Inspections at Huntingdon, Taunton; Thurles (Ireland) abandoned

With frost and snow about, there are inspections at all 3 N.H. tracks hoping to stage racing today - Huntingdon, Taunton and Thurles in Ireland. Should racing go ahead, we hope to see Paul Nicholls land a double at Taunton with Sunwise (Nick Scholfield) and Sanctuaire (Harry Skelton) in the two divisions of the maiden hurdle at 15.30 CET and 16.30 respectively. Both are making their British debuts.

The former was last seen winning on the all-weather at Dundalk in October, while the latter was placed the same month in a large field at Auteuil. Nicholls also has a live candidate in Sang Bleu for the Triumph Hurdle, and this ex-French performer lines up under Tony McCoy in the 4yo hurdle at Huntingdon at 16.10. Unfortunately Alan King´s big Triumph hope Mille Chief misses the race, but there is still serious opposition from the unbeaten Bothy (Brian Ellison/ Krith Mercer) and Stars du Granits (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman). German-bred Nicky Nutjob will need to show considerable improvement to figure in this company.

Later: the Irish meeting at Thurles, where the temperature dropped to -9 overnight, has been abandoned

German runners in France today

The Cagnes sur mer meeting continues today with several more German-trained runners. In the first race, a 1300 metres claimer for 3yo´s at 13.20, Mario Hofer´s Sturbuck (Gaetan Masure), who had no chance last week in better company, reappears at a lower level, while the German-owned Arriba Arriba (Yannick Fertillet/ Dominique Boeuf) is also expected to go well.

Boeuf also has some promising rides for Werner Baltromei - Part of Pentire in the 2000 metres claimer at 14.20, and Sumatra Tiger in the mile handicap at 16.25, both of whom have run really well here already and can be in the money again today. Best race is the conditions race for 3yo´s over 2000 metres at 14.50, which can go to the unbeaten Ucandri (Ferland/ Julien Augé). All these races are on the fibresand track, but the 2500 metres race at 13.50 is on turf. British raider Lost Soldier Three (David Nicholls/ Ioritz Mendizibal) has won his last two races here very easily, but faces much tougher opposition now. In theory he cannot finish anywhere near the Monsun mare La Boum (Robert Collet/ Thomas Huet), who has good group race form to her credit.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Sturbuck - Arrieta - La Triste Condesa
2. Race: La Boum - Rento - Rockawango
3. Race: Kandalek - Part Of Pentire - Sunniva Duke
4. Race: Ucandri - Bahamian Box - Balerina
5. Race: Salsalavie - Nummenor - I Love Loup
6. Race: Film Set - Big Save - Caerleon Wind
7. Race: Go Directa - Sumatra Tiger - Samala
8. Race: Euro Flash - Bipe The Dust - Smoking Allowed
9. Race: De Zephyr - Indian City - Salsalava

All-weather racing at Lingfield, Southwell and Kempton

3 meetings on the all-weather today, although strictly speaking Southwell´s fixture is a mixed meeting with 3 normal flat races and 3 bumpers. There are only 4 runners in the 5 furlongs handicap at 15.05 CET, but any of them could win. Old Pawan (Ann Stokell) is always dangerous over his favourite CD but wins very rarely with his trainer in the saddle, and we prefer top-weight Indian Skipper (Richard Guest/ Billy Cray), who ran on strongly when narrowly beaten at Lingfield on Saturday.

It could be significant that top N.H.jockey Timmy Murphy rides here and he can win two of the bumpers with Donald McCain´s Pie at Midnight at 16.10 and Charlie Mann´s Rebel Rebellion at 17.10. At Lingfield, Mark Johnston and Jo Fanning can continue thir good run with th unbeaten Bowmaker in the 3yo hdocap at 16.55. In the other handicap for this age group, over a mile at 17.25, our choice is Pastel Blue (Michael Bell/ Hayley Turner), who made all for a very easy CD win last time out. The most interesting runner here is Henry Cecil´s late-developing Zerzura (Charles Eddery), who has an obvious chance in the mile handicap at 15.55.

Several of the jockeys then move on to Kempton´s twilight meeting where Joe Fanning can again ride a winner when he partners Mick Channon´s hat-trick-seeking Texas Queen in the 3yo handicap over 5 furlongs at 18.40. The 10 furlongs handicap here at 19.40 looks very tricky indeed; the consistent Poyle Meg (Ralph Beckett/ Jim Crowley) won over CD when last seen two months ago and is a tentative selection.