4 meetings today

For a change, a full programme today, with N.H. racing at Towcester and Wincanton, and all -weather flat racing this afternoon at Lingfield and this evening at Wolverhampton. However the Irish N.H. meeting at Thurles has been abandoned and it is hoped that it will be repeated next week.

The best racing is at Wincanton which has quite a decent card for a midweek fixture. Venetiua Willoiams continues in terrific form and we expect herb to be among the winners again. She has 2 runners in the veterans handicap chase over 3 miles+ at 16.10, and although stable jockey Aidan Coleman rides Pentiffic, we prefer Mon Mome (Harry Challoner), who has not won since his Grand National victory on 2009. However the handicapper has given him a real chance and dropped him to his lowest rating in ages. Last time he was beaten a long way in the Welsh Grand National, but obviously this is less tough. Michel le Bon (Paul Nicholls/ Harry Derham) also ran in that race but was pulled up; the Nicholls stable always does well at this track, but Michel seems very unreliable and we cannot fancy him under top weight. Desperate Dex (Tom George/ Paddy Brennan) won over this CD in October and had run 3 good races since; he is 4 lbs out of the handicap, but still better off with Pentiffic, wh o finished behind him at Catterick last time. Venetia also has good chances with Tenor Nivernais (Robbie Dunne) in the novice chase at 15.10, and Carrickboy (Coleman), who has top weight in the handicap chase half an hour later, after winning well at Chepstow last time; Ballyalia Man (George/ Brennan) is the obvious danger after his easy winner over this CD last time. We have backed Vic Venturi in the last 3 Grand Nationals, but he failed to complete each time; he now reappears in the hunter chase at 16.40 with top amateur Sam Waley-Cohen on board amd we hope to recover some of those losses today.

The card at Towcester is less demanding but Williams can be on the scorecard here as well with Vinnies Litle Lamb (Sam Thomas) in the mares maiden hurdle at 14.50 and Gorgehous Liiege (Liam Treadwell) at 16.50. 14yo Kinkeel, tailed off behind Sprinter Sacre last Saturday. runs in the conditional jockeys handicap chase at 15.50; this is his level and he has run well here before so he could have a chance off bottom weight on his 121st career start. Thunderstorm (Philip Hobbs/ Tony McCoy) will be hot favourite to complete a hat-trick in the handicap hurdle at 15.20, but we prefer an each-way speculation on German-bred Marleno (Tony Middleton/ Charlie Poste)., who is now well handicapped and goes on the ground.

Wincanton - betting forecast:
1. Race: Parsnip Pete - Bury Parade - Nobunaga
2. Race: Ambion Wood - Tenor Nivernais - Milans Well
3. Race: Ballyallia Man - Carrickboy - Arthurian Legend
4. Race: Michel Le Bon - Master Overseer - Pentiffic
5. Race: Nicto De Beauchene - Vic Venturi - Mobaasher
6. Race: Big Occasion - Flying Award - Alderluck

Weather outlook

With further rain expected this week on top of the snow last week and subsequent thaw, the going remains very heavy at all turf tracks in Britain and Ireland with waterlogging casing further problems. Today´s Irish meeting at Thurles has been abandoned and will be repeated next week. There is an inspection due at Wincanton - later: Wincanton ON!

Tomorrow´s Chepstow meeting is under threat and there could be problems for Saturday´s big meeting at Sandown; it is possible that the hurdles races will be cancelled and that there will be an all-chase card.

Southwell, closed for the past two months because of flooding, is due to reopen next weeek, but have already cancelled Monday´s N.H. fixture, as the jumps track is still under water; however there should be no problems with the all-weather course, where racing resumes on Tuesday. The good news is that there will be an extra N.H. fixture on Monday at Doncaster, to replace nearby Southwell. The card will include a listed hurdle race, so that hurdlers such as Darlan (second favourite for Cheltenham), who could be forced to miss Sandown, will be able to run here instead.

Meydan today

Another strong card in Dubai today where the main feature is the Group Two Al Rashidiya over 9 furlongs on turf at 17.50 CET. The Maktoum family is strongly represented here, as there are 4 Godolphin and 3 Hamdan runners in the field of 10. Sharestan (Saeed bin Suroor/ Silvestre de Sousa) was most impressive when winning here last time and is a confident selection. Otherwise there are several runners with German connections who could run well. Ex-German Kassiano (Bin Suroor/ Ted Durcan) made an excellent debut here, and although he is not the choice of the stable jockey, should go well in the 9 1 /2 furlongs handicap at 16.05. Durcan also rides Smooth Operator for Mario Hofer in the 7 furlongs handicap at 17.15 and the 7yo, who has altready run two good races at the meeting, should definitely be involved. Peter Schiergen´s Nordic Truce (Andrasch Starke) also runs in this race - perhaps there will be a German forecast! But probably Schiergen and Starke have a better chance in the opening 10 furlongs race on turf with Salon Soldier.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Royal Empire - Alkimos - Mushreq
2. Race: Kassiano - Sandagiyr - Plantagenet
3. Race: Shea Shea - Fityaan - Russian Soul
4. Race: Ariete Arrollador - Lockwood - Rerouted
5. Race: Sharestan - Aesop`s Fables - The Apache
6. Race: Time Prisoner - Saamidd - Tertio Bloom

Leicester and Ludlow

At least we have two jumps meetings today, even if the standard is very modest. Venetia Williams has been in tremendous form all winter, and we think that she can have winners at both meetings. She sends her stable jockey Aidan Coleman to Ludlow, where he can take the novice chase at 15.10 CET on Sustainability. The pair also have a chance wirth the mare Rydalis in the handicap chase at 16.10, although this does not look easy under top weight, while Coleman has another winning chance on David Evans´ 4yo Annaluna in the handicap hurdle at 15.40 - another very open race. Also at Ludlow, we hope that Rachel King can win the amateur riders handicap hurdle at 16.40 on Mark Bosley´s Drussell; the pair teamed up to win a similar event over this CD in December.

Liam Treadwell rides Venetia´s runners at Leicester, and he can score on Reginaldinho in the handicap chase at 16.00; this one showed much improved form to win over this CD 3 weeks ago, and 9 lbs extra weight may not stop him going in again. The very consistent Ballyoliver - 2 wins and 8 places from his last 11 runs- could be another winner for the Williams/ Treadwell combination half an hour later, but this is a very tricky race, and on balance we prefer top-weight Ikorodo Road (M Sheppard/ Charlie Poste), who has been running in stronger races. Best thing here is Module (Tom George/ Paddy Brennan) in the novice chase at 15.30; a useful hurdler, this one could be a Cheltenham candidate and meets very feeble opposition here, and is likely to start at long odds-on.

There is also flat racing on the all-weather at Kempton this evening. The card includes 2 class 7 races, in which the form is so unreliable as to be useless. The "best" race is the 7 furlongs handicap at 20.20, where several runners have recent form. We like Docofthebay (Scott Dixon/ Tom McLaughlin), who seeems to be coming back to form; he has run badly on his previous starts here, but is now very well handicapped and his trainer is now doing much better.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Little Dutch Girl - King Of Dudes - Sky Khan
2. Race: Heez A Cracker - Sustainability - Tom Du Lys
3. Race: Cool Cascade - Ussee - Annaluna
4. Race: Father Probus - Addiction - Rydalis
5. Race: Nowurhurlin - Ajman - Drussell
6. Race: Angles Hill - Speedy Tunes - High Ville
7. Race: Centasia - Oscar Hoof - Sealous Scout

Jumpers Bumpers at Lingfield

With all jumps meetings off again today - and several more abandonments likely this week - there are just two all-weather fixtures today- a very weak card at Wolverhampton and a jumpers bumpers card at Lingfield - the third such card in the last fortnight.

The most interesting race could be the event at 15.20 CET - like all the other races on the card over 2 miles - in which recent Kempton winner Keep Kicking (Jonjo O´Neill/ Richie McLernon) takes on several horses that once had much better flat form, notably Ransom Note (Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies), a Group Two winner for Charlie Hills and who also ran respectably in Group One races. He ran badly in his only effort over hurdles, so is not easy to assess and we know from experience that form in other disciplines does not always work out in these events. The Fonz (Pauline Robeson/ Jimmy McCarthy) and Shernando (Nicky Henderson/ Tony McCoy) were decent handicappers for Sir Michael Stoute and Mark Johnston respectively, so must also be respected here.

Samarkand (Neil King/ Alex Merriam) was also quite useful on the flat - though not up to the standard of those mentioned above - and the son of Sadlers Wells should be able to pick up the following race half an hour later against weak opposition. The next race at 16.20 should lie between Dr. Livingstone (Charlie Egerton/ Sam Twiston-Davies), a winner at Kempton last Friday, and Shuil Royale (David Arbuthnot/ Darly Jacob), who was just beaten over fences last time, is a winning hurdler and is also unbeaten so far in bumpers. Others with a winning chance are Representingceltic (Pat Phelan/ Colin Bolger) at 14.50, Natural Spring (Suzy Smith/ Paddy Brennan) at 16.50 and Guest of Honour (Paul Webber/ McCoy) at 17.20; the last-named is a rare winter runner in the colours of Michael Tabor. However as we said earlier, form does not always work out in these races and we would not be overconfident about any of them.

The card at Wolverhampton is very poor, but Joe Fanning, who rode 3 winners here yesterday, can keep up the good work with Climaxfortackle at 15.30 and Prince of Passion at 18.30, both trained by Derek Shaw.

Lingfield - betting forecast:
1. Race: On The Move - Rediscover - Lady Lectra
2. Race: Representingceltic - Finger Onthe Pulse - Border Station
3. Race: Ransom Note - Keep Kicking - Shernando
4. Race: Samarkand - Houndscourt - Sun Quest
5. Race: Dr Livingstone - Shuil Royale - Mickelson
6. Race: Natural Spring - Grassfinch - Annimation
7. Race: Guest Of Honour - Eastbury - Oscars Den

Just two all-weather cards today

With Plumpton off, there are just two all-weather cards today, at Kempton and Wolverhampton. Tomorrow´s Taunton meeting has already been abandoned, while the Lingfield fixture, originally a N.H. meeting, will now be an all-weather flat card. With a rainy week expected following the thaw, it is likely that there will be more abandonments, as several racecourses are currently waterlogged.

Today´s cards are very low level with very few races of interest. The "best" event at Kempton is the 11 furlongs handicap at 17.20 CET; hot trainer David Simcock has pulled out top-weight English Summer and relies on Nave (Martin Lane), who looks very dangerous off a low weight. However we just prefer Noguchi (Mike Murphy/ Tom McLaughlin), who finished behind Wildomar (John Ryan/ Adam Kirby) last time here but is slighlty better off at the weights and may be better suited by this distance.

At Wolverhampton, Bussa (David Evans/ Josh Baudains), first or second on his last 5 starts and just beaten here on Friday, has an obvious chance in the 7 furlongs handicap at 16.40, but his rider is relatively inexperienced and stable-companion Jack my Boy (Jimmy Fortune) can be preferred. However the interesting one here is Masked Dance (Scott Dixon/ Ian Mongan), who was running in much better races not so long ago. Now on a long losing run, he has come down a huge amount in the weights and with his stable now coming back into form, could well run a big race at a good price.

Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown

A small but select field lines up today for the Grade One irish Champion Hurdle at 1.55 CET at Leopardstown. The 5 runners include two past winners of the Champion Hurdle itself, Binocular (Nicky Henderson/ Tony McCoy), who won in 2010 and Hurricane Fly (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh), the 2011 winner. Both of them also ran in the 2012 edition, finishing fourth and third (at odds-on) respectively.

Binocular has not run since and frankly we shall be amazed if he wins today. To our mind, Hurricane Fly, who has won both his starts this season with the greatest of ease, is a certainty. He has won 12 of his 14 starts and what went wrong at Cheltenham last March is unclear, but he is definitely the best hurdler in training; he is also unbeaten in 5 starts here and has won this race twice already. Mullins continues in great form and we would not be surprised to see his other runner Thousand Stars (Paul Townend) finish second; but he has already faced Hurricane Fly 8 times and lost every time!

Mullins and Walsh should clean up on the undercard as well. They can take the main supporting feature, the Grade Two novice hurdle at 14.25 with German-bred Pont Alexandre (by Dai Jin), with another German-bred Anonis (Margaret and Danny Mullins), by Tiger Hill, looking the main danger. Willie and Ruby can also take the first two races with Urano at 13.25 and Zuzka at 13.55; however like all the stable´s runners they will start at a very short price.

Willie and Ruby also have a good chance in the beginner´s chase at 16.35 with Rupert Lamb, but here we just prefer the consistent Prima Vista (Noel Meade/ Paul Carberry). On what could be a good day for German-breds, we also like High Desert (Arthur Moore/ Barry Cash) and Quartetto (Tom Taaffe/ Townend) in the concluding handicap chase at 17.10, both out of Königsstuhl mares; we prefer the former who is much improved this season and can complete a hat-trick.

The handicap hurdle at 15.30 is the big betting race of the day but with 27 runners must be treated with caution. However there could be another Gerrman-bred winner here as the lightly-raced Sammy Black (Tony and Danny Mullins this time) meets his last time conqueror Shariyan, the likely favourite, on 7 lbs better terms and the Black Sam Bellamy geding can turn the tables here.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Urano - Some Article - Smithfield
2. Race: Glens Melody - Jennies Jewel - Way Up In The Air
3. Race: Pont Alexandre - Seefood - Our Vinnie
4. Race: Binocular - Thousand Stars - Captain Cee Bee
5. Race: Shariyan - Sammy Black - Talbot Road
6. Race: Blackmail - Sizing Chile - Benemeade
7. Race: Prima Vista - Rupert Lamb - Toner D`Oudairies
8. Race: Wilde Wit Pleasure - High Desert - Edmundo

Flooding now the problem

Both today´s jumps meetings in the U.K. have been called off and so has tomorrow´s Plumpton meeting. With the big thaw now coming, flooding rather than frost is the problem and more abandonments in the next few days are likely. The only racing today in the U.K. is the additional "jumpers bumpers" fixture at the unlikely venue of Wolverhampton. However there is a very strong card at Leopardstown in Ireland, featuring the Irish Champion Hurdle (see next story).

Cheltenham today

Today´s card at Cheltenham - Festival Trials day - is extremely strong and had been strengthened further by the addition of the Grade One Victor Chandler Chase over 2 miles at 14.50 CET, rescheduled from last week´s abandoned Ascot meeting. Sprinter Sacre (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty) is the star here and it is almost impossible to imagine his getting beaten, although he will not be at a backable price. He has won 10 of his 12 races, including the Arkle this CD last March, and is the highest rated N.H. horse currently in training in the U.K. and Ireland. In theory he cannot lose today and Kumbeshwar and Sanctuaire, who finished miles behind him in the Tingler Creek, will probably take the minor places again (but probably in reverse order).

As always Henderson and his great rival Paul Nicholls are strongly represented in almost every race and go head to head in the opening Triumph Hurdle Trial at 13.10 (note the early start!) with the smart ex-French 4yo´s Irish Saint (Ruby Walsh) and Rolling Star (Geraghty). However we will take a chance here on German-bred Milord (Kim Bailey/ Jason Maguire), who gets 7 lbs from them both. The Monsun gelding was Schlenderhan´s big German Drerby hope last year, but although he did not live up to expectations, this is a different kettle of fish and we think he could be an interesting each-way bet here at the likely long odds.

The Cleeve Hurdle at 16.35 is another Grade Two event over sticks, and is a major trial for the World Hurdle, in which champion Big Bucks will not run. Oscar Whisky (Henderson/ Geraghty) is his crown prince, although still unproven at the distance, while Reve de Sivola (Nick Williams/ Richard Johnson) has already shown that he stays well. Both of them are giving weight away, so it is no foregone conclusion, and Alan King´s pair Lovcen and Walkon must also be considered.

The Grade Two Argento Chase at 15.25 is a trial for the Gold Cup, but with most of the stars missing, this is a weak renewal. In this case Midnight Chase (Neil Mulholland/ Dougie Costello), who won the race last yeat and has an exvcellent record here, must be the choice. But the big question mark here is Imperial Commander (Nigel Twiston-Davies/ Paddy Brennan) who won the Gold Cup in 2010. He has not run since being pulled up in the 2011 edition, but runs well fresh and gets weight from all the other runners and must be a huge threat if anywhere near his old form.

The Grade Two novice hurdle at 15.00 has only 5 runners, but 4 of them look hugely promising - including Coneygree (Mark Bradstock/ Mattie Batchelor) and The New One (Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies), both unbeaten in 3 starts over hurdles; this is not a race for betting on, but must be watched.

There is also a good card at Leopardstown in Ireland, but with small fields in the featured races - with hot favourites trained by Willie Mullins -and huge fields in the others, this is not very punter-friendly.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Rolling Star - Irish Saint - Feb Thirtyfirst
2. Race: Rajdhani Express - Gullinbursti - Ballygarvey
3. Race: Katenko - Bold Sir Brian - Our Mick
4. Race: Sprinter Sacre - Sanctuaire - Somersby
5. Race: Grands Crus - Imperial Commander - Hunt Ball
6. Race: The New One - Coneygree - Whisper
7. Race: Oscar Whisky - Reve De Sivola - Kauto Stone
8. Race: Lord Of House - Sadler`S Risk - Bourne

Good news

Good news from today´s inspections at Cheltenham, Lingfield and Leopardstown - all three meetings are ON. For the first time in ages we have two top-class N.H. meetings plus two flat fixtures on the all-weather.

Smart N.H. performers on the flat at Kempton

Easily the most interesting racing today takes place at Kempton, which stages a card of 7 "jumpers bumpers", all over 2 miles. These are however very tricky races for punters, with flat, bumper, hurdling and chasing form to take into account, plus the fact that many horses that have been running over longer distances over jumps may find this tight 2 miles on the short side. Star of the show is Peddlers Cross (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire) who runs at 15.50 CET. He started off by winning his first 7 races and was then runner-up in the 2011 Champion Hurdle. This is the best form of any runner today,. but he has been slightly disappointing since, despite winning a couple of small races over fences, and has not been seen out since flopping at last year´s Cheltenham Festival. He is likely to be a hot favourite today, and we would rather take him on, as the opposition is strong. Megastar (Gary and Jamie Moore) has won recently on the flat, including this CD, so will show up any wea kness, while Sam Winner (Paul Nicholls/ Ruby Walsh) and especially Salden Licht (Alan King/ Robert Thornton) are both smart performers. We prefer the last-named, who has a German pedigree and was a listed winner on the flat in France.

Nicholls has several runners today, all well-fancied and all partnered by Ruby, but some of them are chasing types who may not be ideally suited by today´s conditions. However Sky Watch in the 14.45 and Pearl Swan half an hour later must be seriously considered, although we just prefer Ericht (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty) and German-bred Cabimas (G+J Moore) respectively. The Moores have another chance with Woolfall Treasure at 16.55, who has won his last two races on the flat, including this CD, but this is a very hot race. Drill Sergeant (McCaoin/ Maguzire) was a Royal Ascot winner on the flat, while Starluck (David Arbuthnot/ Daryl Jacob) has good form to his credit on the flat, over hurdles and over fences, and Ardlui (King/ Choc) is another smart dual-purpose performer.

4 all-weather meetings today

Today´s jumps fixtures (Doncaster and Huntingdon) have long been abandoned, but there is still plenty of all-weather racing, with Lingfield this afternoon and Wolverhampton and Dundalk (Ireland) this evening - all at a very low level-, but easily the most interesting racing comes from the additional "jumpers bumpers" meeting this afternoon at Kempton (see next story). Tomorrow´s jumps racing at Doncaster and Uttoxeter have already been called off, but hopes are high that the top-class Cheltenham fixture, the Festival Trials day, can go ahead; if not, there are contingency plans for the whole card to be staged on Sunday, but at the time of writing Saturday looks more likely. There should be no problems with the big Irish weekend meeting at Leopardstown, but the U.K. meeting on Sunday at Sedgefield has been abandoned, while Fontwell also looks doubtful.

Meydan today

The Dubai Carnoval continues today with another strongh card. Main event is the BGfroup Two Cape Verdi lovcer a mile on turf at 17.50. 4 of the 8 runners are owned by Godolphin, with Sajjhaa (Saaed bin Suroor/ Silvestre de Sousa) possibly the best of them. She is very consistent and was twice runner-up in the Group Two Middleton Stakes at York. However First City (Ali Rashid al Raihe/ Royston Ffrench) won this last year, beating tne smart Mahbooba, and a repetition of that form would probably be good enough. Obviously we are interested in the German runners today and think that Theo Danon (Mario Hofer/ Adrie de Vries) must have a good each way chance in the 9 furlongs handicap at 16.05. The same team have Smooth Operator running in the 6 furlongs conditions race at 17.15, and he ran a great race here a fornight ago; however today´s opposition looks stronger, while ex-German Govinda was very disappointing on that occasion and needs to improve dramatically.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Bay Willow - Ottoman Empire - Topclas
2. Race: Paene Magnus - Masteroftherolls - Samurai Sword
3. Race: Ostinato - Jamr - Elderly Paradise
4. Race: Garbah - Ganas - Smooth Operator
5. Race: Dark Orchid - Amanee - Sajjhaa
6. Race: Energia Dust - Trade Storm - Canwinn

Gowran Park today

Easily the best racing today comes from Ireland with Gowran Park staging a good jumps card. Main event is the Grade Two Galmoy Hurdle over 3 miles at 15.25 CET, which looks a two horse race between last year´s winner Zaidpour (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh) and Bog Warrior (Tony Martin /Davy Russell). The latter is also a top performer over fences, but has shown really smart form over hurdles on his last two starts, beating Solwhit last time; there is very little between the pair but Bog Warrior gets 4 lbs from his rival, which could well swing it. The card opens with a 4yo hurdle at 14.25,with 3 recent winners who should have the race between them; German-bred Hartside (Noel Meade/ Russell) was arguably lucky last time and must prove that that form was no fluke, while Dalasiri (Sabrina Harty/ Andrew Lynch) landed a huge gamble last time at Cork. However the selection has to be Dogora (Mullins/ Walsh), who won with the greatest of ease at Limerick and is expected to go on to bet ter things.

The big betting race is the Thyestes Chase, a valuable handicap over an extended 3 miles at 16.25. With 18 runners, this is wide open; owner JP McManus owns 3 of them and although his retained jockey Tony McCoy is on Colm Murphy´s The Westener Boy, all the money has come for Outlaw Pete (John and Josh Halley), winner of a cross-country at Cheltenham before Christmas and extremely well handicapped. The opposition includes last year´s second and third, Tullintain and Jadanti, but in our view the most dangerous opponents are Bishopsfurze (Mullins/ Walsh), who is saddled with top weight, and heavy ground specialist Sole Witness (Colin McBratney/ Ben Dalton).

The two all-weather meetings in the U.K. are low grade and of very little interest. For those looking for a longshot to back each-way, we very speculatively suggest Ann Stokell´s Island Express at 14.45 at Lingfield and Vhujon (Peter Grayson/ Liam Keniry) at 18.05 at Kempton.

Lingfield, Kempton and Limerick

One horse that certainly catches the eye at Lingfield this afternoon is Schlenderhan-bred Sommersturm (David Evans/ William Carson) in the 1 mile 5 furlongs handicap at 15.30 CET. He had quite smart form in Germany (5 years ago!) but has shown very little since coming to the U.K., where Barney Curley had him for a long time. He showed slightly better form last time over a mile at Wolverhampton, but he is bred to get today´s distance (by Tiger Hill out of a Monsun mare) and loff this low rating and in this weak company, he could well run a big race. Another one we like here is Docofthebay (Scott Dixon/ Ian Mongan) in the 7 furlongs handicap at 16.30. He has not achieved much for this trainer, his owner´s son, but is now dropped in grade and in the ratings, and could also go well; we have not forgotten that his last win was in a listed race here 14 months ago.

Andrew Balding clould score here with Not Rigg (Liam Keniry) in the 3yo maiden at 14.30 and could follow up this evening at Kempton with Sweet Liberta (Daniel Muscutt) in the 1 1/2 mile handicap at 17.30; she seems much improved and has won both her starts in 2013 and has also gone well in the past for her young jockey. Ruby Walsh can land a double at Limerick with The Paparazzi Kid for Willie Mullins at 14.45 - he has been runner-up 4 times running, there seems nothing wrong with his attitude - and Caballo de Marcus for Conor O´Dwyer half an hour later, who was caught on the line over this CD last time. We also like Ponmeword (Eric McNamara/ RJ Jones) here in the handicap hurdle at 15.45; he has never actually won over the sticks, but scored nicely over fences here at Christmas and seems well handicapped.

If racing goes ahead at Ayr (not yet certain), and if David Pipe sends his runners on the long journey from Somerset to Scotland (also not yet certain), then Consigliere (Kieron Edgar) must have a good chance in the handicap chase at 16.10; he ran really well in a better race at Wincanton last time. Otherwise we shall go along with German-bred Los Nadis (Jim Goldie/ Henry Brooke) here; he has never won a chase, but is well handicapped on his hurdling form, likes this track and also goes well on the heavy.

Lingfield - betting forecast:
1. Race: Red Somerset - Paphos - Tornado Force
2. Race: Not Rigg - Keene`s Pointe - Irish Dream
3. Race: Story Writer - Shirazz - Waving
4. Race: Comedy House - Broxbourne - Celtic Charlie
5. Race: Muhandis - Only Ten Per Cent - Storm Runner
6. Race: Al`s Memory - Delft - Prince Of Burma
7. Race: Basle - Spartic - Amis Reunis

Lingfield and Wolverhampton today

At least we have two meetings today, even if both are mainly low grade and there are some very small fields. Easily the best race is the 5 furlongs handicap at 14.50 CET at Lingfield, with the two top-weights Swiss Cross (Phil McEntee/ David Probert) and Fratellino (Alan McCabe/ Willie Twiston-Davies) close to listed class. There is very little between them. although Ftaellino could benefit from moving down to the minimum trip again, after being held over 6 furlongs on his recent starts. Woolfall Sovereign (George Margarson/ Ian Mongan) has been in excellent form, winning at Wolverhampton at New Year and before that here, but he is best at 6 furlongs, and is held by Swiss Cross on earlier form here. This is quite a tricky race, but we shall go along with Swiss Cross. Later on CD specialist Chjimes runs over 6 furlongs at 16.35; we were hoping to see Hayley Turner back on board and making her comeback after several months off with a broken ankle, but Conor Dore´s veteran will now be ridden by Willie Twiston-Davies. His recent form is not inspiring, but he is always dangerous at this level and the opposition looks very weak.

The best race at Wolverhampton is tjhe 9 1 /2 furlongs handicap at 17.40. With doubts about some of the runners- two of them were well beaten here yesterday- the safest option should be Presburg (Joseph Tuite/ Liam Keniry); he has running in better races and has top weight here, but his only win so far came over this CD. In our view, Keniry is a much underrated jockey and he can also score here on Peter Grayson´s Vhujon at 16.40.

Lingfield and Wolverhampton on today

Lingfield has passed an early morning inspection and racing goes ahead there, while there seem to be problems at Wolverhampton. However there are certain to be major problems for N.H. racing this week, and even Cheltenham´s big meeting on Saturday, Festival Trials Day, is only 50/50 to go ahead. Catterick tomorrow is definitely off and so is Warwick on Thursday; there are still 3 possible N.H. meetings tomorrow- Ayr, Exeter and Limerick in Ireland, but all 3 have called inspections.

Jumps racing on Wednesday at earliest

There will be no jumps racing today and tomorrow, as the wintry weather persists and is expected to continue for the next few days. There are two all-weather meetings scheduled for today - Kempton and Wolverhampton- and also tomorrow - Lingfield and Wolverhampton- but as there is still snow around, there will be inspections at all these tracks before racing gets the green light.

The position is slightly more positive for Wednesday´s N.H. meetings at Ayr and Exeter, but still far from certain, while there appear to be no problems with the Irish N.H, meetings on Wednesday at Limerick and Thursday at Gowran Park.

Naas, Kempton and Meydan

The ground will be very testing at Naas, but this is a good card with two graded races.The Grade Two novice chase at 15.10 CET looks at the mercy of Aupcharlie (Willie Mullins/ Andrew Lynch), who was caught on the line last time in a Grade One at Leopardstown. Willie Mullins can also take the novice hurdle at16.45 with the unbeaten Un Atout (Davy Russell), most impressive last time but facing better opposition now, and also has a good chance in the Grade Two hurdle at 14.35 with So Young (Ruby Walsh), who seems to have only Solwhit (Charlie Byrnes/ Davy Russell) to beat. Solwhit has won 11 of his 22 races and has been a most consistent performer over the years, but there must be a slight risk of the bounce factor here; in theory he cannot get beaten in receipt of 7 lbs from So Young, but we wouldn´t bet on it. Our best longshot here is Wild Salmon (William Murphy/ Andrew Lynch) in the 2 mile handicap chase at 16.50; he has never yet even been placed, but has been dropped in t he weights and is coming down in distance, and that might just be the recipe for success.

Kempton stages quite a decent card and punters should swatch out for jockey changes, as some riders are switching here after being booked for abandoned Lingfield, for example Luke Morris. He partners the likely favourite and bottom-weight Noble Silk for Lucy Wadham in the 11 furlongs handicap at 15.55, and this consistent performer has an obvious chance after winning here 12 days ago, although moving up in grade now. However we slightly prefer top-weight Spifer (Marco Botti/ Andrea Atzeni) who is down in grade after running without much success in better company. Botti and Atzeni can also combine to take the mile handicap at 15.20 with lightly-raced Haftohaf, although oldtimer Red Somerset (Mike Murphy/ Kieren O´Neill) was not far behind him over this CD 9 days ago and is now better off at the weights; top-weight Angelic Upstart (Andrew Balding/ Thomas Brown) could also be dangerous. The one horse we would really like to see win here - although we admit it is very much a lohg shot, is 12yo Dvinsky (Paul Howling/ Franny Norton) in the 7 furlongs handicap at 16.30. He is running for the 223rd time - a British record- but has been below form on his recent starts; however he has been dropped to his lowest ever rating, has one of our favourite jockeys aboard and is racing over his best CD- so miracles might happen!

British bookies will also be showing racing from Meydan this afternoon. This is a domestic fixture, not part of the Dubai World Cup Carnival, and therefore below the standard and well below the prize-money at the Thursday meetings here. With mainly handicaps and large fields, this looks very tricky for punters, but we like Royal Ridge (Mike de Kock/ Paul Hanagan) in the 6 furlongs handicap at 17.15.

Lingfield off! Ascot off tomorrow!

More bad news: Lingfield´s all-weather fixture has afternoon has been called off because of snow. This mens that there is no racing at all in the U.K. today after the abandonment of all four scheduled meetings. Dundalk this evening should be o.k.

It is still snowing and the really bad news is that Ascot tomorrow, featuring the Grade One Victor Chandler Chase and Sprinter Sacre, has also been abandoned, so that there is no jumps racing tomorrow. Attempts will be made to switch the top races from Ascot and Haydock to other meetings next week.

Wolverhampton off -two all-weather meetings left

Wolverhampton has also now been abandoned and the cards at the other two meetings are very modest, with few good punting opportunities. Luke Morris looks to be the jockey to follow at Lingfield, where he rides in 6 of the 7 races and has several good chances. At 15.00 CET he partners Sir Mark Prescott´s super-consistent Neige d´Antan (snows of yesteryear indeed!), who has been first or second on his last 8 starts.

Obviously he can win again today, but the result of this consistency is that he gets no mercy from the handicapper, and at these weights we will take a chance on German-bred Landesherr (Steve Gollings/ Liam Keniry). whose record in the U.K. is 0 from 16; however he won a 3yo maiden at Hanover in 2010, and was not totally disgraced at Kempton last time. If all 8 run, he looks a good each-way bet, but there are lkikely to be non-runners here today because of the traffic problems. It is interesting to see John Oxx send just one runner to Dundalk; that is the unraced, but well-bred Somewhere (Niall McCullough) who runs in the maiden race over 1 /2 miles at 20.50. He4 would not need to be anything special to defeat these opponents, best of whom could be Edeymi (Tony Martin/ Robbie Cleary), a winner over hurdles, but who has not run on the flat since his younger days in France for the Aga Khan.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Noverre To Go - Lujeanie - Unlimited
2. Race: Activate - Electrician - Capellini
3. Race: Neige D`antan - Landesherr - Maz
4. Race: Jumbo Prado - Travelling - Bowstar
5. Race: Mawaakef - Cayuga - Incendo
6. Race: Mullit - Dangerous Age - Magic Ice
7. Race: Llamadas - Honest Strike - Turjuman

No jumps racing today; Haydock, Taunton off tomorrow

There will be no jumps racing in Britain and Ireland today. Musselburgh was already called off yesterday and Chepstow has now been abandoned, following more overnight snow. We are left with 3 all-weather fixtures - Lingfield this afternoon, and this evening at Wolverhampton and Dundalk (Ireland). With more snow expected, even they are not 100% certain to go ahead, particularly Wolverhampton, which has had problems with snow in the past.

The outlook for tomorrow, especially the two big meetings at Ascot and Haydock, is also very unclear, while Towcester´s Sunday fixture has already been abandoned.

Update: Haydock´s Saturday fixture has now been abandoned. Taunton, who were due to stage their most valuable meeting ever, have also been forced to cancel tomorrow´s racing. Fingers crossed for Ascot.

Wincanton, Thurles and Lingfield

Racing is on at Wincanton and the Somerset National over almost 3 1 /2 miles at 15.50 is the main event. Venetia Williams and Robbie Dunne won a similar event last week and can take this with Mike de Beauchene, with Pettitfour (Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies) possibly the main danger. Venetia, who is in great form, has her stable jockey Aidan Coleman on Brick Red in the handicap hurdle half an hour later and jhis one should also score after his easy win at Ludlow 8 days ago. Williams are Coleman are also represented by Howards Legacy in the novices handicap chase at 16.50, but he fell last time and here we prefer Opening Batsman (Harry Fry/ Ryan Mahon) and bottom weight Ballylifen (Mick Channon/ Colin O´Farrell). Paul Nicholls usually has some winners at his local track, and he saddles the very lightly-raced Definity (Daryl Jacob) in the handicap chase at 15.20; despite being off the track for almost two years, he must be respected, but it does not look easy under top weight.< br />
Nicholls´ main jockey Ruby Walsh is riding at Thurles and could well land a four-timer for Willie Mullins, with Djakadam in the maiden hurdle at 14.10, Mikael d´Haguenet in the novice chase half an hour later, Tarla (who fell with the race at her mercy last time after winning her previous 4 races) in the Grade Two mares novice chase at 15.40, and Ballycasey in a novice hurdle half an hour later. The other Grade two, the Kinloch Brae Chase over 2 1*2 miles looks between Roi du Mee (Gordon Eliott/ Davy Russell), who has won his last four races and is one of 3 Gigginstown House runners, and Days Hotel (Harry de Bromhead/ Andrew Lynch).

Lingfield stages an additional fixture of jumpers bumpers today, rather monotonous with 7 races over the same distance of 2 miles. We find these races difficult to bet on, as the form shown over jumps does not always work out. The highest rated runner today is Holmwood Legend at 15.00, who won at the Cheltenham Festival in 2011, but we would be surprised if he has enough speed to see off Hollow Penny and Looking Hopeful. The latter is trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Barry Geraghty, who can also score with Pcture Post at 14.00 and Tour d´Argent at 16.00. Charlie Longsddon and Noel Fehily could also land a doiuble with No No Charlie and Be my Present in the last two races, but the best bet here is probably Cousin Khee (Hughie Morrison/ Dougie Costello) at 15.30.

Wincanton - betting forecast:
1. Race: Master Of The Sea - Highland Retreat - Curtain Razer
2. Race: Ballyallia Man - Moleskin - Fine Parchment
3. Race: Chartreux - Dusky Bob - Doubletoilntrouble
4. Race: Brick Red - Dragon`S Den - Scorched Son
5. Race: Opening Batsman - Howard`S Legacy - There`S No Panic
6. Race: Shutthefrontdoor - Big Casino - Runaway Green

Wincanton on today, Musselburgh off tomorrow

Today´s N.H. meeting at Wincanton is on after the course passed an early morning inspection. With Ludlow and Market Rasen already abandoned, it will be the only N.H. racing in the U.K. today, although there is an additional jumpers bumper meeting at Lingfield. There is also Irish N.H. racing at Thurles, including two graded races, while in Meydan we have the second day of the Dubai World Cup Carnival with international fields, including two runners trained in Cologne by Peter Schiergen.

The weather forecast for the U.K. remains bad, with plenty of snow and very low temperatures. Tomorrow´s fixture at Musselburgh has already been called off, while Chepstow look doubtful; Saturday´s big meetings at Ascot and Haydock will be also be under threat if the weather forecast is correct.

Newbury today

Newbury has passed an early morning inspection and has a strong card for a midweek meeting. There are some potentially smart prospects on view in the novice chase at 14.20 CET and the novice hurdle at 14.55. In the former event, ex-French Fago (Paul Nicholls/ Ruby Walsh), a Grade One runner-up at Auteuil last time, faces Colour Squadron (Philip Hobbs/ Tony McCoy), who was very unlucky on his chasing debut but was arguably the best of these over hurdles. The Queen´s Open Hearted (Nicky Henderson/ Barry Geraghty) and the lightly-raced James de Vassy (Nick Williams/ Daryl Jacob) add further spice to what could be an informative event. In the latter race three last-time-out winners, Ericht (Henderson/ Geraghty), Imperial Leader (Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies) and Uxizandre (Alan King/ Robert Thornton) are all penalised 7 lbs, and we shall take a chance on Chiberta King (Andrew Balding/ Paddy Brennan), who was a smart stayer on the flat and was not disgraced on his two hurdles star ts in hot company. The mare´s novice hurdle at 16.00 should go to Violin Davis (Harry Fry/ Noel Fehily), a decent hurdler for Paul Nicholls, and a well-beaten third on very heavy ground on her chasing debut; she is however certain to stay the 3 mile trip, while most of her opponents have not yet raced over this far. The best betting race is the 3 mile handicap chase at 15.25; several last-time-out winners in the field, but they are all up in the weights as a result, and we go for Allthekingshorses (Hobbs/ Tom O´Brien), who seems well handicapped on his hurdles form.

On the all-weather, Limngfield sees the 10yo´s La Estrella (Don Cantillon/ Adam Kirby) and Right Stuff (Gary Moore/ George Baker) in opposition in the 2 mile claimer at 13.30. La Estrella, despite the name, a gelding, is gloing for his 24th win and 8th in succession here; he is known as a Southwell speciallist, but has good form on all the all-weather tracks, but at the weights there is very little between him and Right Stuff, another all-weather specialist. At Kempton, we like German-bred Querido in the mile handicap at 1715; he is very inconsistent, but certainly capable of winning off this rating and in fact took this race last year with a pound more.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Seventh Sign - Captain Cardington - Trend Is My Friend
2. Race: Fago - Colour Squadron - James De Vassy
3. Race: Imperial Leader - Uxizandre - Ericht
4. Race: Monkerty Tunkerty - Thanks For Coming - Mountainous
5. Race: Violin Davis - Jackies Solitaire - Urgence d`Estruval
6. Race: Vieux Lion Rouge - Kalucci - Shipton
7. Race: Chapoturgeon - Rumbury Grey - Silver Story

Weather outlook: snow and frost

The wintry weather in most parts of the U.K. is causing big problems for N.H. racing. Newcastle´s meeting today has already been abandoned, and so have tomorrow´s meetings at Ludlow and Market Rasen. There is an inspection later this morning to see if Newbury´s good meeting this afternoon can go ahead, and an inspection for tomorrow´s fixture at Wincanton. There will be an additional all-weather fixture tomorrow at Lingfield (jumpers bumpers) and also at Kempton on Saturday, while there are already worries about the big meetings at Ascot and Haydock.
later: NEWBURY ON!

3 poor meetings today

Once again. very low-level racing at today´s N.H. fixtures at Lingfield and Ffos Las and on the all-weather at Wolverhampton. At the last-named track we think that top-weight Atlantis Crossing (Roger Ingram/ Adam Kirby) can take the 7 furlongs handicap at 17.30 CET after running a good race over this CD last week. Most of the top jockeys are at Ffos Las and Tony McCoy has several decent chances, notably Jonjo O´Neill´s Theatre Evening in the opening maiden hurdle at 14.10. This one fell at the last in an Irish point-to-point 9 months ago and was afterwards sold for 175,000 euros (!) to his present connections. Tom Scudamore also has some good rides and he can win the handicap chase at 16.50 for his brother Michael on oldtimer Rash Moment. Another bottom-weight that could score is Lucky Prince (Brian Eckley/ Gary Derwin) in the handicap hurdle at 16.15; he has gone up 5 lbs for winning here at Christmas, and if he stays the extra half mile, can score again in this feeble compa ny.

The biggest field of the day is the handicap hurdle at 15.00 at Lingfield with 15 runners. Althoiugh his form figures do not read well, we like Rosoff (Laura Mongan/ Nathan Adams) here; he was not beaten far when 6th in a much more competitive race at Plumpton last time and has previously won here with this jockey aboard. Noel Fehily has a couple of interesting rides here - on Charlie Mann´s ex-German King Arthur at 14.30 and on Charlie Longsdon´s ex-French Orange Nassau one hour later.

3 poor meetings today

More bad weather is on the way - snow and frost- and there are likely to be more abandonments in the U.K. this week, but today´s 3 meetings seem to be safe. But to be honest none of them is of great interest, and they are not at all punter friendly with some small fields and very few races in which normal each-way betting is possible. At Plumpton, the only jumps meeting, the opening novice hurdle could be informative.

The penalised Valdez (Alan King/ Robert Thornton) sets the standard here, but it is not certain that he can give weight away all round. Ed Dunlop has few runners over the sticks, so his The Tiger (Leighton Aspell) must be respected, but Asker (Gary and Jamie Moore) was much better on the flat and, with his stable now in better form, is the selection. King and Choc have another likely favourite in Midnight Sail in the handicap chase at 16.10, who has been runner-up in 6 of his last 7 races - he won the other one- but this is a very tricky race, and once again the Moores have a lively candidate in Lord Singer, However here we prefer bottom-weight Delgany Gunner (Neil King/ Trevor Whelan), who is moving up in grade, but is in good form. She´s Humble (Linda Jewell/ Andrew Thornton) beat Goring Two (Anna NewtonSmith/ Mark Goldstein) in the 2 mile handicap chase at 14.4ß0 and can repeat that result today, as he is surprisingly much better off at the weights, and the jockey can com plete a double on CD specialist Hazy Bay in the at 16.40 in the stayers handicap hurdle, where German-bred Promised Wings (Chris Gordon/ Tom Cannon) could be the most dangerous opponent.

The all-weather cards at Lingfield and Wolverhampton are very poor indeed. At the former track, Equitania (Alan Bailey/ Philip Prince) has the best form in the 3yo handicap over 5 furlongs at 16.00, but he has a huge weight as a result and is probably better over 6, so we expect that Golden Flower (David O´Meara/ David Bergin) will keep up his trainer´s excellent start of the New Year. For lovers of longshots, we recommend Georgebernardshaw (Richard Guest/ Lisa Todd) in the apprentice handicap at 17.00; he was a group race performer for Aidan O´Brien as a 3yo but has lost his form completely, but this is his first race at LIngfield and he might possibly show a semblance of his old ability in this very weak company.

At Wolverhampton, leading owner Dr. Marwan Koukash, trainer David Slimcock and jockey Jamie Spencer might posibly land a double with English Summer at 15.50 and Gabrial the Boss half an hour later.

3 meetings today

the usual low-level sport in the U.K. today and even the Irish meeting at Navan is not as high class as is usually the case on a Sunday in Ireland. The most interesting races there are the hurdle race at 13.45 (with only 4 runners) and the beginners chase at 15.45. In the latter event those smart hurdlers from last year Alderwood (Tom Mullins/ Mark Walsh) and Prima Vista (Noel Meade/ Paul Carberry) clash. Neither has really shone over fences so far, but Alderwood, a winner at both the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals last spring, was the better over sticks. However although they have both shown form on heavy ground, both would probably prefer better going and this is a race to watch rather than to bet on. The same applies to the earlier race; Willie Mullins has two runners, Midnight Game (Davy Russell), out of a good German mare, and Pickapocketortwo (Paddy), while the other two are also smart- Cause of Causes (Gordon Elliott/ Davy Condon) won a big Ascot handicap just be fore Christmas while Hisaabaat (Dermot Weld/ Andrew Lynch) was runner-up in the Triumph Hurdle last year. These small fields often result in very tactical races run at a false pace and again we would rather just watch this.
Form horses are few and far between at Kelso. The best horse on view is almost certainly Corrin Wood (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire) who runs in the novice hurdle at 14.50. He is potentially smart and should make short work of this opposition, but will be at a very short price. A more speculative but possibly more lucrative bet is Notonebuttwo (Chris Grant/ Barry Keniry) in the handicap hurdle at 15.50. he has shown next to nothing so far., but is lightly raced and is on a very lenient rating; the opposition looks extremely weak.

Betting forecast Navan:
1. Race: Midnight Game - Cause Of Causes - Pickapocketortwo
2. Race: To The Sky - Blissful Moment - Dancers Dilemma
3. Race: Shanroe Society - Prince Of Milan - Chestnut Charlie
4. Race: Suntiep - Hard To Swallow - Fergiethelegend
5. Race: Alderwood - Prima Vista - Spring Heeled
6. Race: Saoirse Dun - Tarquinius - Harpsy Cord
7. Race: Benemeade - Our Cobajay - Wicklow Gold

Kempton today

the other main meeting is at Kempton where the listed handicap hurdle over 2 miles 5 furlongs is the big race. With 18 runners this looks really tricky and the top-weights dominate the betting. Nicky Henderson has two fancied runners Bear´s Affair (Jerry McGrath) and Oscara Dara ( Barry Geraghty), both of whom should run well. Bear´s Affair is still unbeaten over sticks, but is now on a very high rating. This race is so wide open that we have decided to pick 3 longshots, all of whom have recently run disappointingly but as a result are all well handicapped on their old form: Topolski (David Arbuthnot/ Tom Cannon), Secret Edge (Alan King/ Peter Hatton) and Sirkozy (Gary and Jamie Moore). This is of course highly speculative, biut could possibly be rewarding. Another last time flop we like is Brackloon High (Noel Chance/ Nico de Bloinville), who got bogged down in the mud when a beaten favourite here last time. With this very good amateur in the saddle he deserves another chanc e. Nicky Henderson has another potentially smart hurdler with Forgotten Voice, who has top weight at 16.50; he is unbeaten in two starts and with the good claimer McGrath in the saddle could well complete his hat-trick. Laterly (Steve Gollings/ Paul Bohan- another good claimer) won very easily at Leicester last time and could be the danger; he has a nice German pedigree, another point in his favour in our eyes.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: L`Unique - Deia Sunrise - Vibrato Valtat
2. Race: Tetlami - Kie - Escort`men
3. Race: Cloudy Copper - Buck`s Bond - Kaysersberg
4. Race: Niceonefrankie - Bally Legend - Triangular
5. Race: Bear`S Affair - Black Thunder - Oscara Dara
6. Race: Golden Chieftain - Mush Mir - Handtheprizeover
7. Race: Forgotten Voice - Laterly - Ivor`S King

Warwick today

today´s cards are perhaps not quite as classy as is normal on a Saturday, but there is still some very compotitive racing on soft ground (not as bad as it was a week or so ago, but still soft enough), and the main meeting is at Warwick, who stage their biggest fixture of the season.
The Grade Two novice hurdle at 16.00 CET is the top race, and it looks a match between two very promising novices- The New One (Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies) and Dursey Sound (Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy). The former was sixth in last year´s Champion Bumper but is otherwise unbeaten and has won both his starts over hurdles very easily. However we are not sure that he can concede 3 lbs to McCoy´s mount, who has never yet been out of the first two, while the mare Mickle (Henry Daly/ Andrew Tinkler), in receipt of a further 7 lbs, looks booked for third.
The novice chase over 3 miles+ at 14.50 also looks a match between two promising stayers, Highland Lodge (Emma Lavelle/ Dominic Elsworth) and Rocky Creek (Paul Nicholls/ Daryl Jacob). The former has won 4 of his 6 starts and won very easily indeed at Cheltenham before Christmas, but gives the Nicholls hope 3 lbs and we think that the weight concession could swing it here as well.
The big betting races are the 3 mile 1 furlong handicap hurdle at 15.25 and the valuable Classic Chase over 3 miles 5 furlongs at 16.35, bkith of which look extremely tricly. Our 3 against the field in the latter race are Restless Harry (Robin Dickin/ Henry Oliver), Bradley (Fergal O´Brien/ Paddy Brennan) and bottom-weight Flying Award (Sue Gardner/ Aidan Coleman), while in the former event The Package (David Pipe/ Tommy Murphy - coming back from injury) looks very well handicapped on his old hurdling form and looks certain to start a warm favourite. However he has not actually run over the sticks for almost 4 years and represents no value. We shall go for 3 of the lighter-weights here, Ely Brown (Charlie Longsdon/ Noel Fehily), De la Bech (Philip Hobbs/ Tom O´Brien) and Okafranca (Jim Old/ Micky Grant).
The 2 mile novices handicap hurdle that opens the card at 13.40 also looks wide open. We fancied Geman-bred Engai (David Bridgewater/ Tom Phelan) last Sunday at Plumpton, but he was run out if by a handicap snip, and we hope he can recover losses here.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Tresor De Bontee - Celtic Intrigue - Party Rock
2. Race: George Nympton - Eastlake - Rody
3. Race: Rocky Creek - Highland Lodge - Forgotten Gold
4. Race: The Package - Holywell - De La Bech
5. Race: The New One - Dursey Sound - Mickie
6. Race: Pete The Feat - Restless Harry - Bradley
7. Race: Reddy Tobouggie - Scorer - Calusa Storm

Henderson and McCoy at Huntingdon

5 low level meetings today, including 3 on the all-weather, and the best racing is at the N.H.meeting at Huntingdon. Nicky Henderson and Tony McCoy look the team to follow here, with My Tent or Yours in the novice hurdle at 14.20, Malt Master in the novice chase an hour later, and Glorious Twelfth in the maiden hurdle all likely to start at very short odds. Of course we have seen plenty of hot favourites beaten in recent days, but these 3 must all have a very strong chance, in particular My Tent or Yours, who was beaten at odds-on by a stable companion at Newbury last time, but is still regarded as a Cheltenham candidate. From the point of view of value, our two bets at longer odds here are Kahsabelle (Venetia Williams/ Harry Challoiner) in the opening conditional jockeys handicap hurdle, and Gee Dee Nen (Gary and Jamie Moore) in the handicap chase at 14.50. Both are on a long losing run but are now on a nice weight and in each case the opposition is not too strong.
The other jumps meeting at Sedgefield has some very poor fields. One we like here is oldtimer Oniz Tiptoes (JS Wainwright/ Brian Harding) in the 3 miles 3 furlongs handicap hurdle at 14.40. He runs his best races over this CD and won this race last year off the same rating.
The most interesting flat race in our opinion is the 1 1/2 mile maiden at Lingfield at14.30. Harleston Wood (Paul Hedger/ Adam Kirby) has some quite decent form when trianmed by the now-retired John Dunlop, but the two to concentrate on are Lidar (Alan King/ Fergus Sweeney) and Megastar (Gary Moore/ George Baker). both multiple NH winners. Megastar is actually having his first ever race on the flat at the age of 8, so we give slight preference to Lidar, who has shown good winning form in bumpers, over hurdles and over fences.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Elegant Olive - Social Realism - Ali Baba
2. Race: My Tent Or Yours - Population - God`s Own
3. Race: Glen Countess - It`S Like That - Refusal
4. Race: Malt Master - Asaid - Brass Tax
5. Race: Glorious Twelfth - Grand Exit - As I Am
6. Race: Evella - Memorabilia - Sophonie
7. Race: Feast Of Fire - Sausalito Sunrise - Swincombe Stone

Catterick + 3 a.w. meetings

there is some decent N.H. racing at Catterick today, plus 3 very low-level all-weather meetings at Lingfield and Wolverhampton on the afternoon and Kempton in the evening. Frankly, we find these a.w. meetings very boring. consisting mainly of poor handicaps with runners who race every week with differing results, so we shall give them a swerve and concentrate on Catterick and Meydan (next story).
Main event at Catterick is the North Yorkshire Gramd National over 3 3/4 miles at 15.15 CET which looks very competitive. Posh Bird (Peter Niven/ Barry Hughes) won this last year, but is up a lot in the weights and this renewal seems much stronger. Pentiffic (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman), from a stable in top form, is the likely favourite after an easy win at Muisselburgh last week; however that was over 3 miles and he has never run beyond that trip, so there must be a question mark here. Desperate Dex (Tom George/ Paddy Brennan) is in good form, but this race looks much tougher. Lord Villez (Ferdy Murphy/ Denis O´Regan) is nicely handicapped now, but his stable is out of form, otherwise he would be the selection. As it is, our 3 against the field are Trevor Hemmings´ two runners Lively Baron (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire) and King Fontaine (Malcom Jefferson/ Harry Haynes), and Leac An Scail (Jodie Foster/ Samantha Drake), who is very consistent and is ridden by a very pr omising claimer. King Fontaine carries the second colours and his form does not read well, but he was third in the Scottish Grand National (a much better race) last April and a repetition of that form would give him an excellent chance here.
Owner Trevor Hemmings could be in for a good day, as we also expect Vintage Star (Sue Smith/ Ryan Mania) to win the novice chase at 14.10 - he looks much more likely to stay the 3 miles trip than his main market rival Court in Session- and also has a good chance in the novice handicap chase at 16.15 with the same team´s Highrate.
Despite a penalty, Cockney Sparrow (John Quinn/ Dougie Costello) looks a good thing to win the opening 4yo hurdle for fillies, but the novice hurdle at 5.45 looks much more open. John Ferguson is always to be feared in such events and his Sea Lord (Denis O´Regan) was the best of these on the flat, well up to group class; but he was a miler and bred like one as well and is not certain to stay N.H. distances. Las Verglas Star (Richard Fahey/Brian Hughes) and Life and Soul (McCain/ Maguire) were also decent on the flat, though not up to Sea Lord´s class, but they are more stoutly bred, especially the latter who is out of a Platini mare, and they are preferred.

Betting forecast Catterick:
1. Race: Cockney Sparrow - Scarlett Fever - Miss Conduct
2. Race: Court In Session - Vintage Star - King`S Grace
3. Race: The Fox`S Decree - Funky Munky - Patavium
4. Race: Pentiffic - Lively Baron - Night In Milan
5. Race: Sea Lord - Life And Soul - Only Orsenfoolsies
6. Race: Brave Spartacus - Highrate - Lucky Sunny
7. Race: Vinstar - Tough Trade - Ivan Boru

Dubai World Cup Carnival starts today

easily the best racing of the day takes place at Meydan, where the Dubai World Cup Carnival 2013 officially begins with the usual strong card. The first race at 15.30 CET is a Group One for Arabian-breds and the best race for thoroughbreds is the Group Two Al Maktoum Challenge (round one) over a mile on tapeta at 18.25. With no betting allowed in Dubai, bets will be settled at the British industry prices, but it would be wise not to bet heavily today, with little recent form to go on and with little knowledge of which foreign trainers are in form. That said, Barbecue Eddie (Doug Watson/ Dane O´Neill) has a fitness advantage here, having already won twice this winter over the CD. The Godolphin horses Out of Bounds (Saeed bin Suroor/ Silvestre de Sousa) and Fulbright (Mahmood al Zarooni/ Mikael Barzalona) are the obvious dangers.
Several runners have German connections, in particular on the 5 furlongs handicap at 16.40 in which Govinda (Vanja Sandrup/ Per-Anders Graberg) - ex-Andreas Wöhler- and Smooth Operator (Mario Hofer/ Adrie de Vries), Germany´ s most successful sprinters of recent seasons, both run. Govinda won at Hamburg last year and was also a good runner-up in the Goldene Peitsche at Baden-Baden, with Smooth Operator behind both times. The latter is better off at the weights, but we think that conditions should suit Govinda and from the number one draw he can make all the running here.
Mario Hofer´s other runner Theo Danon (de Vries) runs in the conditions race over 9 furlongs at 17.50. He needs firm ground, which he will probably get here, and we expect a good performance, although the opposition, headed by Al Shemali (Ali Rashid al Raiha/ Royston Ffrench) looks very strong. We are not so sure that the going will suit Kassiano (Saeed bin Suroor/ Ted Durcan) - ex -Werner Baltromei and William Mongil- but he is well handicapped at 17.15 and could run well on his first start for Godolphin, who have several other runners in the huge field. Our other fancy here is Spanish-trained Ariete Arrollador (Anxkorreta Elosegui/ Christophe Soumillon), who ran several good races at this meeting last year and is entered in the 7 furlongs handicap at 16.05.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Tzar Du Paon - Naseem - Quite A Show
2. Race: Lily`S Angel - Iver Bridge Lad - Ariete Arrollador
3. Race: Balmont Mast - Happy Dubai - Lui Rei
4. Race: Kassiano - Tanfeeth - Royal Empire
5. Race: So Beautiful - Sharestan - Red Duke
6. Race: Fulbright - Mufarrh - Tajaaweed
7. Race: Firebeam - Kenny Powers - Arnold Lane

Overturn at Doncaster

Much better racing today than we have seen so far this week, and the star of the show is undoubtedly Overturn (Donald McCain/ Jason Maguire), who runs in the 2 mile novice chase at 15.15 CET at Doncaster. This admirable 9yo is one of the toughest horses in training; on the flat his wins include the Northumberland Plate and the Chester Cup, while he is also top class over hurdles, finishing second in the Champion Hurdle last March. He won his only chase in excellent style at Sandown two months ago, and has missed out several opportunities since then because of the heavy going. The ground at Doncaster today should be ideal and he only has 3 opponents, of whom Conquisto (Steve Gollings/ Tony McCoy) and Attaglance (Malcolm Jefferson/ Harry Haynes) may be able to offer some resistance, but defeat for Overturn would come as a big shock.

Also at Doncaster, the 4yo hurdle at 13.40 should be very informative, with several interesting flat horses making their hurdling debuts. Handazan (Alan King/ Robert Thornton) has already shown good form over the sticks and sets the standard here, but has to concede 7 lbs all round, which may be beyond him. Modernism (John Ferguson/ Denis O´Regan) was only fourth on his hurdling debut, but his stable is now winning everything in sight, so he must be respected, although on flat form he is inferior to Ferguson´s two Leicester winners yesterday. Aazif (McCain/ Maguire), ex-John Dunlop, Last Shadow (Jonjo O´Neill/ McCoy), ex- William Muir, and Little Dutch Girl (Nicky Henderson/ David Bass), ex-Clive Cox, were all useful flat handicappers now running for the first time for top stables over sticks, but the one that really interests us is Milord (Kim Bailey/ Nick Scholfield). He was regarded as Schlenderhan´s top 3yo last year, but was a major disappointment, finishing well down th e field in the Deutsches Derby, though he did win a small race at the Baden-Baden October meeting, but he could well be a much better proposition now over hurdles.

John Ferguson also has an interesting runner over hurdles at Ludlow -the very well-bred Bordoni, who runs at 16.05 with Jack Quinlan in the saddle. Surprisingly for a runner from this stable, he did not jump that fluently when runner-up on his debut at Warwick last month, but he should have learned from that and can win today. with Amoralist (Nicky Henderson/ Andrew Tinkler) looking his most dangerous opponent. The best betting race here is the 2 mile handicap hurdle at 14.55, where Brick Red, rather unlucky last time at Cheltenham, could be another winner for the in-form Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman team.

There is also jumps racing in Ireland, and Willie Mullins - despite a rather disappointing weekend- should have some winners at Fairyhouse. Ruby Walsh rides Sarabad at 13.15 and Abbey Lane half an hour later, while Davy Russell partners Raise Hell at 14.45 and son Paddy Beluckyagain in the bumper at 16.30; it will be quite a surprise if there are not some winners among that lot.

Doncaster - betting forecast:
1. Race: Handazan - Little Dutch Girl - Last Shadow
2. Race: Eleven Fifty Nine - Katnapping - St Gregory
3. Race: Whistling Senator - Nodform Richard - Soudain
4. Race: Overturn - Conquisto - Attaglance
5. Race: Castletown Bridge - Saints And Sinners - Parc Des Princes
6. Race: Grey Missile - Back Bob Back - Vosges
7. Race: Lotus Pond - Dance Of Time - Upswing

3 more poor meetings today

Nothing to get excited about today with low level N.H. racing at Leicester and Chepstow and even lower level flat racing at Wolverhampton (for the fifth successive day!). John Ferguson has his string of ex-flat horses in excellent form over jumps and can land a double at Leicester with Pine Creek and Whispering Gallery in the two divisions of the novice hurdle at 13.30 CET and 15.40 respectively.

Both were useful on the flat, in particular the latter who won the DRC Gold Cup in March 2011, but has not been seen out since. They will both be partnered by Denis O´Regan, who has struck up a highly successful partnership with Ferguson, who is better known as Sheikh Mohammed´s bloodstock adviser. German-bred Lovcen (Alan King/ Robert Thornton) must have a good chance of taking the novice chase here at 15.10. he should certainly hold the other German-bred Wiesensturm - even though this one won his first chase- but Minellas Class (Nicky Henderson/ David Bass) could be more dangerous; bioh he and Lovcen were Grade One novice hurdle winners last season and on hurdling form stand out here by miles.

There are also two German-breds in the 3 mile handicap hurdle at 14.55 at Chepstow, Air Force One (Charlie Mann/ Gavin Sheehan) and Electric Tiger (David Bridgewater/ Tom Phelan). The latter is moving up in trip, while the former- who has been mainly chasing, often in top events- has come down a lot in the weights, and both of them could run well in a very open race. A trainer in red-hot form at present is David O´Meara, who has had 9 winners from 12 runners so far this year. He can further improve this already amazing record at Wolverhampton, where both his runners Frontier Fighter (Danny Tudhope) in the maiden at 17.25 and Rosies Lady (David Bergin) in the 8 1/2 furlongs handicap at 18.25. The latter, a 4yo filly, seems tremendously improved and has already won twice this year, including here yesterday, and she should be able to defy a 12 lbs penalty if she turns out again.

Chepstow - betting forecast:
1. Race: Nutin Fancy - Alberobello - Awbeg Massini
2. Race: Uimhir A Seacht - My Viking Bay - Sendinpost
3. Race: Laflammedeglorie - Sail And Return - Storm Alert
4. Race: Saved By John - Anay Turge - Shangani
5. Race: On The Feather - Old Magic - Dalrymple
6. Race: Kinkeel - Derwen Pryde - Massini Sunset
7. Race: Beaujolais Bob - Dare To Endeavour - Call A Truce

3 meetings today

There is N.H. racing today at Taunton (on very soft ground) and all-weather meetings at Kempton and Wolverhampton (for the fourth day in succession). Taunton has by far the most interesting card, with the novice chase over 2 miles 3 furlongs at 15.40 CET the main feature. With only 5 runners, this looks a match between Cantlow (Paul Webber/ Tony McCoy) and Dare Me (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman).

The trainer thinks that Cantlow, who is penalised for winning last time at Plumpton and was bought 3 months ago by top owner JP McManus, is a Cheltenham prospect, in which case he ought to win in this grade, but on hurdles form he does not have much in hand of Dare Me, who fell last time. Ruby Walsh flies over for just two rides - Sound Investment in the maiden hurdle at 14.10 and Saphir du Rheu in a novice hurdle at 156.10, where he is the only 4yo in the field and gets weight all round; still it doesn´ t look easy, and Orabora (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson), despite the weight. and God of the Kop (Rebecca Curtis/ McCoy) both look dangerous. In the former event we shall also be interested in German-bred Ordensritter (Chris Down/ James Davies); he has not shown much on his two U.K. starts, but we are sure he is capable of winning a race. He was well beaten in the 2011 Deutsches Derby, but this of course is miuch easier. Davies and Down also have a good chance in the handicap hurdle at 16.10 with Extremely So, who was runner-up over this CD last week to Home Run, a good winner again since. The same day Jupiter Rex (Williams/ Coleman) showed his best ever form by winning by 15 lengths and he can follow up under a penalty in the 3 mile handicap hurdle at 17.10.

At Kempton there are only 4 runners in the 3yo mile handicap at 15.30, which should lie between Ningara (Andrew Balding/ David Probert) and Smilewithhiseyes (Gay Kelleway/ Robert Winston), both CD winners last time of their second career start. Ningara created the better impression, but has been given a higher weight, so there could be little in it. Gary Moore had an excellent weekend with his N.H. runners and can score on the flat here with Moderator (Ned Curtis) who has bottom weight in the 1 172 mile handicap at 16.30; consistent Noble Silk (Lucy Wadham/ Luke Morris) looks the main danger.

The racing of offer at Wolverhampton is, as so often, very low grade, but our eye is caught by Getrman-bred Waldsee in the 1 1/2 mile handicap at 16.50. He has so far totally failed to live up to his noble pedigree (his dam was a classic winner and his half-brother won the German Derby) but he is now on a ridiculously low rating and will find few easier opportunities than this.

Kempton . betting forecast:
1. Race: Hierarch - Breakheart - May`S Boy
2. Race: Liliana - Big Moza - Lucilla
3. Race: Ningara - Smileswithhiseyes - First Sargeant
4. Race: Beat The Bell - Dark Lane - Fairy Wing
5. Race: Roberto Pegasus - Wildomar - Noble Silk
6. Race: Bridge That Gap - Menadati - Beggers Belief
7. Race: Lastkingofscotland - Black Cadillac - Belinsky

Slaney Novice Hurdle at Naas

Two low-level race meetings in the U.K. today - over jumps at Plumpton and on the all-weather at Wolverhampton- once again standing in for Southwell, but there is much better racing in Ireland, where the Grade Two Slaney Novice Hurdle over 2 1/2 miles at 14.35 CET is the day´s top event. Willie Mullins´ Champagne Fever is the clear favourite here. He won the top bumpers at the Cheltenham and Punchestown Festivals, and started his career over sticks with an easy win, followed by an excellent second place to the top-class Jezki at Fairyhouse. Minsk (Dessie Hughes/ Bryan Cooper) finished four lengths behind him then, and looks second best today. Ruby Walsh is down to ride Champagne Fever, but it is not yet clear whether he will be able to do so after his falls yesterday at Chepstow. If he does, he could be completing a hat-trick as Ubazo at 13.35 and German-bred Marito at 14.05 could well win the first two races for the Mullins stable.

Two German-breds who could run well at Plumpton are Salden Licht (Alan King/ Robert Thornton), who can take his revenge on Vulcanite (Charlie Longsdon/ Tony McCoy) on 6 lbs better terms in the novice chase at 14.25, and Engai (David Bridgwater/ Tom Phelan) in the handicap hurdle at 17.00. Salden Licht did not jump too brilliantly on his chasing debut, but was easily the best of these over hurdles, while Engai has failed to shine so far in the U.K. but has been given a very low handicap rating as a result. Main event here is the Southern National over 3 miles 5 furlongs at 15.55, which is not a patch on yesterday´s Welsh version. Double Dizzy (Bob Buckler/ Andrew Glassonbury) won this last year and has mainly been running in cross-country races since; back to the scene of his biggest triumph, he can win again.

Naas - betting forecast:
1. Race: Upazo - Jennies Jewel - Drumgooland
2. Race: Marito - Jenari - Mount Benbulben
3. Race: Minsk - Rule The World - Captain Arceus
4. Race: Rubert - Luke`S Benefit - Ros Brin
5. Race: Our Girl Salley - Mae`s Choice - Carrig Millie
6. Race: Misca Musca - Fair Dilemma - Thepartysover
7. Race: Grecian Tiger - Knightsone - Seven Nation Army

Welsh Grand National at Chepstow

The Welsh Grand National, which will be run today - a week late- over almost 3 3/4 miles at 16.20 CET, is second only to the "real thing" at Aintree in terms of prestige and prize-money of all the Grand Nationals run during the season. The big difference is that this race is run in the winter and usually on very heavy ground; that is certainly the case today, with the heaviest ever reading of the going. On top of that, it has now not rained for 4 days, which means that the ground is now extremely testing. Most of the 18 runners are heavy ground specialists, but it is still going to be a real slog.

Teaforthree (Rebecca Curtis/ Tony McCoy) is the obvious favourite here, after his excellent sixth place in the hennessy; even though he was beaten 27 lengths this was still good form (with several of these runners behind) as the winner Bobsworth is now the favourite for the Gold Cup, and the runner-up Tidal Bay has since won fhe Grade One Lexus Chase in Ireland. He has been dropped two pounds since, so is well handicapped, jumps well, stays well, acts on the ground and has a good record here. So what´s not to like? Firstly, there are several opponents with equally strong credentials, secondly, this is a bad race for favourites and thirdly, no Welsh horse has won for almost half a century. Rebecca Curtis is one of the most successful trainers in Wales, as well as the best-looking, and we think this horse has to go on the short list, but is no value at the current price of around 3-1.

Giles Cross (Victor Dartnall/ Denis O´Regan) is an obvious alternative, having finished runner-up here the last two times. He clearly loves this CD and his form is pretty solid, however is not so well handicapped this time and has not run since being pulled up at Aintree in April. On top of that, his stable had to be closed for six weeks following an outbreak of equine herpes, and has had no winners since, so we will reluctantly discard him.

On the same weight is Michel le Bon (Paul Nicholls/ Ruby Walsh), whose trainer has a good record here and whose jockey can do no wrong at present. He looks asof he has been traimned for the race and Nicholls certainly knows the time of day with these stayers, so he goes on the short list, together with Viking Blond (Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies), who started favourite here last year but was pulled up; he seems better this season, has run two good races in defeat and has been dropped 5 pounds. Our best outsider here is oldtimer Mon Mome (Venetia Williams/ Liam Treadwell), who has not won since scoring at Aintree in 2009 with this jockey up; obviously he stays very well and is now attractively handicapped. This is a really open race and we can make out a case for every runner, even the two out of the handicap, but we hope that we have pinpointed the winner.

This is Chepstow´s biggest meeting of the year and the rest of the card is also classy, but very difficult for punters. The Grade One 4yo hurdle at 14.35 is the main supporting feature and looks very open. Caid du Berlais (Nicholls/ Walsh) and Vasco d´Ycy (Sara Humphreys/ Jack Doyle) are both ex-French and French hurdlers seems to have an advantage over their British and Irish counterparts at this age. The latter has already shown good form in the U.k. while the former makes his British debut here. but is apparently highly regarded in the Nicholls stable. Ruacana (John Ferguson/ O´Regan) and Swynmor (Tim Vaughan/ Richard Johnson) are both useful flat performers who made a winning debut over sticks, but there must be a slight doubt as to how they will adapt to ground as heavy as this, so on this ocasion we side with the Frenchies.

It could well be another profitable Saturday for the Nicholls/ Walsh team, as Sin Bin at 13.25, Keppols Hill at 14.00 and Cedre Bleu at 15.10 all have good chances, although none of these races is exactly easy. They also have Roger Beantown in the 3 mile handicap hurdle at 15.45, but we just prefer Pension Plan (Peter Bowen/ David Casey) in a very tricky event.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Sin Bin - Oscar Magic - Eleven Fifty Nine
2. Race: Keppols Hill - Arthurian Legend - Badgers Cove
3. Race: Swnymor - Caid Du Berlais - Ruacana
4. Race: Cedre Bleu - Shoegazer - Mahogany Blaze
5. Race: Shotgun Paddy - Pension Plan - Tell Me Y
6. Race: Teaforthree - Michel Le Bon - Viking Blond
7. Race: Bob Ford - Be Bop Boru - Seebright

15 races at Wolverhampton today!

you can have too much of a good thing, and we definitely think that 15 races today at Wolverhampton is way too much for anybody. This has come about as Wolverhampton has taken on the scheduled fixture at Southwell (still closed because of flooding) as well as holding its own regular Friday evening meeting. In theory the first 7 races, from the start at 13.00 CET to 16.00, are Southwell races, then after a break of an hour there are 8 Wolverhampton races in the evening. In practice nobody will notice the difference, especially as they are almost all low-level handicaps. The French already put on 13-race meetings at Deauville - for the same reason - poor races to keep the betting turnover ticking over, plenty of action in the PMU shops and betting shops, but nobody on the racecourse except for those directly involved. We cannot imagine that there will be many people on the track at Wolverhampton today, and certainly not for the first few races.

The most interesting race of the first session is the 1 1/2 mile handicap at 14.30. De Rigueur (marco Boti/ Seb Sanxders) is the likely favourite here. Previously trained by Christian von der Recke, he won 4 races for the Weilerswist stable, three of them in Ghlin, and showed his best form when runner-up in the Austrian Derby in 2011. He has also shown good form here, winning over this CD in mid-December, when Sir Boss (Michael Mullineaux/ Tom Eaves) was 3 lerngths back; Sir Boss, a real CD specialist, has since won twice and is now 4 lbs worse off so in theory should again finish behind De Rigueur. A bigger danger could be Alazan (Philip Hobbs/ Willie Twiston-Davies), a useful N.H.performer who was also runner-up over this CD last week, when German-bred All the Winds (Sam Lycett/ Leanne Mayor), who appears to have lost form completely, was well behind.

Botti and Sanders can also take the main event of the evening session, a 7 furlongs handicap at 19,00, with Solar Deity. Owned by Sr. Manfrediini (in whose colours Excelebration won the German 2,000 Guineas two years ago) the 4yo looks as if he needs a break between races, as his last two races, both of which he won, were in October (this CD) and November. The filly Cockney Dancer (Charlie Hills/ Robert Winston), a winner twice over this CD, has a similar profile and gets 9 lbs, but we think that Solar Deity has plenty of improvement to come and will later on be seen in a much better grade. Oldtimer Advanced (Kevin and Amy Ryan) looks next best; known as s sprinter, he also gets this trip and is now very well handicapped compared to his old form.

Tipps für die Rennen:
1. Rennen: On The Hoof - Caledonia Prince - Final Drive
2. Rennen: Hittin`the Skids - Basle - Lindoro
3. Rennen: Charlcot - Gunner Will - Ches Jicaro
4. Rennen: De Rigueur - Alazan - Sir Boss
5. Rennen: Royal Sea - Annelko - Layla`S Boy
6. Rennen: Miss Bunter - Sandy Lane - Methaaly
7. Rennen: Flying Tempo - Una Bella Cosa - Darkest Night
8. Rennen: Drawnfromthepast - Le Toreador - Majuro
9. Rennen: Tram Express - Reaction - Mediterranean Sea
10. Rennen: Cut Across - Dorback - Irish Heartbeat
11. Rennen: Testa Rossa - Iggy - Peak Storm
12. Rennen: Solar Deity - Cockney Dancer - Chapter And Verse
13. Rennen: Outlaw Torn - Big Sylv - Aragorn Rouge
14. Rennen: Venetias Dream - Golan Heights - Merchants Return
15. Rennen: Story Writer - Rano Pano - Merrjanah

4 poor meetings today

Once again 4 meetings today, two over jumps and two on the all-weather, but the standard again is pretty low all round. Easily the best race is the Irish Grade Three chase over 2 1/4 miles at Thurles at 14.25 CET, but the field is very feeble for a race of this category and only 2 of the 5 runners have a rating entitling them to play a role - Foildubh (JP Ryan/ Paul Carberry) and Call the Police (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh) The latter, in receipt of 7 lbs, is easily preferred..Wullinsd and Walsh can follow up by winning the next race with Cadspeed; his form figures do not look inspiring, but we would have been an easy winner last time at Clonmel but for falling at the last, and he should outclass these rivals today.

There is also jumping at Ayr, with some small fields and very testing ground. As üptredicted, Lucinda Russell did well here yesterday and she has some more good chances today with No Deal (Peter Buchanan) at 13.30, Et Maintenant (Grant Cockburn) at 15.00, Lady of Verona (Craig Nicol) half an hour later and Ballyben (Georgeann Watters) in the bumper at 16.30. We don´t expect them all to win, but some should do so; in fact we prefer The Hairy Lemon (James Ewart/ Bryan Hughes) in the opener, and CD specialist Bene Lad (Jim Goldie/ Richie McGragh) at 15.30.

Today´s flat racing is pretty disdmal. Harry Buckle (Charlie McBride/ William Carson) is improving and can take the 10 furlongs handicap off bottom weight at Lingfield at 15.20, while Sporting Gold (Roger Varian/ Jamie Spencer) should win the maiden over the same trip half an hour later. We don´t normally bet in class 7 handicaps, but shall make an exception in the case of the 17.35 race over 7 furlongs at Wolverhampton. Ex-Irish Hittin the Skids (Kevin Ryan/ Paddy Aspell) won over this CD a week ago on his first start for his new stable and can follow up under a penalty, although the placed horses from that race now reoppose on better terms.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Sizing Kimberlite - Stop The Clock - Peinora
2. Race: Call The Police - Foildubh - Odonimee
3. Race: Cadspeed - Galianna - Force Of Habit
4. Race: War Correspondent - Coolnagorna Giggs - Rocknrollrambo
5. Race: Dazzlers Day - Jacks Island - Bobsthewizard
6. Race: Mount Vesuvius - Shanroe Society - Whatsthecrack Jack
7. Race: Briar Hill - Cyras Love - In The Gate

German-breds at Musselburgh

with Cheltenham off, today´s main meeting is now at Musselburgh, which sees the start of Channel 4 ´s new racing programme with the wonderful Clare Balding as presenter. An interesting feature of the racing is the number of German-breds running and we hope to see success for at least one of them.
Main event is the 2 mile handicap hurdle at 15.45, where Fährhof-bred Cool Baranca (Dianne and Liz Sayer) runs, but he is only an outsider here. The lightly-raced Swing Bowler (David Pipe/ Conor O´farrell) and Amok (Tim Vaughan/ Aidan Coleman) are the likely favourites here, and the former is unbeaten after winning two bumpers and twice over hurdles; the handicapper must have found it difficult to assess this pair, but we convinced that they can conquer some battle-hardened rivals. Brian Ellison clearly wants to win this, as he saddles 4 runners, and we like both Dontpaytheferryman (Kyle James)- a real CD specialist so his poor form at other tracks must not be taken too seriously - and Ultimate (Danny Cook), only narrowly beaten when fifth in a tight finish here last time.
David Pipe sends 3 more runners on the long journey to Scotland, two of them with good chances - E Street Boy (Conor O´Farrell) in the handicap chase at 15.15, and Home Run (FJ Hayes) who has top-weight in the handicap hurdle at 16.20. Regular readers will now that we have tipped Home Run, bred by Gestüt Ammerland and a close relation to Hurricane Run, the last 4 times that he has run- and he won all four times within the space of less than 4 weeks. We do not know much about his jockey, a 10 lbs claimer, but Home Run has won his races under claimers, and despite a penalty of a stone for winning twice since Boxing Day (!), he can win again.
Two more German-breds here are Quadrata (Tim Vaughan/ Aidan Coleman) in the opening novice hurdle at 13.35, and our old friend Los Nadis (Jim Goldie/ Graham Watters) in the handicap hurdle over 3 miles at 14.40. Los Nadis´ recent form is not that great, but he loves this track and we expect him to run a big race today. We made a favourable note of Quadrata last time at Folkestone , although he was beaten a long way, and this shorter trip and better ground will surely suit him well.
The other race we would like to mention is the maiden hurdle at 14.20 at Fakenham, with some very interesting recuits from the flat. Edmaaj (Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy), The Tiger (Ed Dunlop!/ Paul Moloney) and Watered Silk (Lucy Wadham/ Robert Thornton) were all multiple winners on the flat, but none of them was a patch on Chabal (John Ferguson/ Denis O´Regan), who was group class for Godolphin in 2010. He has not run since, but Fergusdon does extremely well with his ex-flat horses over hurdles and Chabal is our best bet of the day.

Betting forecast Musselburgh:
1. Race: Jonny Delta - Rockawango - Cayman Islands
2. Race: Lets Get Serious - Swift Arrow - Niceonefrankie
3. Race: Imperial Vic - Lord Wishes - Monetary Fund
4. Race: Pena Dorada - Exotic Man - Dystonia`S Revenge
5. Race: Swing Bowler - Call Back - Agent Archie
6. Race: Phase Shift - Weetfromthechaff - Urban Kode