Brien will take this race for the 8th time. He has 3 runners declared with son Joseph on Kissed by Angels, Ryan Moore on last season´s top 2yo filly Found and Seamie Heffernan on no-hoper Qualify. Coolmore has already won both Newmarket Guineas this season,as well as yesterday´s Irish 2,000, with Ryan Moore in the saddle each time and we expect the same result today. Found missed the English 1,000 after a minor setback and instead ran in a small race here and was surprisingly breaten on very bad ground, but we don´t see that as a problem on this much better going. Kissed by Angels was an easy winner at Leopardstown last time and could be the main danger, but we also respect the two fillies saddled by both Jessica Harrington and Dermot Weld
Weld was also hoping to win the main supporting race, the Tattersalls Gold Cup over 10 furlongs at 16.20 with his potential champion Free Eagle, but he has had to be withdrawn and instead Weld now relies on Fascinating Rock (Pat Smullen),who beat Parish Hall (Jim Bolger/ Kevin Manning) over this CD lst time, but they both need to show much more to threaten Al Kazeem (Roger Charlton/ James Doyle) and The Grey Gatsby (Kevin Ryan/ Moore), two of the best horses in the world over this trip. The former was runner-up to Cirrus des Aigles last time, while the latter was second to Solow at Meydan - and these two top French performers clash this afternoon at Longchamp. We expect these two to fight it out today with preference for The Grey Gatsby, who had Al Kazeem well behind when winning last year´s Irish Champion.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Stamp Hill - Painted Cliffs - Independence Day
2. Race: Russian Soul - Kimbay - Captain Cullen
3. Race: Clonard Street - Prince Gagarin - Curvy
4. Race: Postponed - Fascinating Rock - Parish Hall
5. Race: Bocca Baciata - Kissed By Angels - Pleascach
6. Race: Ballybacka Queen - Neverushacon - Papa`s Way
7. Race: Silwana - Unrequited - Mandatario
8. Race: Mutazen - Ashoka - Brightly Shining

Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh

the classic season in Ireland kicks off today with the Irish 2,000 Guineas at 16.20 at the Curragh. Aidan O´Brien has won this 9 times already and seems almost certain to win it for a tenth time. He has 3 runners with Gleneagles (Ryan Moore) clearly the pick and expected to go off at long odds-on. He has passed the post first in all his 6 career starts so far, although he was disqualified and put back to third after winning the Lagardere at Longchamp on Arc day last year. That form was still good enough to win here, but even more impressive was his victory in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on his seasonal debut this year. Ivawood (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) was 3 lengths third that day; there seems to be no reason why he should reverse that form, but he could be placed again. Belardo (Roiger Varian/ James Doyle) won the Dewhurst last year, but was very disappointing on his seasonal reappearance; however the stable is in better form now and we expect a much improved importance. Tombelaine (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen) beat Endless Drama (Ger Lyons/ Andrea Atzeni) half a length over 7 furlongs here and are the next best, but it is hard to see any of the other runners getting involved.

This main feature is supported by two Group Two races, although the mile race for 4yo and older fillies and mares at 16.55 looks a bit substandard. Dermot Weld has brought Brooch (Pat Smullen) along very carefully and she has won all her 3 starts, showing improved form each time; she Looks the only filly in the field who is a genuine performer at this level and should win. Pelerin (Marco Botti/ Moore) who ended last year by winning a listed race on the all-weather, and Tommy Stack´s two runners could take the next 3 places, with Lady Dutch (Botti/ Atzeni) next.

The 6 furlongs race at 15.45 has a much stronger field and Ireland´s top 3 sprinters of recent years are all entered: Sole Power (Eddie Lynam/ Richard Hughes), Gordon Lord Byron (Tom Hogan/ Wayne Lordan) and Maarek (Eva McCutcheon/ Seamie Heffernan). Between them they have won all the top sprints in Dubai, at Royal Ascot and Longchamp and probably Sole Power is the best of them, but six furlongs on yielding going is not ideal, so the other two are preferred. But Weld and Smullen have another strong candidate here in Mustajeeb, who won the Jersey at Royal Ascot last year and is now down in distance. He looks a good each-way bet.

In a ridiculous clash, there is also a Group Two sprint in England, the Temple Stakes over 5 furlongs at 16.45 at Haydock. The first 5 from last year reappear here, Hot Streak, Pearl Secret, oldtimer Kingsgate Native, Justice Day and Jack Dexter, but our preference is for the recent Newmarket winner Goldream (Robert Cowell/ Martin Harley), who is expected to take high rank among the U.K. sprinters this year.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Ballydoyle - Dewdrop - Dancing On Air
2. Race: Round Two - Washington Dc - State Of Emergency
3. Race: Sole Power - Mustajeeb - Gordon Lord Byron
4. Race: Ivawood - Belardo - Tombelaine
5. Race: Brooch - Pelerin - Ramone
6. Race: King Of Aragon - Tuk Tuk - Xebec
7. Race: Portage - Ripples Effect - Tennessee Wildcat

Derby trial at Goodwood

Yesterday´s big race for fillies at Goodwood was won in very convincing style by Luca Cumani´s Lady of Dubai, but the trainer has not yet decided whether to run her in the Oaks in a fortnight´s time. Today we have a similar race for colts at 17.00 CET, and it is doubtful whether any of these runners will go on to triumph at Epsom. In fact the only horse to have won this race and followed up in the Derby was Troy, back in 1979! Today´ s race should mainly concern just 3 of the 6 runners, Godolphin´s Best of Times (Saeed bin Suroor/ James Doyle), winner of his last 3 races including a similar event at Newmarket, and Storm the Stars (William Haggas/ Pat Cosgrave) and Medrano (David Brown/ Richard Hughes), second and third to Aidan O´Brien´s Derby hope Hans Holbein at Chester. None of these can be regarded as serious Derby horses with the possible exception of Best of Times, so the Godolphin runner, who has to concede 3 lbs all round, is the selection here. Godolphin can follow up with Endless Time (Charlie Appleby/ Martin Lane) in the filllies handicap 35 minutes later; she has won her last two races and although up in distance here, she is a daughter of Sea The Stars so that should be no great problem. The stable´s other main jockey William Buick is at Haydock and should also be among the winners.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Pass The Moon - Secret Tale - Freddie Freeloader
2. Race: Freddy With A Y - Zeshov - Can`t Change It
3. Race: Luna Moon - Zoella - Postbag
4. Race: Best Of Times - Storm The Stars - Mr Singh
5. Race: Endless Time - Spacelab - Star Rider
6. Race: Major Jack - Humidor - Zanetto
7. Race: Star Fire - Free To Love - Able Spirit

Oaks trial at Goodwood

Main event at today´s 6 meetings in the U.K. and Ireland is the listed race for 3yo fillies at 17.25 CET at Goodwood. This is a last-ditch trial for the Oaks, which is just over 2 weeks away, and 5 of the 8 runners have an Oaks entry. The only filly in recent years to have gone on from scoring here to winning at Epsom is the top class Snow Fairy, whose trainer Ed Dunlop now saddles Arethusa and has booked Ryan Moore to ride. Arethusa has not run since winning a minor event here last August and needs to improve a huge amount to win now, but that is by no means out of the question. However strictly on form this should go to Jellicle Ball (John Gosden( Frankie Dettori), who ran badly last time in the 1,000 Guineas but was apparently in season; her previous second place in the Fred Darling is the best form in the race. Gosden also saddles Miss Giler (William Buick), who is second best on ratings, but her form does not convince us, and another seasonal debutant Lady of Dubai (Luca Cumani/Adam Kirby) looks a greater threat.

This race is backed up by some very competitive handicaps and we expect Ryan Moore to have another good afternoon. He rides Jeremy Noseda´s Nigels Destiny at 15.40, but this race Looks tough; however we fancy his chances on his father Gary´s Civil War in the 2 mile handicap at 16.15 and Sir Michael Stoute´s top-weight Darshini over 9 furlongs at 16.50.

Most of the Goodwood jockeys will be travelling up to Sandown for a decent evening card and Moore can score again here on the Queen´s Dartmouth at 20.35, also trained by Stoute. German-bred Sugar Boy (Gosden/ Buick) also has a squeak here in the 3yo mile handicap at 19.25.

German-breds over jumps today

Once again we have 6 meetings today, all offering low level racing. The 3 flat cards - at Lingfield (on turf) and Ayr this afternoon and Kempton (all-weather) this evening are of no huge interest, but it might be worth having a look at the jumps cards - Southwell and Sligo (Ireland) this evening and Warwick earlier on and in particular at some German-breds at the two last-named meetings.

The best of them is clearly Nyanza (Alan King/ Wayne Hutchinson) who runs in the 4yo fillies handicap hurdle at 17.10 CET at Warwick. The Dai Jin filly was listed class on the flat and has already shown considerable talent over hurdles; she has to give 20 lbs to her 4 opponents today, but has easily the best form in the race. Half an bour later Collodi (David Bridgwater/ Tom Scudamore) runs in another handicap hurdle over the same trip of 2 miles. He had useful form when trained by Peter Schiergen for Klaius Allofs and won his first 2 starts over sticks for his present connections last summer; his last 3 outings were less successful, but if anywhere near his older form, he should go close here; the main danger could be another runner with a German pedigree - Mr.Lando (Anne Batchelor/ Leighton Aspell), who is actually by Shirocco out of a Lando mare.

Prince Charles is expected to visit Sligo races this evening and he might be presenting the tophy for the race named in his hinour, a Mares maiden hurdle at 19.30, to Apisata (Mervyn Torrens/ Mark Enright). She is no star, but this mare by Mamool out of Api Sa, who we remember winning a listed race at Baden-Baden for Andreas Wöhler, clould wellmake the Frame in a weak race. Two hours later, the same trainer and jockey are represented by another German-bred, the Kallisto mare Annakrista in a handicap hurdle and the same comment applies.

6 more poor meetings today

Very little to get excited about at today´s 6 meetings, this afternoon we have flat racing from Chepstow, Newcastle and Nottingham and this evening jumping from Newton Abbot and all-weather flat racing from Chelmsford and Dundalk (Ireland).

The "best" race is Newcastle´s 7 furlongs handicap at 17.50 CET. George Cinq (Michael Bell/ Louis Steward) is the likely favourite here, having finished runner-up on his last 3 starts, twice on the all-weather. His performance at Doncaster last week was not bad, but we are worried by his poor strike rate.Obsidian (Richard Fahey/ Tony Hamilton) is an obvious danger, having won a maiden at Thirsk last week and is possdibly well handicapped, but our preference is for top-weight Sir Robert Cheval (Marco Botti/ Shane Grey); he also has a poor strike rate but has been running in much better company. The 10 furlongs handicap here an hour earlier is also interesting; Taghreeb (Brian Meehan/ Dane O´Neill) is unbeaten in two starts, and although that form does not actuallly amount to much, he could be thrown in here off a mark of only 82.

With the stable in top form, Elle Shade (John Gosden/ Nicky Mackay) is of obvious interest in the handicap for 3yo fillies at 16.30 at Nottingham; this is another lightly-raced runner who could be much better than her rating suggests, as her only two starts were back in February on the all-weather. She is out of German champion filly Elle Danzig, and another Godolphin runner today out of a German Group One winner is the very lightly-raced Royal Flag (Saeed bin Suroor/ James Doyle) who runs at Chelmsford this evening at 20.50. The 5yo gelding is out of Gonbarda, already dam of champion Farhh. The fact that he has only ever run 4 times is a negative, but he has at least been placed every time and he can possibly get off the mark here.

6 poor meetings today

A very low level start to the week, with flat racing this afternoon from Redcar and Southwell (all-weather) and this evening from Windsor and Leicester, while there is jumps racing at Towcester and in Ireland a mixed meeting at Roscommon, with 4 flat races followed by a bumper and two chases. Roscommon also features our best bet today, Kaleefa (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen) in the maiden race for 4yo and older fillies and mares at 19.55. This well-bred Aga Khan filly has been a major disappointment so far, having been well backed on all her 3 starts without ever threatening to win a race, but this is such a weak event that it will be quite a shock if she cannot get off the mark here.

The best race at Towcester is the handicap chase at 17.10 which features two runners penalised for winning last week - By The Boardwalk (Kim Bailey/ Tom Bellamy) and Riddlestown (Caroline Fryer/ Harry Skelton). The former won here over 3 miles, but this drop back in distance could be a problem, so we prefer the latter, who is up in grade but won twice over this CD last year and seems to be at his best in the spring sunshine.

Main event at Redcar is the 5 furlongs sprint handicap at 16.50. Paul Midgeley and Graham Lee won this last year and can score again with Desert Law, who despite top weight is actually very well handicapped on his old form for Godolphin and before that Andrew Balding. He showed that he is coming back to form with a good effort in a much stronger race at York last week.

Roger Varian has made a slow start to the season, but seems to be coming back to form, and can land a double at Windsor with Gwendolyn, who has a very interesting German pedigree, at 19.35 and Tazzfin an hour later, both partnered by his old stable jockey Andrea Atzeni.

Anotjher German-bred with a chance is Goring at 20.45 at Leicester, but he has been hard hit by the handicapper and we are not sure that he can concede weight to some very interesting and unexposed 3yo´s here. Pacify (Ralph Beckett/ Jim Crowley) won his only start last season and is the selection to win here for his very prominent owners.

Group race in Ireland today

The only black type race of the day in the U.K. and Ireland is the Group Three Vintage Crop Stakes over 1 3/4 miles at Navan at 16.55 CET. Vintage Crop was of course trained by Dermot Weld, who sent him to Australia to win the Melbourne Cup - the first ever non-Aussie horse to do so- and the trainer can take this with the very lightly-raced but unbeaten Forgotten Rules (Pat Smullen). He is a potential champion stayer and we think that he can concede 5 lbs to his opponents here, although Biographer (David Lanigan/ George Baker) - runner-up to him at Ascot last October- Kingfisher (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien) and Answered (Jim Bolger/ Kevin Manning) will be tough nuts to crack on these terms.

Otherwise today´s racing ia all very low key, with jumps racing at Market Rasen and Stratford in England and Limerick in Ireland, while Ripon stages the only U.K. flat racing. German-trained runners over jumps in England have become very rare now that Christian von der Recke, who had a really good strike rate, concentrates almost entirely on flat racing, but the Weilerswist trainer sends Desroches to run in the mares selling hurdle at Stratford at 15.55 and has booked a top jockey, Richard Johnson. She won a chase at Zweibrücken last month before becoming outclassed in a much better event at Mannheim. She is no star, but this is a very weak race and she could well prevail.

Our main fancy at Market Rasen is Get Home Now (Peter and Sean Bowen) in the handicap hurdle at 16.40; he is very inconsistent but seems to reserve his best form for this track, where he has already won twice. Anotjher course specialist is Oldtimer Osteopathic Remedy (Michael Dods/ Connor Beasley) in the mile handicap at Ripon at 16.50; he was won 4 times over this CD and is now very well handicapped on his old form. Our best bet here however is Secret Hint (Andrew Balding/ David Probert) in the fillies and mares handicap over 6 furlongs at 16.15; she was runner-up to Ridge Ranger (Eric Alston/ Jason Hart) last time at Wetherby, with 3 more of these behind, and could reverse the placings on 7 lbs better terms. Top-weight Love Island (Richard Whitaker/ George Chaloner) is the main danger.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Toscanini - Father Frost - Beach Belle
2. Race: Stone Mountain - Gleine - Haqeeba
3. Race: Bubbly Bellini - In Salutem - Sassaway
4. Race: Forgotten Rules - Answered - Biographer
5. Race: Ivanovich Gorbatov - Time To Inspire - My Twinkle
6. Race: Dragon Fei - Curvy - Sierra Sun
7. Race: Jinsha Lake - Dawn Mirage - Shinghari

Huge field for Group One Lockinge Stakes

A very busy Saturday with lots of runners and big fields eveywhere. However with the ground firming up all over, there will also be quite a few non-runners and punters are advised to check before making their bets.

The top race of the day is the Group One Lockinge Stakes over a mile at Newbury at 16.45 CET and with 17 runners this has attracted its biggest field ever. The logical selection here is Night of Thunder (Richard Hannon/ James Doyle) who won last season´s 2,000 Guineas - a very strong renewal- and was at the end of the season runner-up in the Queen Elzabeth II Stakes at Ascot with stable companion Toormore (Richard Hughes) third, Tullius (Andrew Balding/ Jimmy Fortune) - also runner-up here last year- fourth, Captain Cat (Roger Charlton/ George Baker) fifth, Integral (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore) seventh and Custom Cut (David O´Meara/ Danny Tudhope) eighth. In theory he should beat all these again, but there seems to be a lot of confidence behind the hugely-improved Custom Cut and the mare Integral on this much faster ground. Custom Cut beat Balding´s otjer runner Here VComes When (Jim Crowley) at Sandown last time and the runner-up, who won at Baden-Baden last year, could also finish in the frame here. Night of Thunder and Integral, whose ttrainer has won this 7 times, are making their seasonal debut here which may be a disadvantage, especially as there are plenty of big races to come for them, so it may pay to be cautious.

This Group One Event is backed up by 3 competitive listed races on a high-class at Newbury, and the 1 1/2 mile race at 15.00 is as strong as many group races and with many of the same trainers involved. Telescope (Stoute/ Moore) is the clear form choice here, having won the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot last year and finjished runner-up in the King George; he has already had a race this season and looks hard to beat, but we shall take a chance on German-bred Scotland (Balding/ Crowley) each-way, a horse we have always liked.

The listed races for 3yo´s - over 6 furlongs at 15.35 and for fillies over 10 furlongs at 17.20- both look very tricky, but John Gosden has a strong hand here and can possily win with Waady (Paul Hanagan) in the former and with Oaks hopeful Martlet (Frankie Dettori) in the latter.Finally we would like to mention German-bred Norab (Marco Botti/ Daniel Muscutt), who runs in the 1 3/4 miles handicap at 15.15 at Newmarket. This Galileo half-brother to Night Magic found 2 miles too far last time, but this trip looks ideal.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Harvard Man - Shalaa - Birchwood
2. Race: Elite Army - Gatewood - Scotland
3. Race: Waady - Salt Island - Adaay
4. Race: Time Test - Dissolution - Gibeon
5. Race: Night Of Thunder - Integral - Toormore
6. Race: Pamona - Martlet - Crystal Zvezda
7. Race: Gm Hopkins - Munaaser - Spark Plug

Final day of York Dante Festival

3 of the best racecourses in Britain stage racing this afternoon, Newbury, Newmarket and York, but pride of place clearly goes to York and the final day of the Dante Meeting, with the Yorkshire Cup over 1 3/4 miles at 16.15 as the main feature. Even with only 6 runners this looks competitive, and the smart stayer Brown Panther (Tom Dascombe/ Richard Kinsgcote), winner of the Irish St. Leger last year and this year of the Dubai Gold Cup, will have a tough task in conceding 5 lbs and more all round. Havana Beat (Andrew Balding/ David Probert) finished fourth in Dubai. but will be much closer on these terms, but the two most dangerous opponents are Romsdal (John Gosden/ William Buick) and Snow Sky (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore), 2nd and 3rd in the Doncaster St. Leger last year. Snow Sky has not run since finishing well behind ín the Breeders Cup, but Romsdal has already shown good form this year, and with the Gosden stable in such good form at this meeting, is the logical selection.

Gosden also has good prospects of taking the listed fillies mile race half an hour hour later, where both his runners Sperry (James Doyle) and Yasmeem (Paul Hanagan) have chances. Both won well last time, but while Sperry´s success was in a better race, we just prefer Yasmeem, who won a Newbury maiden in very promising style. The Queen´s Pack Together (Richard Hannon/ Ryan Moore) looks next best.

As always, the handicaps look extremely difficult, but last year´s winner Dusky Queen (Richard Fahey/ Sammy Bell) can possibly follow up under top weight in the 7 furlongs fillies race at 17.50, while the same trainers´s Duke of Clarence (Hanagan) can go close again in the 1 1/2 milke handicap at 15.40, in which he was runner-up last year. Several of the fancied runners here are unproven at the distance, while we know that he stays well and he ran well enough last time in the Chester Cup over a much longer trip.

Dante Stakes at York

The Dante Stakes over 10 furlongs at 16.15 CET is the main feature at York today and is course the top race of the meeting. It is also the most reliable Derby trial of all (although it is 8 years since the winner went on to score at Epsom) and more significant than ever this year, following the very inconclusive results of the earlier trials; the field of 8 also includes the 3 current ante-post favourites for the Derby in Jack Hobbs (John Gosden/ Frankie Dettori), John F Kennedy (Aidan O´Brien/ Ryan Moore) and Elm Park (Andrew Balding/ Andrea Atzeni), and the picture is further muddled by the fact that both Gosden and O´Brien have another runner today in Golden Horn (William Buick) and Ol´Man River (Joseph O´Brien) and it is not at all clear which is the main hope. Both of Gosden´s runners are unbeaten in two starts, and while Jack Hobbs -named after a famous cricketer- is shorter in the betting, Golden Horn, who may be aimed at the French Derby, has actually the better form and is also higher rated. Both the O´Brien hopes flopped on their seasonal debut, JFK when last of 3 on bad ground at long odds-on, and Ol´Man River when tailed off in the 2,000 Guineas, but can be expected to do much better today on this better ground. However the one to beat is surely Elm Park, who showed continual improvement last year before he signed off with a good win in the Racing Post Trophy; he is the only runner in today´s field making his seasonal debut, but should not be a worry with the stable in good form, and if he wins today he will almost certainly start a proper favourite at Epsom.

The main supporting feature is the Group Two Middleton Stakes over the same trip for fillies and mares at 15.40 and this has attracted a strong field. One has to wonder why the Group One performers Ribbons (James Fanshawe/ Tom Queally) and Secret Gesture (Ralph Beckett/ Atzeni) have been kept in training. Ribbons easily beat Secret Gesture in last year´s Prix Romanet, but is now 3 lbs worse off, and the latter, runner-up in the Engllsh and German Oaks in 2013, is preferred today on this faster ground. Madame Chiang (David Simcock/ Jim Crowley) is also penalised for winning an Ascot Group One on heavy ground and will find conditions totally different today. Bragging (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore), very consistent in lower grade races last year, showed marked improvement to win a similar event at Newmarket last time and, coming from a stable with an excellent record here, is a danger to all.

York Dante Festival starts today

York´s 3-day Dante Festival starts today, always one of the best meetings of the year and featuring important classic trials for the Oaks and Derby. Today´s main feature is the Musidora Stakes for 3yo fillies over 10 furlongs + at 16.45, but it has only a small field of 5 runners, and of them only two look likely to be serious Oaks contenders- Together Forever (Aidan O´Brien/ Ryan Moore) and Star of Seville (John Gosden/ Frankie Dettori). Together Forever is penalised as she won the Fillies Mile last autumn and has not run since; she is difficult to assess as the form of that race does not look brilliant and the inconsistent form of some of O´Brien´s top 3yo´s is also a cause for concern - especially as he has never won this race despite plenty of tries. Gosden however has taken it 3 times and we easily prefer his filly, a good winner at Newbury last month. It is difficult to make a case for the others, although Pandora (Charlie Hills/ William Buick), an easy winner of a Doncaster maiden in March could be worth a try in this much better company.

The other big race here is the Group Two Duke of York Stakes over 6 furlongs at 16.15. This has a big field and looks tricky, as there are some unexposed types running who could well go on to much better things. Lightning Moon (Ed Walker/ Buick) for example, winner of all his 3 starts last season and now running in Godolphin´s blue colours. Muthmir (William Haggas/ Paul Hanagan) finished last year with a convincing win in a top handicap, while Naadirr (Marco Botti/ Martin Harley) was also very progressive and has started off 2015 with a listed win over Astaire, who went on to win a similar event at Newmarket. French challenger Gammarth (Henri-Alex Pantall/ Dettori), runner-up in the Benazet-Rennen at Baden-Baden last year and in the Goldene Peitsche the previous season, also has a chance, but on the whole we prefer Naadirr.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Mahsoob - Field Of Fame - First Flight
2. Race: Polybius - Tatlisu - Bogart
3. Race: Astaire - Naadirr - Muthmir
4. Race: Together Forever - Pandora - Amaze Me
5. Race: Foreign Diplomat - Mount Tahan - King To Be
6. Race: Dheban - Black Magic - Ravenhoe
7. Race: Osaruveetil - Libran - Gabrial The Duke

7 meetings today

Plenty of racing today, but all at a very low level. There are 4 meetings over jumps, and the only flat racing is at Beverley this afternoon and Killarney in Ireland and Chelmsford on the all-weather this evening.

Beverley is alsways difficult for punters, as it is hard to tell in advance where the best ground is, although a low draw is generally an advantage. More important on this tricky track with its uphill finish is previous CD experience, and we therefore go for Amenable (Conor Dore/ Hayley Turner) and Chocá´Moca (Paul Midgeley/ Graham Lee) in the two divisions of the 5 furlongs handicap at 15.55 CET and 16.25 respectively. Both are CD winners and Amenable actually won this race last year. Both are 8-year-olds but in our opinion older sprinters can keep their form better than than the youngsters, so we also like 11-year-old Regal Parade (Charlie Wallis/ Luke Morris) in the 6 furlongs handicap at Chelmsford at 21.35 this evening. As a class 3 race, this is the best race of the day, although not many of the runners are in good form. Regal Parade has however run two good races over this CD and can give his new trainer a first success.

Jessica Harrington is better known as a jumps trainer., but she also does pretty well on the flat and we expect her Out Of Context (Fran Berry) to take the filllies maiden at 19.10 at Killarney, where they race on the flat today after two days of N.H. racing. The first 5 (of 7) races are all run over the same distance of 8 1/2 furlongs, which does not show much imagination on the part of the Irish racing authorities.

It is hard to get excited about any of today´s jumps races, but if the ground continues to dry out, German-bred Pindar (Julie Foster/ Dougie Costello) would have a decent chance in the 2 mile handicap chase at 17.45 at Sedgefield. He is only 2 lbs higher than when easily winning a similar race over this CD last September.

Listed race at Windsor this evening

This afternoon´s racing is not very exciting, but there is a good card at Windsor this evening, with the Royal Windsor Stakes over a mile at 20.20 CET the main feature. Intransigent (Andrew Balding/ Oisin Murphy) won 2 listed races last year but they were at 6 furlongs and he has never yet run over a mile. In any case we doubt that he can concede weight to Baltic Knight (Richard Hannon/ Ryan Moore) or Clon Brulee (Saeed bin Suroor/ James Doyle), let alone Shifting Power (Hannon/ Richard Hughes), who is clear best on official ratings. He was fourth in last year´s 2,000 Guineas and ran well in several other top races, and although well beaten on his seasonal debut, he is the clear pick now. There are 6 non-runners in the 10 furlongs maiden here at 19.20, possibly because of the firm ground, but also possibly because Genres (John Gosden/ Ryan Moore) has scared them off; certainly he looks hard to beat after his excellent debut at Lingfield last time. Moore can also take the 3yo handicap at 20.50 on Sir Michael Stoute´s Conflicting Advice, although we are not sure if his owner is going to walk down the hill from her castle to watch the race.

There is also a decent jumps card this evening in Ireland, where the Killarney meeting goes into its second day. The most interesting runner in our view is Chamonix (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien) in the opening maiden hurdle over 2 1/2 miles at 18.05. He has a great pedigree and was regarded as a major prospect in 2012, when he did in fact win 3 races on the flat - all ridden by Joseph. Things then went wrong, and he now makes his debut over sticks and could well win at the first time of asking. The O´Brien´s run Plinth in the following hurdle race at 18.40 and he should also go well, but he may not be able to concede the weight to Ted Veale (Tony Martin/ Ruby Walsh), who has been running in top chases but is also pretty smart over hurdles. Ruby can round off the day by winning twice for Willie Mullins - on Childrens List at 19.10 and on Tennis Cap an hour later.

classic trials in Ireland

there are just two low-level N.H. meetings in the U.K. today, and also Irish jumping, with big fields, at Killarney, but the big meeting is is the sole flat card at Leopardstown, with 3 group races.

The Derrinstown Derby Trial over 10 furlongs at 16.40 CET is the main feature and this race is usually targeted by Aidan O´Brien who has won it 9 times this century, with 3 of the winners going on to score at Epsom. To be frank, this outcome looks unlikely this time as it does not appear that his two runners, both ridden by sons of his, are at the top of his Derby list. Joseph rides his main hope Order of St. George and Donnacha Cradle Mountain, but on form Success Days (Keith Condon/ Shane Foley), an easy CD winner last time, looks a stronger candidate. The Aga Khan filly Summaya /Dermot Weld/ Liam Roche) could be the fly in the ointment; Weld, whose main jockey Pat Smullen is suspended, has taken out his main Derby hope because of the very soft ground, but this filly, despite her last time defeat, is an interesting prospect, especially with the stable in such great form.

Weld and Roche have an even better chance in the 1,000 Guineas Trial half an hour earlier with Stormfly, who has won both her starts this year with great authority. Kissed by Angels (Seamie Heffernan)was beaten in a maiden last time, but still looks the better of the two O´Brien runners, but both she and Stellar Glow (Jim Bolger/ Kevin Manning) need to improve quite a bit to threaten the Weld runner.

The other Group race is the Amethyst Stakes over a mile at 15.40. Flight Risk (Bolger/ Manning) was 50-1 when winning a similar race last time but will be a much shorter price now, even though some of those behind her, notably Sruthan (Paul Deegan/ Chris Hayes) can be fancied to reverse the form on 3 lbs better terms. However it could be that OnenightIdreamed (Tommy Stack/ Wayne Lordan) an easy winner last time of the Irish Lilcolnshire from 22 opponents,, is the main danger. He is moving up in class but seems much improved judged on that race.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Ard San Aer - Lady Oak - Stamp Hill
2. Race: Flight Risk - Alive Alive Oh - Onenightidreamed
3. Race: Stellar Glow - Devonshire - Off Limits
4. Race: Cradle Mountain - Order Of St George - Carbon Dating
5. Race: Lean And Keen - Beau Satchel - Bobby Jean
6. Race: Ceylon - Maskoon - Coolfighter
7. Race: Bondi Beach - Crossandra - Slaney River Run

Lingfield: Derby/ Oaks trials and German raider

a very busy Saturday, with competitive racing all over. Please note that there has been more heavy rain and the ground will be much softer than expected, especially at Nottingham, Haydock and Hexham, hence many non-runners. However there has been no rain in the south, and the going should be good (even fast) at Ascot and Lingfield.
That should be good news for Peter Schiergen, whose 3yo filly Phoibe (Andrasch Starke) runs in the Group Three Chartwell Fillies Stakes over 7 furlongs at 17.05 CET at Lingfield. She won a maiden at Magdeburg last tme and obviously much more will be required today, but Schiergen won the race last year with Emerald Star and reports this one to be just as good. However she is up against some smart fillies, with fellow 3yo New Providence (Hugo Palmer/ Ryan Moore) only just touched off in the Nell Gwyn, while Lightning Thunder (Olly Stevens/ Andrea Atzeni) was runner-up in the 1,000 Guineas at both Newmarket and the Curragh last year. French hope Fresles (Pia Brandt/ Gregory Benoist) won a good race here on the all-weather at Easter, but to our mind the best of the 4yo´s are Kiyoshi (Charlie Hills/ Oisin Murphy) and Al Thakhira (Marco Botte/ Frankie Dettori). The former has a 4 lbs penalty for winning at Doncaster last September with the latter third, so there should not be much in it this time.
The two classic trials have been demoted to listed status, but could still play a role at Epsom, and this goes especially for the Derby Trial at 15.55 where Christophermarlowe (John Gosden/ Dettori) is one of the favourites for Epsom. He is unbeaten in 3 starts and looks a big prospect. He is part-owned by Coomore who also run Kilimanjaro (Aidan O´Brien/ Ryan Moore), who won a maiden at Dundalk last time; he is an unknown quantity but will have to step up considerably on that form here
O´Brien and Moore should certainly take the Oaks Trial at 15.20, as their candidate Wedding Vow, still a maiden, was runner-up to 1,000 Guineas winner Legatissimo last time. Ralph Beckett has a good record here, and his Bellajeu (Atzeni), up in distance now, could well be the main danger although she too is a maiden. The two German-breds here are both winners, but need to improve in this company: Affielo (Daniel Kübler/ Richard Kingscote) has won twice at Wolverhampton, while Vive Ma Fille (Mark Johnston/ William Buick) could not win a Pontefract handicap last time, although she is a sister to Vif Monsieur.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Archimedes - Strong Challenge - Riflescope
2. Race: Toujours L`amour - Supreme Occasion - Affileo
3. Race: Bartholomew Fair - Kilimanjaro - Magic Dancer
4. Race: Flag War - One Pekan - Nancy From Nairobi
5. Race: Lightning Thunder - Kiyoshi - Al Thakhira
6. Race: Tigers Tale - Captain Bob - Mime Dance
7. Race: Baltic Brave - After The Sunset - Zeshov

non-runners at Chester

today sees the third and final day of Chester´s May Meeting, but there are lots of non-runners as a result of yesterday´s unexpected rain and the ground is much softer than originally expected. Punters are urged to check before placing their bets, as there are also quite a few non-runners at the other meetings as well.

We are now left with only 4 runners in the Dee Stakes over 10 furlongs at 15.40 CET, another Derby trial, which has been won for the past 3 years by Aidan O´Brien. He now saddles Smugglers Cove (Ryan Moore), who was third in last year´s Dewhurst, clearly the best form on offer here. He has only run over 7 furlongs so far, but on pedigree should get this trip. It is interesting that Moore rides him rather than Sir Michael Stoute´s Disegno, who will now be partnered by Ted Durcan, but that one looks the main danger, although Prince Gagarin (Ed Dunlop/ Adam Kirby) would be the one to benefit if the others do have stamina limitations.

The Ormonde Stakes over 1 mile 5 furlongs at 16.10 is for older horses and the field includes one of the best stayers in Europe in Tac de Boitron (Marco Botti/ Martin Harley). This trip could be on the short side but he won here last year over 1 1 /2 miles and the soft ground is just what he needs to show his best form. He should win, but has to concede 7 lbs to the others, and Windshear (Richard Hannon/ Moore) certainly looks a danger at these weights - he was 4th in the St. Leger last year.

Even with depleted fields, the handicaps look very tricky, but we do fancy Arnold Lane (Mick Channon/ Sam Hitchcott) in the opening 7 1/2 furlongs race at 15.10. He is on a long losing run, in fact his last success was in Munich´s Silberne Peitsche 2 years ago, but he is now very well handicapped, he likes the ground and is a CD winner.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Alejandro - Marcret - Arnold Lane
2. Race: Smuggler`s Cove - Disegno - Prince Gagarin
3. Race: Tac de Boistron - Windshear - Big Orange
4. Race: Wanting - Snap Shots - Anonymous John
5. Race: Intisaab - Can`t Change It - Showboating
6. Race: Vibe Queen - Haalan - Neutron Bomb
7. Race: Wildes - The Character - English Summer

Chester Vase the highlight today

the Chester May Meeting continues with the Chester Vase over 1 1/2 miles at 16.10 CET the main feature. This is a significant Derby trial, especially as it is run over the full Derby distance. Aidan O´Brien has won it 5 times in the last 8 years, including with subsequent Epsom scorer Ruler of the World, and has good chances again with Hans Holbein (Ryan Moore), moving up sharply in grade after easily winning a Leopardstown maiden. He is however quoted at 50-1 for the Derby, so is apparently not one of the stable´s main hopes, while a similar type Sir Isaac Newton flopped here yesterday, so we would not go steaming in here. We still expect him to win as he appears to have considerable scope for improvement, while his main rivals on form, Future Empire (Saeed bin Suroor/ James Doyle) and Medrano (David Brown/ Graham Lee) look fairly exposed.

The other group race here is the Huxley Stakes for older horses over 10 furlongs at 15.40. This is as tight as any handicap, with only one pound separating 5 of the 6 runners. Windhoek (Bin Suroor/ Doyle), as a Group Two winner in Turkey last year, has to concede 5 lbs to his rivals, which makes things difficult, and Godolphin´s first string Maverick Wave (John Gosden/ William Buick) looks the main danger to the likely favourite Cannock Chase (Sir Michael Stoiute/ Ryan Moore). Air Pilot (Ralph Beckett/ Richard Kingscote) won a listed race at Newmarket last time and is another possible.

A couple of German-breds of interest here are the mare Tahira (John Quinn/ Philipp Makin) in the opening 10 furlongs handicap and Kyrenia´s Castle (David and Adrian Nicholls) in the 6 furlongs handicap at 17.55. We are not convinced by the latter, who seems best on the all-weather, but Tahira, trained by Uwe Stech to win two valuable sales races in 2013, is interesting, as she has been dropped in the weights after a fruitless 2014 campaign and now looks well handicapped, although this is a very tricky race.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Collaboration - Gabrial`s Kaka - Tres Coronas
2. Race: Cannock Chase - Air Pilot - Maverick Wave
3. Race: Future Empire - Hans Holbein - Tannaaf
4. Race: Geordie George - Pleiades - Billy Slater
5. Race: Raj To Riches - Young John - High Speed
6. Race: Northgate Lad - Cartmell Cleave - Johnny B Goode
7. Race: Modernism - Empress Ali - Ardmay

Chester May Meeting starts today

Today sees the start of the historic May Meeting at Chester, one of the world´s oldest racecourses, with the valuable Chester Cup, a handicap over 2 1/4 miles at 16.10 CET as the main feature. Chester is a very tight track and a draw above 12 is a huge disadvantage, while another factor to bear in mind is that leading local owner Dr. Mawan Koukash always targets this meeting and has won his race for the last 2 years. This does not make it much easier for punters, as he has 5 runners today, including the first 2 from last year Suegioo (Marco Botti/ Ryan Moore) and Angel Gabrial (Richard Fahey/ Jamie Spencer); however the former is badly drawn and the latter has a huge weight this time. Gabrial´s King (Fahey/ Franny Norton) looks to have the best chance of his runners now, but was well beaten last year and is also held by Trip to Paris (Ed Dunlop/ Graham Lee) on latest form. Dunlop also runs Mubaraza (Dane O´Neill), 4th last year and well handicapped on that form, although his later efforts were not so good. Buthelezi (Brian Ellison/ Ben Curtis) looks dangerous, as do the Irish runners Quick Jack (Tony Martin/ Richard Hughes) and Zafayan (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen), both of whom have also decent form over hurdles. This is a really tricky race, in which luck in running will play a major part, but we hope that Mubaraza is back in form and make him the selection.

The only black type race of the day is the listed Cheshire Oaks at 15.40. Aidan O´Brien has won this 3 times in the past 7 years and now sends Diamondsandrubies (Ryan Moore), who is probably not one of his best fillies but could still be good enough. Victoria Pollard (Andrew Balding/ David Probert) won a maiden race at Newbury in nice style and although this is a much better race, could be the main danger. O´Brien and Moore should certainly have a winner today as Sir Isaac Newton can hardly be opposed in the maiden at 17.20. He is probably the best horse running today and is well fancied for the Derby (in which the stable has of course several other possibles); he is very well bred, was a good runner-up on his only start so far, and it will be quite a surprise if he cannot lose his maiden tag now.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Rah Rah - Silver Wings - Astley Hall
2. Race: Diamondsandrubies - Victoria Pollard - Sweet Dream
3. Race: Quick Jack - Gabrial`s King - Zafayan
4. Race: B Fifty Two - Blithe Spirit - Come On Dave
5. Race: Keble - Baylay - Mr Quicksilver
6. Race: Normal Equilibrium - Dutch Masterpiece - Masamah
7. Race: Secateur - Hernandoshideaway - Recently Acquired

Heavy overnight rain

There has been heavy overnight rain in many parts of Britain and Ireland and the going will be significantly softer at most of today´s 6 meetings than forecast. Punters should certainly bear this in mind today.

Brighton has the only flat racing this afternoon and this is not a nice place to be in bad weather.The 10 furlongs handicap at 17.20 CET is the best race of the day - not that that is saying much- and all 8 runners are in with a chance. Boonga Roogeta (Peter Charalambous/ Rosie Jessop) won this last year and although put up for winning on the all-weather recently, is still well handicapped. He is not the most consistent, but runs his best races for this rider and must have decent prospects of winning again. Puzzle Times (Giles Bravery/ Richard Hiughes) and Elbereth (Andrew Balding/ David Probert), having his first race on turf, look the main dangers.

There is jumps racing this afternoon at Fakenham and Sedgefield, with some small fields, especially at the former track, where there are only 4 runners in the two main events. However the novice hurdle over 3 miles at 16.00 is still an interesting event. Driftashore( Andrew Turnell (Miss B Hampson) won a maiden race at Ffos Las last time, but now has to concede 6 lbs to Hunt Ball (Nicky Henderson/ Andrew Tinkler) and Shwaiman (Willie Jarvis/ Trevor Whelan), which may be beyond him. The latter has shown talent over hurdles and was a smart stayer on the flat, even running (unplaced!) in the Gold Cup; however the rain is not ideal and we easily prefer Hunt Ball, who has not shone over sticks so far but is a smart chaser and showed he was coming back to form when 4th of 30 off a high weight in the Topham at the Grand National Meeting at Aintree.

The card at Sedgefield is poor, but we like Urban Gale (Jodie Foster/ John Dawson) in the long distance handicap hurdle at 17.40; he is very slow, but so are all the others, but he is a CD winner and is one of the few who can be guaranteed to stay the trip in these conditions. Thos evening we expect German-bred Sternrubin to finally get his head in front after 4 second places in the maiden hurdle at 18.50 at Exeter, while in Ireland Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh - recently crowned Irish champions yet again- can continue their winning run at Ballinrobe. One of their main hopes is Totally Dominant at 19.40 and that name just about sums up their current position in Irish N.H. racing.

Brighton - betting forecast:
1. Race: Fujiano - Hurricane Alert - Margot Rose
2. Race: Chevallier - Major Pusey - Mrs Eve
3. Race: Mister Musicmaster - Ocean Legend - Sarangoo
4. Race: Pick A Little - Baileys En Premier - Admirable Art
5. Race: Puzzle Time - Lady Marl - Tears Of The Sun
6. Race: Iseemist - Royal Warrior - Ginzan
7. Race: Glennten - Polydamos - Tamujin

group races at the Curragh

it´s a bank holiday today, which means lots of low-level racing - on the flat at Bath. Beverley and Windsor and over jumps at Down Royal, Kempton and Warwick, but easily the best racing comes from the Curragh, which presents a high class card featuring two group races.

The most interesting runner today is Found (Aidan O´Brien/ Ryan Moore) who runs in the Athasi Stakes for 3yo´s and up for fillies and mares over 7 furlongs at 16.15 CET. She is one of 4 3yo´s in the field who should certainly dominate the older runners. Found was just about the best juvenile filly in Europe last year, easily winning the Marcel Boussac, and was throughout the winter ante-post favourite for the 1,000 Guineas yesterday. However she had reportedly suffered a slight setback and was a surprise withdrawal from that race - won by another Coolmore filly ridden by Moore- preferring to go for this lower grade event. In theory she should win this easily, but there has to be a slight doubt - especially on the heavy ground- so we today fancy Shahzeena (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen), who is taking a huge leap in class after winning a Cork maiden on heavy going a month ago. However this trainer knows what he is doing and would not be running her in a group race without reason. Another 3yo Stellar Glow (Jim Bolger/ Kevin Manning), placed on all 3 starts last season, looks next best.

The Mooresbridge Stakes over 10 furlongs for older horses at 17.25 has been won by O´Brien for the past 6 years, but he has no runner today and only 4 go to post, of whom two probably have no chance. That leaves just two, Parish Hall (Bolger/ Manning) and Fascinating Rock (Weld/ Smullen). The former is a real CD specialist, winning a similar race here last time and has been twice placed in this event. However the ground is against him and we don´t believe that he can concede weight to Weld´s much less exposed runner in any case; this one was well beaten in both the English and Irish Derby last year, but seems to have everything in his favour today.
Weld, Bolger and O´Brien all have runners in the listed Tetrarch Stakes over 7 furlongs for 3yo´s at 15.40, but this looks quite a tricky race and our preference is for Endless Drama (Ger Lyons/ Andrea Atzeni), who won his only start at 2 and finished runner-up to a Weld hotpot on his only start this season.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Mimicking - State Of Emergency - Blood Moon
2. Race: Tombelaine - Endless Drama - The Warrior
3. Race: Stellar Glow - Shahzeena - Alive Alive Oh
4. Race: Laviniad - Bobby Jean - Princess Glamour
5. Race: Parish Hall - Fascinating Rock - Waltzing Matilda
6. Race: Stronger Than Me - Nancy Rose - Tsundoku
7. Race: Shanghai Beauty - Congressman - Iffraja

1,000 Guineas at Newmarket

A very open race for the 1,000 Guineas is in prospect this afternoon at 16.40 CET at Newmarket, with bookmakers currently going 5-1 the field. There has been some rain this morning, but the going is still likely to be on the fast side.

Favourite is Lucida (Jim Bolger/ Kevin Manning), who won the Rockfel here last September, beating Fadhayyil (Barry Hills/ Paul Hanagan).Lucida was subsequently well beaten in the Fillies Mile and we would not be surprised to see Fadhayyil take her revenge today. Aidan O´Brien has rather surprisingly taken out his more fancied fillies and left in only the outsider Qualify, with son Joseph up, while Ryan Moore has been booked for the same owners´ Legatissimo and that one has to come on the short list and possibly give the jockey a Guineas double.

Osaila (Richard Hannon/ Frankie Dettori) won the Nell Gwyn here, while the other major trial, the Fred Darling, also over 7 furlongs, was won by Redstart (Ralph Beckett/ Pat Dobbs) from jellicle Ball (John Gosden/ William Buick) and Tiggy Wiggy (Hannon/ Hughes). On 2yo form of course Tiggy Wiggy would win this, but we don´t believe that she stays a mile and will therefore leave her out; in fact Jellicle Ball ran a really good trial in our eyes and could come out best of these; she and Fadhayyil are out two against the field, although Legatissimo is an obvious threat.

It´s a day for filles at Newmarket and the main supporting feature is the Dahlia Stakes over 9 furlongs at 15.25, in which Longona (Peter Schiergen/ Andrasch Starke) represents Germany. She won the Diana-Trial at Hoppegarten last year and was also placed in the Diana itself. This is her best distance and we expect here to run well, but she faces some very strong opposition, notably the very smart Fintry (André Fabre/ Mikael Barzalona) and Royal Ascot winner Rizheena (Clive Brittain/ Buick).

The listed Pretty Polly at 17.50 is also for fillies and is often a good guide to Oaks prospects. Best of these on ratings is Winter Moon (Saeed bin Suroor/ James Doyle), third in the Filies Mile, but we prefer two unexposed fillies who were easy maiden winners last time and are now moving up in grade, Jazzi Zop (Gosden/ Dettori) and Zannda (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen).