Short holiday

This column is now taking a short holiday and hopes to be back on Thursday October 16th.

One race to look forward to is Saturday´s Cesarewitch at 16.50 CET at Newmarket. This 2 1/4 mile handicap is always one of the fiercest betting races of the year and is often won by a horse with a hurdling background. The ante-post favourite Quick Jack (Tony Martin/ Richard Hughes) comes into that category, but our fancy is German-bred Big Easy (Philip Hobbs/ Tom Queally), who is out of a Monsun mare and was only beaten a neck in the trial race over this CD. He runs off the same rating tomorrow, while the Irish raider has been raised 9 lbs for winning at Galway at the end of July, his only flat race this year.

Cheltenham runners at Newton Abbot

the intermediate chase over 2 3/4 miles at 16.55 CET at Newton Abbot is the most interesting race today, with all 5 runners having been out at the Cheltenham Festival. Taquin Du Seuil (Jonjo O´Neill/ Richie McLernon) did best there, winning the big novice chase with Double Ross (Nigel Twiston-Davies/ Jamie Moore) third and Wonderful Charm (Paul Nicholls/ Sam Twiston-Davies) fifth. Nicholls´´second runner Black Thunder (Nick Scholfield) fell in the other novice chase, while Colour Squadron (Philip Hobbs/ Tony McCoy) was third in the Byrne Group Plate. It is not at the time of writing clear whether AP will be able to ride after his fall yesterday, but Colour Squadron- despite the fact that he has not won for almost 3 years- is in any case our selection, as he receives a masssive weight allowance from the other runners.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Arenice Et Pictons - Polamco - Sykes
2. Race: Turn Over Sivola - Little Jon - Surprise Us
3. Race: Any Given Day - Sound Investment - Uncle Jimmy
4. Race: Colour Squadron - Taquin Du Seuil - Double Ross
5. Race: Petrovic - Taggia - Our Maimie
6. Race: Abbeygrey - Milosam - Tuskar Rock
7. Race: Northandsouth - Dashing Oscar - Act Now

5 more poor meetings today

another day with mainly low grade racing at all 5 tracks. The going at Ayr is soft after the recent rain and horses drawn high possibly have an advantage. We therefore select Jumbo Steps (Jim Goldie/ Graham Lee) and The Nifty Fox (Tim Easterby/ James Sullivan) in the two divisions of the 6 furlongs handicap at 16.10 CET and 16.40 respectively. The best race here is the 7 furlongs handicap at 18.10. Trixie Malone (Karl Burke/ Peter McDonald) is coming off a 5 months break, but shows her best form of the soft and has been first or second on her last 7 starts. She can continue that sequence, while Secret Recipe (David Nicholls/ Paddy Aspell) is the dark horse here; he won twice on heavy ground in Ireland, but has been well beaten on all his U.K. starts; he is now very nicely handicapped and a return to this going may bring about a revival in his form.
There are 3 jumps meetings., with Exeter starting off for the season with some small fields. The going is still fast there, which should suit Irish raider Landau (Gordon Elliott/ Jason Maguire) in the novice hurdle at 17.20; As the only winner, he has to give weight away, but has by far the best form.
Most of the top N.H. jockeys are at Worcester, and AP McCoy can have another good day. El Macca at 17.00 and Highpower half an hour later are both unexposed types running in the McManus colours and look the most interesting of the champion´s 5 rides.
Ruby Walsh has won on both his mounts since returning to action last week. At Tramore he again has just one ride, Old Castletown for his father at 15.45 and can remain unbeaten in the new season.

Betting forecast Ayr:
1. Race: Battleranger - Sir Chauvelin - Woofie
2. Race: Captain Revelation - Mighty Warrior - Westhoughton
3. Race: Jumbo Steps - Spirit Of Alsace - Methaaly
4. Race: Captain Scooby - Cahal - Bearskin
5. Race: Margrets Gift - Fredricka - Red Forever
6. Race: Schmooze - Harrison`S Cave - Latin Rebel
7. Race: Trixie Malone - Alexandrakollontai - Evanescent
8. Race: Secret City - Rioja Day - Pitt Rivers