Fairyhouse and Sedgefield

Both Fairyhouse and Sedgefield have passed an early morning inspection and racing is on at both tracks. Ruby Walsh, as so often, looks the jockey to follow at the Irish track. He can win the novice hurdle at 15.25 CET on Willie Mullins´ Arvika Ligeonniere, the handicap hurdle at 16.25 on Tony Martin´s ex-German Le Marquis and the handicap chase at 17.25 on his father´s Seabass. He should also go close in the beginners chase at 16.55 with Mullins´ Kempes, but here we prefer Nicanor (Noel Meade/ Paul Carberry); both were smart hurdlers but on overall form Nicanor should have the edge.

The going will be very heavy at Sedgefield, but that should not stop Tilt (Brian Ellison/ Keith Mercer) from defying a penalty in the novice hurdle at 15.40; he was quite useful on the flat and has shown talent over hurdles. The beginners chase here at 16.10 has only 5 runners, but looks quite tight. Ferdy Murphy has his team in good form, so Riguez Dancer( Graham Lee) should be involved, but Middleton Dene (Rose Dobbin/ Keith Renwick), who has been off since October, stays well, goes on the heavy and was the better over sticks, so he is the selection.