Jumping in Britain and Ireland

There is also plenty of N.H. action in Britain, with jumps meetings at Hexham and Hereford, and mixed meetings in Ireland at Gowran Park and Down Royal. At the last-named track, yesterday´s rain should prove ideal for ex-German Kalderon, who appears to have a simple task in the opening hurdle race at 15.15 CET. Main feature here is the Ulster Oaks, but despite its high-faluting title, this is only a modest handicap over 10 1/2 furlongs for fillies and mares. Dancera, another ex-German performer, runs for the first time in Ireland but is difficult to assess. Jim Bolger´s Angels Story, partnered by Paul Harley´s nephew Martin, has an obvious chance, while Kevin Prendergast´s Fikrah, ridden by Declan McDonogh, one of the few senior jockeys in action here, looks a big danger. At Gowran Park, Pillar of Hercules (Pat Hughes/ Paddy Flood) has finally found form and can complete a hat-trick in the handicap hurdle at 17.35. Hereford and Hexham both feature large fields of mainly moderate performers, although there are only 8 runners in Hexham´s class 3 handicap hurdle at 16.50, which can go to top-weight The Rocking Dock (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire). Hereford´s top race is also a class 3 handicap hurdle, and the field of 16 includes 3 German-breds, top-weight Cortinas (Charlie Mann/ Noel Fehily), Twist Bookie (Sam Lycett/ Keith Mercer) and Federstar (Milton Harris/ Charlie Poste). The weather could play a role here, as Cortinas likes it form and Federstar needs cut in the ground. Last-time-out winner Mango Catcher (Rebecca Curtis/ Nick Scholfield) looks the one to beat.