N.H. racing at Bangor, Folkestone and Downpatrick (N. Ireland)

2 so-called "Grand Nationals" today, at Folkestone over 3 miles 7 furlongs at 17.10 CET and at Downpatrick over 3 1/2 miles at 16.45. The Ulster National is the better race, but neither event is likely to have any impact on the real thing at Aintree. At Downpatrick, our short list includes Hume River (Jessica Harrington/ Robbie Power), O´Muircheartaigh (Edward O´Grady/ Barry Geraghty) and Sigma Lifestyle (Noel Meade/ Davy Condon), but beware of course specialist News Item (George Stewart/ John Cullen), who has won this race twice before. Also at Downpatrick, watch out for wonderful Nina Carberry who makes her comeback from a foot injury on Meade´s Jim Bowie in the bumper at 18.15.

At Folkestone, we expect bottom-weight Ya I know (Sarah Humphrey/ Richard Johnson) to play a leading role; he won last time out at Bangor and can confirm the form with runner-up Tarquinius (Charlie Mann/ Peter Toole). The Bangerman (Nigel Twiston-Davies/ Paddy Brennan), behind on that occasion, and Topless (Neil Mulholland/ Dougie Costello) also have chances. German-bred Wiesenfürst (Gary Moore/ Eamonn Dehdashti) ran well after a long break last time and can win the 2 mile handicap chase here at 16.10, with Ballymorn (Henrietta Knight/ Andrew Thornton) the main danger.

Catterick, Leicester and Lingfield (a.w.)

Catterick has passed an early morning inspection, but the situation is less clear at Leicester, where a second inspection is to be held later. Should Leicester go ahead, we expect Caroline Bailey and Andrew Thornton to have a good day. They team up with Wherrimon, an easy CD winner last time, in the handicap chase at 15.50 CET, and German-bred Early Wings, who had top-weight in the handicap hurdle half an hour later.

Early Wings is dropping in grade here, and despite the presence of several in-form opponents, may be able to concede the weight. Wherrimon has Thedreamstillalive (Jim Old/ Timmy Murphy) to beat, who was runner-up here last time over shorter to Cesium (Tom George/ Sam Thomas), who reappears in the handicap chase at 17.50, so we should know what that form is worth. There are only 4 runners in the novice chase at 16.50. In theory Blazing Bailey (Alan King/ Robert Thornton) should win this easily, but he has not been as convincing over fences as he was over hurdles. However he gets weight from his principal opponents and it will be a surprise of he is beaten.

At Catterick, the most interesting event is the 2 mile handicap chase at 16.00. Desperate Dex (Ferdy Murphy/ Graham Lee) is lightly raced for a 10 yr old, and has only run twice in the last 20 months, winning both times. He must have a good chance off bottom weight here, but Carrietau (Ferdy Murtagh/ Ryan Mania) and Drever Route (Howard Johnson/ Denis O´Regan) look tough opponents; they met over this CD earlier this year, with the former coming out in top, but Drever Route may be able to revese the form on 3 lbs better terms. Good Old Thyme (Dr. Newland/ Giles Hawkins) is very consistent, and despite his poor strike rate and top-weight, he is taken to win the novice hurdle at 16.30.
At LIngfield, Mark Johnston can continue his winning run with Marius Maximus in the 3yo maiden at 15.40 and Temple Fair in the 3yo handicap at 17.10, both partnered by Joe Fanning. The 6 furlongs handicap at 16.40 looks very tricky, and all 6 runners have a chance. Richard Hannon brings back Lucky Redback (Fanning) after a break of 16 months, and if he is anywhere near his 2yo form, he can win this off his current rating.

Hereford, Plumpton and Wolverhampton (a.w.)

The best racing today comes from Hereford close to the Welsh border and Rebecca Curtis, who has an excellent strike rate here, looks the trainer to follow. She has booked Tony McCoy to ride Gus Macrae in the maiden hurdle at 17.30 CET and on the form shown when runner-up to Bellvano last time this one should score while her tant Fishoutofwater (McCoy) is aso fancied for the bumper half an hour later.

Romulus d´Artaix (Alan King/ Roert Thornton) looks the one to beat here following his second place at Cheltenham. Recif de Thaix (Paul Nicholls/ Ryan Mahon) and Awesome George (King/ Charlie Huxley) are from the best performers in their powerfiul stables but should still dominate the novice chase at 16.30, while another local specialist Venetia Williams can take the handicap hurdle at 17.00 with Argentinian-bred Distintivo (Aidan Coleman).

Venetia Williams also has a chance with Mega Watt (William Biddick) in the maiden hurdle at 15.20 at Plumpton, where racing goes ahead after an early morning inspection. However Gary Moore is usually the trainer to follow here, and he can take this with Action Impact (Philip Hide). Moore has several fancied runners at his local track, and can also dominate the handicap hurdle at 16.50, where he has two runners, Lord Singer (Joshua Moore) and Gizmondo (Joseph Akehurst). Joshua is not yet up to th standard of his elder brothers Ryan and Jamie, but is making a name for himself, and Lord Singer, who loves heavy ground, is our best bet here.

A very average card at Wolverhampton´s all-weather track. CD specialist are usually worth following here, and for that reason we like Ahlawy (Frank Sheridan/ Kieren Fox), who won 4 races here last year, in the apprentice handicap at 16.10, and Harare (Roger Price/ William Carson) half an hour later in a handicap over the extended mile; the latter is inconsistent but showed clear signs of coming back to form last time when runner up here over slightly shorter. The 3 maiden races could be interesting, but do not appeal as a betting medium as there is too little form to go on; however Clive Brittain´s Gumnd (Seb Sanders) is expected to run well in the 9 1/2 furlongs race at 17.40 after his good second place at Lingfield.