German fillies at Lingfield

the owners of Britain´s all-weather tracks are planning a massive upgrade of their winter programme, and the first fruits can be seen at Lingfield this afternoon, with an unusually strong card for a Thursday, including two listed races for fillies with a German runner in each. Moi Lolita (Markus Klug/ Andreas Helfenbein) runs over a mile at 15.50 CET, while Lalandia (Peter Schiergen/ Andrasch Starke) follows half an hour later over five furlongs further. Although the fields are quite large, there is not much quality opposition and we think that both German fillies have a good each-way chance, especially Lalandia, who should be well suited by this longer distance after finishing second at Munich over 11 furlongs last time. Banoffee (Hughie Morrison/ Jimmy Fortune) is best on ratings here, but ran badly last time, although her 7th place in the Oaks obviously makes her the form choice. In our view Phaenonema (Lady cecil/ Paul Hanagan) and especially German-bred Phiz (John Gosden/ Robert Havlin), runner-up in the Park Hill, are the main dangers. French challenger Collusiva (Giuseppe Botti/ Martin Harley) does not look good enough in the mile race, while Enrol (Sir Michael Stoute/ James Doyle) has never raced beyond 7 furlongs and Galician (Mark Johnston/ Joe Fanning) was 4th in a similar event at Colpgne, but runs much too often for our liking. Valais Girl (Marcus regoning/ Harry Bentley) finished in front of Enrol last time and could be the main threat. Also at Lingfield, the 7 furlongs handicap at 15.20 looks a hot race, but bottom-weight Horsted Keynes (Roger Varian/ Andrea Atzeni) seems very fairly treated and can win his third race in 4 career starts.

The rest of the afternoon´s racing is over jumps. Tony McCoy needs only 9 more winners to reach the magic total of 4,000; he has 3 rides at Stratford and could well win on all 3. Nicky Henderson´s Snake Eyes is obviously a major prospect and should take the novice hurdle at 15.40, while Jonjo O´Neill´s Very Stylish is well handicapped at 16.10 and shoud go better on this much softer going. Rebecca Curtis` Bob Keown is a bit of an unknown quantity in the maiden hurdle at 17.10, but McCoy has an excellent strike rate for this trainer.

ex- German Lysino (Chris Grant/ Brian Harding) must have a decent each-way chance in the handicap hurdle at 14.30 at Sedgefield; he is probably not as useful as his half-brothers Lyssio and Lyvius, but does not have to be in this company. We also like Bourne (Donald McCain(/ Jason Maguire) in his first attempt at a long distance at 15.00 here, as well as CD specialist Sendiym (Dianne Sayer/ Brian Hughes) at 16.30.
In Ireland there are some big fields at Clonmel, where we shall take a chance on German-bred Catch Me (Edward O´Grady/ Mark Walsh) who has top weight in the handicap hurdle 15.55. He used to be very smart but has not won now for 4 years; however he is now very well handicapped and has not totally lost form. He has been running in far better races than this and we hope that he still retains enough ability to score here.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Song Of Norway - Nice Life - Shasta Daisy
2. Race: Three Cliffs - My Target - Zerfaal
3. Race: Maraayill - Kafeel - Ganges
4. Race: Horsted Keynes - Favourite Treat - Noble Citizen
5. Race: Enrol - Indignant - Moi Lolita
6. Race: Banoffee - Lalandia - Phaenomena
7. Race: Red Warrior - Fairyinthewind - Modernism
8. Race: Bassett Road - Wordismybond - One Way Or Another

interesting newcomers over jumps

today´s flat racing is of very low quality, but there are some interesting newcomers over jumps who should be watched. David Pipe sends Azza and The Liquidator on the long journey to Carlisle and both are expected to win with stable jockey Tom Scudamore in the saddle. The former runs in the 3yo hurdle at 14.10 CET and his French form should be good enough for him to score on his British debut, while the latter is a Grade One bumper winner making his hurdling debut at 15.10. Spookydooky (Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy), who has already run a decent race over sticks, looks the only danger and his team remain in tremendous form. They can in any case take the handicap chase at 15.40 with Full of Joy. These are McCoy´s only rides of the day, but it is widely expected that he will reach the almost unbelievable total of 4,000 winners over jumps in the next few days.

In Ireland, the first 4 races at Punchestown will be run 5 minutes later than advertised. Lucky Bridle (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh) makes his hurdling debut at 14.10; he was listed class on the flat in France and was bought for a high price by his new connections. Morning Assembly /(Pat Fahy/ Walsh) and Our Vinnie (Charlie Byrnes/ RJ Jones) are two of last season´s top novice hurdlers making their chasing debut at 16.10. There are high hopes for both of them. but today we prefer the former. We also expect Too Scoops (Henry de Bromhead/ Andrew Lynch) to make up for last time´s mishap by winning the beginners chase at 15.40, while Thunder and Roses (Dessie Hughjes/ Davy Russell) can take the maiden hurdle at 14.40.

Betting forecast Carlisle:
1. Race: Banreenahreenkah - Most Honourable - Major Parkes
2. Race: The Nephew - Forgotten Symphony - On Broadway
3. Race: Spookydooky - Damascus Steel - Tourtiere
4. Race: Full Of Joy - Chac Du Cadran - My Boy Paddy
5. Race: Knockraheen - Ballyben - Big Casino
6. Race: Kykate - Swaledale Lad - Definite Dream
7. Race: Albatros Tresor - Gone Forever - Lebanna

heavy ground today

not surprisingly, the ground will be heavy at the 3 British meetings this afternoon. This always makes things difficult for punters, and the N.H. card at Ffos Las is especially tricky with some very small fields. The most interesting race here is the 3 mile handicap hurdle at 16.00 CET, with 2 lightly-raced and relatively unexposed runners likely to fight out the finish- Water Wagtail (Emma Lavelle/ Gavin Sheehan) and Minella for Steak (Jonjo O´Neill/ AP McCoy). Both stables are in good form, and Minella for Steak is the likely favourite after running well at Huntingdon last time, but Water Wagtail is a very interesting prospect and must be seriously considered. At Yarmouth we like ex-Peter Schiergen Collodi (Roger and Ned Curtis) in the mile handicap at 15.10. He won so easily at Windsor last week with this jockey aboard that he should be able to defy his 6 lbs penalty. Another ex-German runner is Mespone (Alan Bailey/ Robert Winston), who won twice for Mario Hofer at Cagnes last winter. He seems more likely to act on the ground than the expected favourites here and could run well at a big price.

The same goes for Toughness Danon (Ian Williams/ Robbie Fitzpatrick) who runs in the 2 mile handicap handicap at 16.20 at Catterick. Hard to imagine that he was once third in the German Derby! He won recently over hurdles but his flat form in the U.K. is awful; however 2 miles on heavy ground, which he has never experienced before, may be just what he needs.

Betting forecast Yarmouth:
1. Race: Hands Up - Bilimbi - Gift Of Rain
2. Race: Wrangler - Mannaro - Stout Cortez
3. Race: Magique - Collodi - Barwick
4. Race: Firecruise - Shyron - Baileys Forever
5. Race: Minimee - Red Catkin - Cherry Tiger
6. Race: Saigon City - Martian - Mystery Bet
7. Race: Ticoz - Father Shine - Reach The Beach

All British racing off today

Today´s N.H. meeting at Bangor has been abandoned following heavy overnight rain, and so has the flat racing at Leicester and Redcar for the same reason. There is now no racing at all in the U.K. today, however there is some good N.H. racing in Ireland, particularly at Naas. We fancy Oscars Well (Jessica Harrington/ Barry Geraghty) to take the main event, the Grade Three Poplar Square Chase at 14.45 CET, and Waaheb (Dermot Weld/ Mark Walsh) the hurdle race at 15.15, but both face stern opposition.

Jumping today

The flat season is almost over and today we have only 4 N.H. fixtures, 2 in the U.K. and 2 in Ireland. The Grade Three novice chase at 16.35 CET at Galway is the best event, but looks slightly sub-standard. Shrapnel (Gordfon Elliott/ Davy Russell) will probably start a warm favourite here; a useful hurdler. he won his first chase, but was not greatly impressive. It might be worth taking a chance on Shadow Eile (Di Love/ Andrew McNamara), the only mare in the field, who is much better than her form figures indicate.

At Wexford, the listed chase over 2 3/4 miles at 16.20 is the main feature. Doublke Seven (Martin Brassil/ Mark Walsh) is in great form and has won his last 4 races. He is best in according to offficial ratings but we shall oppose him with Laganbank (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh), Ruby´s only ride of the day, who looks capable of much better things. Sweeney Tunes (Paul Nolan/ Andrew Lynch) is also decent but probably needs further - he was 4th in the Irish Grand National. Our best bet here is Carriganog (Aidan O´Brien/ Robbie Power) in the novice hurdle at 15.50. The trainer is of course best known for his high class flat performers, but started out in N.H. racing; Carriganog was twice uinplaced in bumpers, ridden by the trainer´s teenage daughter, but won his first hurdle race in style, despite showing inexperience, and is probably much better than this grade.

In the U.K. there is racing at Aintree and Wincanton. At the former track we like German-bred Lovcen (Alan King/ Robert Thornton) in the 3 mile handicap hurdle at 15.05; he was well behind Ely Brown (Charlie Longsdon/ Chatlie Deutsch) in this race last year but meets him now on miucvh better terms. We also like Stagecoach Pearl (Sue Smith/ Jonathan England) at 15.40, who was out of sorts last year but showed signs of returning to form last time, and Ruacana (John Ferguson/ Denis O´Regan) at 16.15. At Wincanton, it should pay to follow Paul Nicholls´ runners at his local track; the stable is coming into form and he has 5 runners, all of whom have chances.

Galway - betting forecast:
1. Race: Blow The Doors Off - Gold Not Silver - Apisata
2. Race: Royal Vic - Mr Cosmopolitan - Aerlite Supreme
3. Race: Fosters Cross - Rocky Wednesday - Blacklough
4. Race: Band Of Blood - Top Cat Henry - Flanagans Field
5. Race: Shrapnel - Six Stone Ned - Clar Na Mionn
6. Race: Popaflora - Pat Garrett - Georgie
7. Race: Couleur France - Quinville Castle - Dream Beat

Two group races at Newbury

Newbury, where the going is heavy, also stages a strong card featuring two Group Three races. The Horris Hill Stakes for 2yo´s over 7 furlongs at 15.20 CET is clearly much below the standard of the Group One for this age group at Doncaster and it will be surprising if these runners are up to classic level next season. Galiway (André Fabre/ Olivier Peslier) is the most interesting runner.

The well-bred Wertheimer colt narrowly won his only start so far, a maiden at Saint-Cloud; on the face of it, this form would not justify his being favourite here, but his trainer has an excellent strike rate in Britain and is not sendng him across the channel in order to sample the local wine. Piping Rock (Richard Hannon/ Pat Dobbs) is the alternative, having won both his races so far , one of them on heavy ground. The St. Simon Stakes over 1 1/2 miles at 15.55 could go to Godolphin, who have two runners Prince Bishop /Saeed bin Suroor/ Silvestre de Sousa) and Masterstroke (Charlie Appleby/ Adam Kirby).

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Cameo Tiara - Cascading - Crystal Nymph
2. Race: Cay Dancer - Acclio - Yeah Baby
3. Race: Galiway - Piping Rock - Morning Post
4. Race: Prince Bishop - Quiz Mistress - Nichols Canyon
5. Race: Cashpoint - Mister Music - Hi There
6. Race: Veiled Intrigue - Pretty Flemingo - Azagal
7. Race: Jubilante - Dusky Queen - Magic Destiny
8. Race: One Pursuit - Highway Code - Spin Cast

rest of Doncaster

The Doncaster card opens with a listed race for 2yo´s over 6 furlongs at 15.05. Stubbs (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien) is potentially the best runner here, but he has been off since running sixth as favourite for the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and has to concede weight all round. Umnder the circumstances we prefer Night of Thunder (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes), very easy winner at Goodwood on his debut 11 days ago, and Rufford (Richard Fahey/ Ryan Moore) who has some good form to his name.

The conditions race over 7 furlongs at 18.00 has attracted a small but select field. Highland Colori (Andrew Balding/ Oisin Murphy) is a horse we like. He was an impressive winner of the Ayr Gold Cup with this jockey and followed up with a good performance in a Group Two over this trip at Newmarket. However he has to concede 7 lbs to the other 4 runners and Sovereign Debt (Michael Bell/ Moore) in particular looks very dangerous. He goes well on the soft and has been running - without much success- in much better company.

The rest of the card consists of very tricky handicaps. Most of the runners in the 5 furlongs handicap at 16.15 hasve met before, several of them in the listed race over this trip at Ascot 3 weeks ago, in which Steps (Roger Varian/ Andreas Atzeni) was a narrow winner; he is now worse off at the weights with most of them but should run another big race. Several also ran in this race last year, in which Jamaican Bolt (Geoff Oldroyd/ James Doyle) was runner-up and he also goes on the short list, together withPearl Blue (Chris Wall/ Ted Durcan) and Judge `n Jury (Ron Harris/ Ross Coakley).

Many of the runners in the 1 1/2 mile handicap at 15.40 have also met before, notably in a similar race at York a fortnight ago, in which the whole field could have been covered by a blanket. Van Percy (Balding/ Cathy Gannon) looked a bit unlucky there ifn fifth and we make him the selection, although Godolphin´s improving Ennistown (Appleby/ Barzalona) is an obvious danger.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Karinga Dancer - Mwaleshi - Liberty`S Gift
2. Race: Your Busy - Categorical - Jamsie Hall
3. Race: Wishfull Thinking - Walkon - Edgardo Sol
4. Race: Kruzhlinin - Rossini`S Dancer - Howard`S Legacy
5. Race: Cruising Bye - Vimiero - Milano Magic
6. Race: Beeves - Yesyoucan - Shutthefrontdoor
7. Race: Regal Encore - Salto Chisco - Garde La Victoire

Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster

The Group One Racing Post Trophy for 2yo´s over a mile at 16.50 CET at Doncaster has a deserved reputation as a guide to next year´s classics with 4 Derby winners this century, while we have not forgotten Vaguely Noble who went on to win the Arc back in 1968! In recent years it has been dominated by Aidan O´Brien who has won the race 7 times, usually with very lightly-raced juveniles.

He has 3 runners this time, with his son Joseph riding Century, easy winner of his only start a fortnight ago, and Paul Hanagan on Buonarotti and Ryan Moore on Johann Strauss, one of only 2 maidens in the field. Obviously all 3 must be respected, although Joseph has the choice and is probably on the best one. Johnny Murtagh´s Altruistic and Pat Shanahan´s no-hoper Dolce N Karama are two more Irish challengers, but we are hoping for a Newmarket victory, with both Kingston Hill (Roger Varian/ Andrea Atzeni) and Pinzolo (Charlie Appleby/ Mickael Barzalona) strongly fancied after winning both their starts in style. The former is owned by Paul Smith, not the designer but the son of Derrick Smith, a partner in the Coolmore runners, but our main hope is that Appleby can win his fisrt Group One with the Monsun colt Pinzolo. CVhief Barker (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) is also unbeaten and comes from a stable with a good line to 2yo form, while Snow Sky (Sir Michael Stoute/ James Doyle) won last time by 11 lengths and Somewhat (Mark Johnston/ Joe Fanning) is actually the highest-rated runner, but possibly vulnerable to the less exposed types. This looks a strong renewal and whoever wins it will automatically become a leading fancy for Epsom next June.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Karinga Dancer - Mwaleshi - Liberty`S Gift
2. Race: Your Busy - Categorical - Jamsie Hall
3. Race: Wishfull Thinking - Walkon - Edgardo Sol
4. Race: Kruzhlinin - Rossini`S Dancer - Howard`S Legacy
5. Race: Cruising Bye - Vimiero - Milano Magic
6. Race: Beeves - Yesyoucan - Shutthefrontdoor
7. Race: Regal Encore - Salto Chisco - Garde La Victoire

listed race this evening in Ireland

the only black type race today is the listed event over 5 furlongs at 21.15 CET on the all-weather at Dundalk. This is one of the few races in which 2yo´s can compete against older horses and we like the only juvenile in the field Fast In The Wind (Peter Deegan/ Chris Hayes), who has been off the track for 5 months but looked very speedy in the spring.


The two British raiders Monsieur Joe (Robert Cowell/ Joseph O´Brien) and Angels Will Fall (Charlie Hills/ Wayne Lordan) should both be in the money, while Nocturnal Affair (David Marnane/ Billy Lee) looks best of the other Irish runners.

At Newbury the card starts with 4 races for 2yo´s, with some interesting newcomers from top stables, followed by 4 very tricky handicaps.Charlie Hills has a Chance here as well with bottpom-weight Storm (Robert Tart) over 10 furlongs at 16.35. However this race looks very open and our main preference is for Running Deer (Lady Cecil/ Louis Steward), who has only been put up 4 lbs for winning well at York last time. In the following mile handicap we like The Scuttler (Mick Channon/ Charles Bishop), who ran well last time on heavy ground (expected again).

Doncaster also starts with 2yo races followed by very difficult handicaps. The 6 furlongs race here at 16.10 is the best betting race of the day, but our original fancy Our Jonathan is drawn 7 and history has shown that high numbers have a big advantage here. Our short list of 3 therefore comprises Royal Rock (Chris Wall/ Ted Durcan), Gramercy /David Simcock/ Darren Egan) and Yeeow (Karl Burke/ Martin Harley). Mister Impatience (Mark Johnston/ Michael Murphy) was thought of as a potential German Derby horse earlier in the season, but has failed to meet expectations; we shall give him another chance in the 1 3/4 miles handicap at 16.45.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Danseur De Feu - Mischief N Mayhem - Fitrah
2. Race: Cristy`s Call - Khelino - Charlotte Rua
3. Race: Maal - Elusive Award - Rose Angel
4. Race: He`S Got Rhythm - Six Of Hearts - Jamesie
5. Race: Amygdala - Elegant Peace - Caso Do Lago
6. Race: Nocturnal Affair - Angels Will Fall - Monsieur Joe
7. Race: Lonan - Waydownsouth - Equation Of Time
8. Race: Woodsophiesmile - The Black Devil - Flowing Air

4 N.H. meetings today

the only flat racing today is the low-level all-weather meeting at Wolverhampton this evening, but the 4 N.H. meetings this afternoon have much more to offer.
Tony McCoy makes the .long journey North to Carlisle,where we expect him to have several winners. He could well take the first 3 races with Milan Bound at 14.50 CET, Pendra at 15.20 and Upswing at 15.55, all in the colours of his boss JP McManus. Pendra is the most interesting of these; a smart hurdler and runner-up in the Tolworth Hurdle, he is trained by red-hot Charlie Longsdon and is making his chase debut here. However he is no penalty kick as Eduard (Nicky Richards/ Brian Harding) was actually higher rated over hurdles, while Tour d´Argent, previously trained by Nicky Henderson but now with Donald McCain, was also of similar ability. We also cannot resist a small bet on Vic Venturi (Adrian Wintle/ Jason Maguire) in the long distance chase at 16.25, as we backed him in both the 2010 and 2011 Grand Nationals. He is now 13 and certainly not as good as he used to be, but could still run well in this much lower grade.
Charlie Longsdon could also be on the scorecard at Southwell, where both his runners, Long Wave at 14.30 and Investissement at 17.05, both partnered by Richard Johnson) have winning chances.
3 short-priced favourites who could score at Ludlow are Curzon Line (John Ferguson/ Denis O´Regan) at 15.40, Midnight Cataria (Alan King/ Wayne Hutchinson) at 17.15 and Makari (Nicky Henderson/ Nico de Bloinville) at 18.20.
Therer are some big fields at the Irish meeting at Thurles. Willie Mullins has 3 of the 7 runners in the 2 3/4 mile hurdle at 16.20. Drive Time (Ruby Walsh) is up in trip. but looks by far the best of them on form. Clarcam (Gordon Elliott/ Davy Russell) has been runner-up on both his starts over hurdles and can make it third time lucky in the 3yo hurdle at 15.45, where useful flat handicapper Indian Icon (Dessie Hughes/ Bryan Cooper) looks the main danger.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Daring Dragon - Tiger Jim - Speedfit Boy
2. Race: Dustland Fairytale - Prigsnov Dancer - Fantasy Invader
3. Race: Cape Of Hope - Pilates - Bogsnog
4. Race: Dodina - Benoni - Unknown Villain
5. Race: Fantasy In Blue - Flemish School - Great Fighter
6. Race: You Look So Good - Natures Law - Whispering Lady
7. Race: Bison Grass - Memphis Magic - Wall Street Boss
8. Race: Muthafar - Tribal Path - Lyric Piece

2yo´s at Newmarket

after more rain last night, the going today will be soft everywhere and punters should bear this on mind.
2yo races dominate the card at Newmarket, with 5 of the 6 races restricted to this age group. There are some extremely well-bred and expensive purchases making their debut here, e.g. Naadirr (Marco Botti/ Martin Harley) who cost 425,000 guineas and runs at 16.05 CET and Danjeu (John Gosden/ William Buick), 725,000, at 17.10, but with so little form to go on, these races should be watched for future reference only. For betting purposes, the fillies handicap over a mile at 17.45, the only race for older runners, is of more interest. Galician (Mark Johnston/ Joe Fanning), fourth in a listed race at Cologne last time, has top weight, but we got the Impression that she is getting a bit tired, and prefer the lightly-raced bottom-weight Cosseted (James Fanshawe/ Andrea Atzeni), who is up in grade but being a daughter of Pivotal should enjoy the ground.
There is also flat racing in Ireland at Navan. with 4 races for 2yo´s on the card. Belisaurius (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien) was beaten at odds-on over this CD a fortnight ago but could recover those losses today, and this opposition does not look quite so strong.
They go over jumps at Worcester and Fontwell. At the former track, the most interesting event is the handicap chase over 2 miles 7 furlongs at 15.40. Strangely enough, several of the leading candidates are making their chasing debut. Big Society (Tom George/ Paddy Brennan) was a smart novice hurdler, while Trafalgar (Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies) was very promising but has been off the track for almost 2 years. At these weights we prefer Spanish Arch (Charlie Longsdon/ Kielan Woods), who might turn out to be useful over fences and represents a yard in red-hot form.
At Fontwell we like Regal Park (Gary and Joshua Moore) in the opening handicap hurdle for conditional jockeys. He has so far shown very little over hurdles, but he had useful form on the flat on soft ground and this race looks very weak.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Fray - Eastern Belle - Saltwater Creek
2. Race: Mutakayyef - Naadirr - Pretzel
3. Race: Cape Wrath - Sudden Wonder - Noble Metal
4. Race: Munjaz - Touch The Sky - Danjeu
5. Race: Maid A Million - Deglet Noor - Narmin
6. Race: Anglophile - Devilment - Alisios

only 3 in main event

the most interesting race today is the beginners chase over 3 miles at 15.40 CET at Exeter, but only for future reference - for betting purposes it should be left alone with only 3 runners. All 3 have great potential, but Sonofvic (Paul Nicholls/ Daryl Jacob) is the only one actually to have run over fences - and that was 2 years ago. He has now been off the track since falling (over hurdles) at the 2012 Cheltenham Festival. Kentford Grey Lady (Emma Lavelle/ Noel Fehily) ran a really good race at that meeting, when runner-up to Quevega in the mares hurdle, and she has arguably the best hurdles form but is making her chase debut here. Rendi Beach (Rebecca Curtis/ Tony McCoy) twice flopped at odds-on last winter, but had earlier shown great promise when winning 2 bumpers and his first race over sticks. A better betting race is the handicap hurdle at 17.10, in which we go for Amok (Tim Vaughan/ Richard Johnson), but the Shirocco gelding is having his first run since February; top-weight Surf and Turf (Jonjo O´Neill/ McCoy) is an obvious threat, although he is running for ther first time over hurdles for 2 years, but he has been in good form over fences.
The only flat racing on turf is at Yarmouth, but although most of the top jockeys are there, the standard of racing is low and plenty of non-runners make tipping difficult. Chooseday (Kevin Ryan/ Graham Lee) has been very disapppointing recently but has been dropped in the weights and is now down in grade in the 6 furlongs handicap at 16.50; we shall give him another chance in a very open race. This event could be dominated by the top-weights, as Green Howard (Robin Bastiman( Jason Hart) and Gatepost (Richard Fahey/ Paul Hanagan), penalised for winning last week at Windsor, look the main dangers.

Betting forecast Exeter:
1. Race: Lumpys Gold - Un Ami - Hare In A Round
2. Race: Kentford Grey Lady - Sonofvic - Rendl Beach
3. Race: Horizontal Speed - Minella Friend - Brinestine
4. Race: Red Riverman - Annacotty - Funny Star
5. Race: Amok - Surf And Turf - Ullswater
6. Race: The Potting Shed - Milarrow - Bendant
7. Race: Leviche - Henri De Boistron - Ceevee

Listed race at Pontefract

The best race today is the listed mile race for 2yo´s at 16.40 CET at Pontefract. None of the 6 runners looks a potential star, but Bow Creek (Mark Johnston/ Joe Fanning), Day of Conquest (Richard Hannon/ Pat Dobbs) and Safety Check (Charlie Appleby/ Mickael Barzalona) have all won twice, though not at this level, and one of them will probably win today. We give slight peference to the Godolphin runner, whose form reads best.

The 5 furlongs handicap here at 16.10 looks competitive and veteran Oldjoesaid must have a chance after winning over this CD last time, but we prefer Cheveton (Richard Price/ Louis Steward), penalised 6 lbs for winning at Nottingham last week, who is also a CD winner and will love the heavy ground. It will also be heavy at Windsor, where we hope that Solemn (Milton Bradley/ Adam Kirby) can finally come good in the 5 furlongs handicap at 18.00; he is not as good as his half-brothers Penitent and Supplicant but has been dropped in the weights and is down in grade here. Ex-German Collodi (Roger and Ned Curtis) has top weight in the mile handicap at 17.00. We are not sure that he will go on the ground, and has run badly on his two British starts, but he is very well handicapped in his German form.

Another ex-Peter Schiergen runner is Cabimas (Gary and Joshua Moore) who runs over hurdles at 17.20 at Plumpton. Again we are not so sure about the going and also the distance - much further than anything he has tried before- but he might just run a good race at a big price.

Top hurdlers at Kempton

With the Champions Day on the flat now behind us, interest is increasingly centred on N.H. racing and some stars are on view at Kempton´s first jumps meeting of the season today. There are only 5 runners in the listed hurdle race over 2 miles at 17.25 CET, but they include two Grade One winners- Rock On Ruby (Harry Fry/ Noel Fehily), who won the Champion Hurdle in 2012 and was runner-up this year, and The New One (Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies), who has won 7 of his 10 races and looks a major prospect for this season. However his Cheltenham Festival victory came over a longer distance, and he could find this trip on the sharp side, so we prefer Rock On Ruby today.

Although it is clear that they both need the race as their main targets are coming much later. The other 3 runners get 8 lbs from this pair and are all useful, but are likely to be outclassed. There is also a budding star over hurdles to be seen in the listed race for novices at 16.20: Sea Lord (John Ferguson/ Denis O´Regan) who has won 12 of his 22 starts, including not only his last 5 over sticks but also a group race on the flat. Ferguson, aka Sheikh Mohammed´s bloodstock adviser, has his string in great form and despite some useful opposition, Sea Lord should continue his winning run. Another smart hurdler Dodging Bullets (Paul Nicholls/ Daryl Jacob) makes his chasing debut at 15.45 and if he jumps round safely should not be troubled to score, while the same team can also take the opening 3yo hurdle at 15.15 with French import Aidopicgros.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Aldopicgros - Duroble Man - Town Mouse
2. Race: Turn Over Sivola - Earls Quarter - Grabtheglory
3. Race: Sea Lord - Azure Fly - Life And Soul
4. Race: Highrate - Western King - Sadler`S Star
5. Race: Rock On Ruby - Australia Day - Coronea Lilly
6. Race: Cap Elorn - Alfraamsey - Giant O Murchu
7. Race: Howlongisafoot - Warden Hill - Master Benjamin

Rest of Champions Day

the remainder of Champions Day at Ascot is also of great interest, with four more top races. The most popular winner of the day would undoubtedly be the Queen´s Estimate (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore) in the opening Long Distance Cup at 14.45 CET. The 4yo daughter of Monsun has everything in her favour today. She has not run since winning the Gold Cup here in June, but runs best fresh.

She is unbeaten in 3 starts at Ascot, including twice over this CD, and soft ground should hold no problems for her. It is difficult to find an alternative, as the otjhers have been running against each with varying success all season. The consistent Ahzeemah (Saeed bin Suroor/ Silvestre de Sousa) has never yet been out of the money and has been first or second in his last 11 starts; he should certainly be placed again, but we cannot see him beating Estimate. Aiken (John Gosden/ Richard Hughes) was runner-up here last year and although his 2013 form is poor, should again get involved, while last year´s winning team of Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen are now represented by Pale Mimosa. However the improving 3yo Eye of the Storm (Aidan O´Brien/ Willi Lee) could be the better Irish hope. But basically it should be "hats off for the Queen!"

It could be a big day for Monsun, as apart from Estimate, he has Triple Threat in the big one, and we also fancy Maxios (Jonathan Pease/ Stephane Pasquier) in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes over a mile at 16.30. He has been tried over various distances, but in our view a straight mile on soft ground is ideal and his last performance was most impressive. Olympic Glory (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) came close to defeating the top class Moonlight Cloud at Deauville, and we prefer him to 2,000 Guineas winner Dawn Approach (Jim Bolger/ Kevin Manning) and the South African Soft Falling Rain (Mike de Kock/ Paul Hanagan). Gordon Lord Byron (Tom Hogan/ Johnny Murtagh) is a horse we like, but this distance is probably too far for him.

The two top-rated runners in the Fillies & Mares Stakes at 15.55 are French hope Dalkala (Alain de Royer-Dupré/ Christophe Soumillon) and Germany´s Nymphea (Peter Schiergen/ Andrasch Starke). We would love to see Nymphea win, but this ground will not be to her liking and we prefer the French filly, but Oaks winner Talent (Ralph Beckett/ Jim Crowley) and Hot Snap (Lady Cecil/ James Doyle) are also dangers.

The Sprint Stakes over 6 furlongs at 15.20 is another race with a really strong field, and the Irish are likely to dominate here. Maarek (Barry Lalor/ Declan McDonagh) and Eddie Lynam´s pair Slade Power (Wayne Lordan) and Viztoria (Pat Smullen) make a strong team. Maarek won this last year and showed tremendous speed to win at Longchamp last time; he loves the soft ground and has to be the selection. Best of the Brits are Jack Dexter (Jim Goldie/ Graham Lee) and Sirius Prospect (Dean Ivory/ Robert Winston).

Champion Stakes at Ascot

the Qipco Champion Stakes over 10 furlongs at 17.05 CET today is the highlight of British Champions Day at Ascot and is one of the most valuable races of the season in Europe. The French have an excellent record here - including in the days when it was run at Newmarket - and we expect a French winner again today. The 7yo gelding Cirrus des Aigles (Corinne Barande-Barbe/ Christophe Soumillon) won this in 2011 and was runner-up the mighty Frankel last year. He was officially rated the best horse in the world after the retirement of Black Caviar, although we feel he has been overrated; however his form here gives him an obvious chance and the soft ground is ideal. He appeared to have lost form earlkier this season, but his last 2 victories, including his easy success for the third time in the Prix Dollar, show that he is nearly back to his best and he will be hard to beat. His fellow "frogs" Morandi (Jean-Claude Rouget/ Christophe Lemaire) and Triple Threat (André Fabre/ Maxime Guyon) could be the main threats and will also like the going.

Best of the Brits is clearly Godolphin´s Farhh (Saeed bin Suroor/ Silvestre de Sousa), who has not run since his easy Lockinge win in May; that was over a mile, but this trip is also no problem, nor is the long break, however we are a bit worried about the ground; he is out of the German mare Gonbarda, a daughter of Lando, and possibly needs faster ground to show his best form. Hillstar (Sir Michael Stoute/ Richard Hughes ) also has a chance, but it could be significant that Ryan Moore has jumped ship in order to partner Aidan O´Brien´s Ruler of the World, winner of the Derby, but well beaten last time in the Arc. Arc runners have a poor record here - remember Nijinsky!_ and we cannot fancy him. The other Irish runner Parish Hall (Jim Bolger/ Kevin Manning) also needs faster going, and the rest do not look good enough, so this should be another Gallic victory.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Estimate - Ahzeemah - Harris Tweed
2. Race: Maarek - Jack Dexter - Viztoria
3. Race: Talent - Dalkala - Hot Snap
4. Race: Dawn Approach - Olympic Glory - Maxios
5. Race: Cirrus des Aigles - Farhh - Mukhadram
6. Race: Breton Rock - Balty Boys - Sir Reginald

Cheltenham season starts today

There is some flat racing today, but pride of place goes to N.H. racing and in particular to Cheltenham, which stages its first day of the 2013-4 season with a strong card. There could well be some future stars in action today, and the opening novice hurdle at 15.10 CET was won last year by The New One, later an impressive Festival winner. His team are now represented by Pure Science (Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies), a smart bumper horse making his hurdling debut, and he could well follow up against some tough and experienced opposition. A large number of today´s runners are having their first race since the spring, and fitness could well be an advantage and in this respect we would not be surprised to see several Irish-trained winners. Rebel Fitz (Mike Winters/ Barry Geraghty) has already won 5 races this season and can score again at 15.40, despite giving weight to two useful rivals.

The 3 mile handicap hurdle qualifier at 16.15 was won by last year by Dessie Hughes and Bryan Cooper and they now team up with Rare Bob; this smart staying chaser - 5th in the Grand National- is very well handicapped over hurdles and we think he could take this very open event. Another possible Irish winner is Sizing Symphony (Henry de Bromhead/ Andrew Lynch) in the novice chase over 3 miles at 16.50; he is up in distance, but has won here and we do not expect this trip to be a problem. A horse we have always liked is German-bred Fredo (Ian Williams/ Sam Waley-Cohen) who runs in the amateur riders chase at 18.00. He has not won for ages but has usually been competing in much better company and with a top amateur on board should go close here. The two obvjuous candidates in the maiden hurdle at 17.25 are Lac Fontana (Paul Nicholls/ Daryl Jacob) and Germany Calling (Charlie Longsdon/ Noel Fehily). The former, 8th in the Triumph Hurdle, is probably the better long-term prospect but for today we prefer the latter, whose team continues in red-hot form.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Saint Roque - Rum And Butter - Pure Science
2. Race: Third Intention - Taquin Du Seuil - Third Intention
3. Race: Pure Faith - Captain Sunshine - Mission Complete
4. Race: Pantxoa - Sizing Symphony - Twirling Magnet
5. Race: Lac Fontana - Germany Calling - Hawaii Five Nil
6. Race: Oscar Davy - Fredo - Dammam
7. Race: Della Sun - Foxcub - Laudatory

Good jumps card in Ireland today

The 4 British meetings today are nothing much, but there is a good jumps card in Ireland at Punchestown, with 3 graded races. Easily the best horse entered is First Lieutenant (Mouse Morris/ Davy Russell) who runs in the 2 mile 7 furlongs chase at 17.15 CET. He is one of the best chasers around and won Aintree´s Betfred Bowl last April as well as being placed in the Ryanair Chase, Hennessy Gold Cup and other top races.

His owner Gigginstown have 4 of the 6 runners here, but the stable jockey probably did not have to think too hard about deciding which one to ride and it will be a big surprise if he is beaten. The other graded races are for novices and we select Cailin Annamh (Jessica Harrington/ Barry Geraghty) over hurdles at 15.45 and Art of Logistics (Dessie Hughes/ Bryan Cooper) over fences at 16.45, two young jumpers of great potential.

In the U.K. there is N.H. racing at a much lower level at Wincanton and Uttoxeter. At the former track we like Al Alfa (Philip Hobbs/ Richard Johnson) in the handicap chase at 16.50, and at the latter track we think that Jonjo O´Neill and Tony McCoy can land a double with Flemenson at 16.30 and Foundation Man an hour later.

There is also flat racing at Brighton (their last meeting of 2013 ) and this evening on the all-weather at Kempton. Two very speculative each-way bets at Brighton cpuld be Smoky Oakey (Mark Tompkins/ Simon Pearce) at 16.40 and Magic Lando (Ismail Mohammed/ David Probert)at 17.10.

Punchestown - betting forecast:
1. Race: Salam Alaykum - Park Ranger - Alfred James
2. Race: Cailin Annamh - Top Madam - Shadow Eile
3. Race: Lady Of Glencoe - Shake The Bucket - Portrait King
4. Race: Art Of Logistics - Darwins Fox - Saint Gervais
5. Race: Roi du Mee - Tofino Bay - Noble Prince
6. Race: Cool Warrior - Sonic Beat - Rathmoyle House
7. Race: Outlawed Tunes - Turf Fire - O Lucky Them

5 Meetings today

Lots of racing today and plenty of runners, but the flat meetings - on the all-weather at Lingfield this afternoon and Kempton, and on turf at Nottingham, all have a very end-of-season look about them, wih some large fields of mainly modest performers. The going is soft at the last-named fixture, which will suit Zafisio (Jo Hughes/ Graham Gibbons) in the 10 furlongs handicap at 17.20 CET and Cheveton in the second division of the 5 furlongs handicap at 18.20. Both of them are on a long losing run but are well handicapped on their old form, and with ground conditions in their favour, could be worth a small each-way bet.

The best race at Lingfield is the 1 1/2 mile handicap for 3yo´s at 17.05, but there are question marks over several of the runners - either they have never run on this surface or they are badly handicapped or they are moving up in distance; one who ticks most of the boxes is Plutocracy (David Lanigan/ Ted Durcan), who was beaten last time by Evangelist (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore), but is now slightly better off and could well be better suited by this track. Mickael Barzalona rides top-weight Winterlude for Charlie Appleby, and like several of the jockeys here, will be moving on to the evening meeting at Lingfield, where he can score on Dancing Sands at 20.40.

The N.H. season is slowly getting into gear, and there could be some decent performers in action today at Wetherby and Punchestown. It is probably safest to stick to teams already in top form, and that means Charlie Longsdon and Noel Fehily who are having a real purple patch. They can be on the scorecard at Wetherby today with Grandads Horse at 16.55 and Long Wave at 18.00. The ground is still on the quick side at both these meetings, and that should suit German-bred oldtimer Schelm (Ronnie O´Leary/ JS McGarvey), another one who is well handicapped on his old form.

final meeting of 2013 at the Curragh

4 meetings in the U.K. today but they are not at all punter-friendly with lots of non-runners as the result of the change in going (now soft everywhere after more rain) and some very small fields.
The Irish meeting at the Curragh, where they race for the last time this year, is much more interesting and the going is better as well. There are runners from all the top Irish stables and it is quite likely that some future stars will be revealed in the 3 races for 2yo maidens - two for fillies over 6 furlongs at 14.45 CET and 15.15 and later a debutants race over 7 furlongs at 16.15. Aidan O´Brien has 3 runners here and his son Joseph partners Tigris River, so we assume that this one is the main hope. The O´Brien´s also have good chances in the first division of the fillies maiden with Dance With Another and in the second division with Sparrow, although the Weld and Bolger runners may also be hard to beat. The card closes with two maiden races over 1 1/2 miles for older horses, with two more fancied O´Brien runners, A Star is Born in the fillies race at 17.45 and Shield half an hour later; however we also ,like the Aga Khan´s Ebaniya (John Oxx/ Declan McDonogh) in the fomer race, with the Oxx stable coming back into form.

It looks very tricky at the 4 British meetings, especially with the non-runners pouring in - 17 at Newcastle alrready. William Buick has 3 rides here for John Gosden and it is quite possible that all 3 will score - Beyond Smart at 15.00, Night Fever half an hour later and Obstacle at 16.30.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Afternoon Sunlight - Beyond Intensity - Dance With Another
2. Race: Sparrow - Golden Amber - Prudent Approach
3. Race: Tylery Wonder - Invincible Ridge - Great Soprano
4. Race: Table Rock - Tigris River - Korba
5. Race: Senor George - Silver Lightening - Elusive Gent
6. Race: Ancient Sands - Miss Ekaterina - Alkali
7. Race: Laviniad - A Star Is Born - More Of The Same
8. Race: Cape Glory - Shield - Rae`s Creek

4 meetings today

There has been a lot of rain in southern England and the going at Salisbury and Windsor today will be very soft, with plenty of non-runners as a result. The best race at Salisbury is the conditions event over 7 furlongs at 17.00 CET, in which 3 older horses face 4 3yo´s, two of them owned by Godolphin. Hasopop (Marco Botti/ Paul Hanagan) looks the best of this age group and has been running in top handicaps, but we are not sure that he will get home over this distance and prefer the older runners. Shamaal Nibras (Ismael Mohammed/ Neil Callan) finished just in front of Magic City (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) in a valuable Ascot handicap 9 days ago, but is now slightly worse off at the weights. He won this race last year (when trained by Hannon) and goes well on the soft, so we hope that he can double up. The handicap over 1 3/4 miles at 18.30 looks wide open, and obviously top-weight Duke of Clarence (Hannon/ Hughes) should come on the short list. However our preference is for Chocala (Alan King/ David Probert), who has a nice weight, goes well on the soft and is from a stable coming into top form.

While some top riders are at Salisbury, Saeed bin Suroor sends his main jockey Silvestre de Sousa to Windsor and the combination can land a double with Musaddas in the maiden race at 16.05 and the once-raced Muhtaris in the 3yo handicap at 18.10; however this latter race is quite tricky and we also like Blighty (Lady Cecil/ James Doyle), who is part-owned by Hoppegarten boss Gerhard Schöningh and is out of a Group-winning Monsun mare. The ground is better at Musselburgh where Mark Johnston can continue on his winning ways. We hope that top-weight Discay at 16.45 and Skytrain at 17.50 will oblige; both of them are ridden by Joe Fanning and both keep on winning despite rising all the time in the weights. In Ireland there is N.H. racing at Limerick. where most of the races are part of a jockeys´ competition, with the riders drawn by lot. These are gimmicks and we find that such races are not always good betting propositions, so we shall leave them alone.

Salisbury - betting forecast:
1. Race: Tullia - Marmarus - Baker Man
2. Race: Tea In Transvaal - Darting - Nissaki Kasta
3. Race: Dutch Romance - Joohaina - Aertex
4. Race: Admirable Art - Perfect Pastime - Strategic Action
5. Race: Hasopop - Magic City - Mar Mar
6. Race: Munhamer - Ronaldinho - Squeeze My Brain
7. Race: Stomachion - Mesmerized - Kastini
8. Race: Centred - Sizzler - Duke Of Clarence

better racing in Ireland

4 meetings today but the better racing, both on the flat and over jumps, comes from Ireland. There are 3 listed races on the card at the Curragh, with Aidan O´Brien strongly represented in all fo them. He can win the mile race for 2yo fillies at 15.25 CET with Dazzling (Joseph O´Brien), who won in good style on her debut but must be forgiven her odds-on flop last time, and Joseph is also in the saddle of Cristoforo Colombo, who failed to make it at the top level but can score in this lesser company over 6 furlongs at 15.55.O´Brien has 2 runners in the 1 1/2 mile race at 17.05, but we shall take a chance on Zand (John Oxx/ Declan McDonogh); Oxx has had a terrible time this season, but his horses are now running much better and we hope to see significant improvement from the well-bred Aga Khan runner. Those who found the 66-1 winner of the Cesarewitch yesterday (not us unfortunately) can now try their luck with their Irish equivalent at 17.40 with a mere 30 runners. Dermot Weld won it last year and now saddles 3 runners and we hope the see the smart hurdler Hisaabaat (Gary Carroll) come out best of them.
Willie Mullins and Noel Meade both have runners in that race but are much more likely to be at the jumps meeting at Limerick, where they can dominate the Grade Three novice hurdle at 15.35 with Indevan (Ruby Walsh) and Silver Tassie (Davy Condon) respectively. Ruby Walsh can also take the Grade Three chase at 17.20 on Tony Martin´s Benefficient, a winner at the Cheltenham Festival; Tofino Bay (Dessie Hughes/ Davy Russell) also ran well there, but this trip seems too short and we will be surprised if he can beat Benefficient today. The big betting race here is the Munster National at 17.50, where leading owner JP McManus has 5 runners; his main jockey Tony McCoy rides Edward O´Grady´s Shot From The Hip, a 9yo Monsun gelding, and he is our selection.
In the U.K. there is flat racing at Goodwood at N.H. racing at Ffos Las, with some small fields. The fields are bigger at Goodwood but there are lots of non-runners following overnight rain and punters are advised to tread warily. Our main fancy here is Nordic Quest (Ger Butler/ Simon Walker), out of a good German mare, in the amateur riders handicap at 16.40.

Betting forecast Curragh:
1. Race: Century - Lone Star - Bush Pilot
2. Race: Chicago Girl - Dazzling - Intense Light
3. Race: Cristoforo Colombo - Balmont Mast - Scream Blue Murder
4. Race: Fulminata - Iron Major - Waver
5. Race: Sir Walter Scott - Hikari - Zand
6. Race: Cullentry Royal - Montefeltro - Truthwillsetufree
7. Race: New Regalia - Pastiches - Al Fahidi

Future Champions Day at Newmarket

this is one of the best cards of the year with no fewer than 6 group races, 4 of them for 2yo´s - hence the name. Of course it is ridiculous to have the Group One Middle Park Stakes (6 furlongs at 15.35 CET) and the Group One Dewhurst Stakes (7 furlongs 16.10) on the card, but this is the result of the messing about of the calendar with respect to next week´s big Ascot meeting.
The Dewhurst has more prestige and also twice as much prize-money, but looks a match between Outstrip (Charlie Appleby/ Mickael Barzalona), who won a Group Two in excellent style at Doncaster last time, and War Command (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien), also an easy Group Two winner last time and earlier impressive at Royal Ascot. Coolmore seem to have all the top juveniles this year so we give slight preference to War Command.
The O´Brien´s also a strong fancy in the Middle Park with Great White Eagle, easy winner of both his starts and moving up in grade here; he is regarded as a major prospect for next year but can take this on the way. Fellow Irish challenger Sudirman (David Wachman/ Wayne Lordan) has excellent form and looks the main danger, but we also like Supplicant (Richard Fahey/ Ryan Moore), who keeps on improving and won the Mill Reef at Newbury last time in the style of a colt who could well be a top sprinter next year.
The Rockfel Stakes for 2yo fillies over 7 furlongs at 17.25 should stay at home, as Lightning Thunder (Olly Stevens/ Harry Bentley) has clearly the best form here; after winning her first two races she went under by only a head to smart Fabre filly Miss France over this CD last time; Al Thakira (Marco Botti/ Martin Harley), also Qatari-owned, won her only start in good style and looks next best.
The Autumn Stakes over a mile at 17.55 looks more tricky, although there could be another O´Brien winner here with Oklahoma City, who won the valuable sales race here last week. However this could be much tougher and there are several possibilities.
The day could start with a German winner as we think that Amarillo (Peter Schiergen/ Martin Harley - stable jockey Andrasch Starke is suspended) must have a decent chance in the Group Two Challenge Stakes over 7 furlongs at 15.05. Despite the trainer´s attempts to turn Amarillo into a sprinter, we think that this distance is ideal and his form when winning at Haydock in June reads well. CD specialist Highland Colori, a top handicapper who won the Ayr Gold Cup last time, could be the main danger.
The big betting race is the Cesarewitch over 2 1/4 miles at 16.50 with 33 runners! Obvuoiuslky thisd is wifde open and severasl runners have clearly been laid out for ther race. Hurdlers often do well here, so Domination (Charlie Byrnes/ Fran Berry) and German-bred Big Easy (Philip Hobbs/ Jamie Spencer) come on to the short list, together with Ebor winner Tiger Cliff (Lady Cecil/ Tom Queally) and another German-bred Oriental Fox (Mark Johnston/ Johnny Murtagh), who won the main trial., but they both have a very high weight. However the one we like best is French hope Smoky Hill (Mikael Delzangles/ Umberto Rispoli) who appears to be very well handicapped.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Darwin - Lockwood - Highland Colori
2. Race: Great White Eagle - Sudirman - Hot Streak
3. Race: Outstrip - War Command - Anjaal
4. Race: Domination - Tiger Cliff - Pallasator
5. Race: Lightning Thunder - Al Thakhira - Lustrous
6. Race: Oklahoma City - Sir Jack Layden - Safety Check
7. Race: Afonso De Sousa - French Navy - Tullius

listed race this evening in Ireland

York´s final meeting of 2013 starts today and it looks extremely tricky for punters with 18+ runners in the 5 handicaps. With rain around, the going may be softer than forecast and the effect of the draw is uncertain, although possibly high numbers are at an advantage in the sprints. We cannot be confident about any of these races, but our very tentative selections are Musical Comedy (Richard Hannon/ Richard Hughes) at 15.00 CET, Pearl Blue (Chris Wall/ Harry Bentley) at 15.30, No Poppy (Tim Easterby/ Duran Fentiman) - last year´s winner- at 16.05, Van Percy (Andrew Balding/ Oisin Murphy) at 17.15 and Shesastar (David Barron/ Ryan Tate) in the apprentice handicap at 18.20.
There is also flat racing on the all-weather this evening at Wolverhampton and Dundalk. The former track stages the usual rubbish, but there are some decent performers on view in Ireland, where the main feature is a listed race for 2yo´s over 7 furlongs at 20.50. Giovanni Boldoni (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien) was third in a Group One last time, which is far and away the best form in the field, and he should win this easily.
They go over jumps at Newton Abbot and Carlisle, and at the former track we hope that Kangaroo Court (Emma Lavelle/ Gavin Sheehan) can defy an 11 lbs hike in the weights for a very easy CD win last time and take the handicap hurdle at 16.30. Lavelle had a double yesterday and is in great form, while another red-hot trainer Charlie Longsdon and his jockey Noel Fehily can clean up at Carlisle where they have fancied runners in 6 of the 7 races.

Betting forecast Dundalk:
1. Race: Wateed - Intensified - Coldstream
2. Race: High Net Worth - Pastiches - Mischief N Mayhem
3. Race: Main Straits - Aru Cha Cha - Crafty Codger
4. Race: Giovanni Boldini - Warbird - Mandatario
5. Race: Harmonic Note - New Magic - Goddess Of Love
6. Race: Goal - Woodsophiesmile - Midfield General
7. Race: Ancient Sands - Bensoon - Polished Rock

5 meetings today

plenty of racing today, but none at a high level. The only flat racing comes from Ayr this afternoon and Kempton (a.w.) this evening. The card at the Scottish track looks very tricky with 7 handicaps, the best being the mile rae at 17.40 CET. Most of the runners here are familiar as they seem to run every week, for example Ted´s Brother (Richard Guest/ Connor Beasley), and we prefer him to the recent winners Ingleby Angel and Silver Rime, who both a huge weight and are not sure to be suited by the soft going. We do not like backing horses who are out of the handicap, but make an exception here in the case of locally-trained High Resolution (Linda Perratt/ Samantha Bell), who is up in grade but has a good record here and will love the ground. When the ground is loike this, it genetally pays to back horses drawn on the stands side (Hugh numbers) and we therefore tentatively suggest Red Cobra (Tim Easterby/ David Allan) at 15.40 and Irish-trained Beau Satchel (Ado McGuinness/ Robert Winston) at 16.10 in the two divisions of the 6 furlongs handicap.
At Kempton this evening Richard Hughes has several rides and will be attempting to increase his lead in the jockeys´ championship. However we are more interested in the Godolphin runners as the stable has an excellent record here. Godolphin should certainly take the conditions race at 20.10, where they have 3 of the 6 runners. Snowboarder (Charlie Appleby/ Mickael Barzalona) flopped in a Group race last time, but this looks much easier; he is top-rated, wears the first colours, has a good a.w. record and should win.´
Over jumps, there are small fields at the two U.K. meetings. At Worcester we like German-bred Dawn Commander (Charlie Longsdon/ Jason Maguire) in the beginners chase at 16.50; he stays today´s trip of 3 miles realy well and this should give him the edge over Silver Commander - no relation - who is unproven at the distance. At Worcester, we think that two more German-breds have good e.w. chances: Quadrato (Tim Vaughan/ Michael Byrne) at 15,30 and Codoor (Longsdon/ Noel Fehily) at 18.30. The former is running for the first time over fences, but has one of the best conditionals on board, while Codooor an ex-Peter Schiergen runner- is running for the first time in the U.K. and may be very leniently handicapped.
In Ireland Willie Mullins´ powerful stable has not yet hit top gear, but he should win the beginners chase at 17.15 at Tramore with Passage Vendome (Ruby Walsh), very unlucky last time.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: El Beau - Rainbow Rock - The Grumpy Gnome
2. Race: Kenny The Captain - Pennine Warrior - Arabda
3. Race: Compton Heights - Angels Calling - Rise To Glory
4. Race: Black Douglas - Mysterious Wonder - Music Festival
5. Race: Our Diane - Starlight Angel - Opt Out
6. Race: Blue Top - Latin Rebel - Forced Family Fun
7. Race: Ingleby Angel - Ralphy Boy - Tectonic
8. Race: Lil Sophella - Rasselas - Deliberation

interesting maiden races

there is flat racing this afternoon in Nottingham and in Ireland at Navan, both with interesting maiden races, as well as N.H. racing from Ludlow and Towcester and the usual Wednesday evening all-weather fixture at Kempton.
Nottingham´s card starts with 5 races for 2yo´s and there could be some potentially useful youngsters on view, especially in the mile race at 16.30 CET, with several well-bred juveniles from top stables engaged. Torrid (Amanda Perrett/ James Doyle) has already shown decent form, but Sarpech (Sir Mark Prescott/ Herry Bentley) and Melrose Abbey (Ralph Beckett/ Jim Crowley) are two debutants to watch out for. Volume (Luca Cumani/ William Buick) is hot favourite für the 2yo handicap at 17.00 after his easy win at Newcastle last month, but we also like German-bred If (Andrew Balding/ Oisin Murphy). Balding can also take the opening 6 furlongs maiden with Highland Acclaim (David Probert), who ran well in much better company last time and is related to several smart sprinters.
At Navan, the 2 miles maiden at 16.05 looks fascinating. Well-bred Sardinia (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien) made a good debut last week and will certainly win before long, but top N.H. owner JP McManus has two good chances here with Thomas Edison (Tony Martin/ Niall Madden) and Waaheb (Dermot Weld/ Fran Berry), both of them smart hurdlers. Waaheb was also a top bumper horse and we hope he can win this. The O´Brien´s can take the two maidens for 2yo´s over a mile with Marvellous at 16.35 and Belisarius half an hour later.
At Towcester, Claret Cloak (Emma Lavelle/ Aidan Coleman) looks a good thing to win the 2 miles novice chase at 15.50 but will be at a very short price. The card at Ludlow is in any case better and we hope that German-bred Lava Lamp (Evan Williams/ Adam Wedge) a half-brother to Lady Marian, can take the limited handicap chase at 17.10, while the same trainer/ jockey combination has another chance with Siberian Tiger an hour earlier.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Highland Acclaim - Conflicting - Miss Acclaimed
2. Race: Margrets Gift - Dandana - Twin Appeal
3. Race: Searchlight - Sleepy Sioux - Exceeder
4. Race: Torrid - Sworn Vow - Sarpech
5. Race: Volume - Gold Trail - Top Of The Glas
6. Race: Fantasy Gladiator - Save The Bees - Extraterrestrial
7. Race: Demonic - Border Legend - Personable
8. Race: Hector`s Chance - Panettone - Hernando Torres

back home

Back home after almost a week in Paris and we have to say the standard of the racing at today´s 5 tracks is lower than it was at Longchamp at the weekend. This is especially true of Brighton and Catterick this afternoon, where 15 of the 16 races are class 5 or 6, the exception being the 2yo handicap at 16.30 CET at the Yorkshire track. Mark Johnston saddles 2 of the 8 runners and his King of Macedon (Adrian Nicholls) looks the main hope after making all to win at Ripon on his debut 10 days ago; that probably was no great race, but he has been given a fair mark and can win here.

Johnston also has runners at Leicester, where the racing is of much better quality. He saddles An Chiullain (Kieren Fallon) in the first division of the maiden race for 2yo fillies which opens at the card at 15.10. She has the best form and has finished in the money on all her 5 starts, but it would be no surprise to see some of the less-exposed fillies, such as Amaseena (Roger Varian/ Ryan Moore) or Maria Bella (Charlie Appleby/ Silvestre de Sousa), who both ran well enough on their debuts, do much better this time. We definitely expect Godolphin to take the second division half an hour later, where they have two very well-bred debutantes entered- Alpine Storm (Appleby/ Martin Lane) and Arabian Beauty (Saeed bin Suroor/ de Sousa). Appleby and de Sousa team up again the conditions race for 2yo´s at 16.40 with Miner´s Lamp and this one should score again judging by the way he won at Sandown after a very slow start. Johnston and Fallon could be on the scorecard with My History in the 3yo 1 1/2 mile handicap at 16.40, but here we just prefer top-weight Hamelin (Lady Cecil/ Richard Hughes).

It is unusual for Godolphin to have runners in 5 furlongs handicaps, but that is the case at Wolverhampton this evening and their Port Alfred (Appleby/ de Sousa) could be the answer to the very tricky race at 19.40.

There is Irish jumping today at Tipperary and we expect a German-bred winner in the opening maiden hurdle at 14.55, with both Arctic Fire (Willie Mulloins/ Ruby Walsh) and Santarius (Tony and Danny Mullins) engaged. The former is by Soldier Hollow and has been heavily backed, but we have not forgotten the strong form shown in Germany last year when trained by Paul Harley and make him the selection.

Off to Longchamp

This column is now off to Paris to cheer on the German runners at Longchamp this weekend. Obviously we shall be rooting for Novellist in the Arc, although the two Japanese runners look very dangerous, along with Treve, on whom Thierry Jarnet replaces the injured Frankie Dettori. We are also hoping that Amaron (Prix Daniel Wildenstein) and Saratino (Prix Chaudenay) run well on Saturday, while Altano (Prix du Cadran) can complete a big race double for Andreas Wöhler on Sunday. We also like Dominik Moser´s Gracia Directa at Newmarket on Saturday.

We will be back here on Tuesday.

Lots of non-runners

There are lots of non-runners at today´ s 5 meetings, so punters should check before placing their bets. This is especially the case at Salisbury where has been a lot of rain and the going is now soft. Unfortunately several of our original fancies are now not running, which makes life difficult. There are so far 7 non-runners in the 6 furlongs handicap at 18.00 CET at Salisbury. This of course puts a totally different complexion on the race, and we now select consistent 3yo Tight Fit (Henry Candy/ Fergus Sweeney) and Accession (Clive Cox/ Adam Kirby). We also like Mister Impatience (Mark Johnston/ Liam Jones) in the 10 furlongs handicap at 16.55. He was regarded as a German Derby hope at the begnning of the season and likes soft ground; he is now on a nice weight and the stable continues in great form.

At Nottingham we shall take another chance on Solemn (Milton Bradley/ Seb Sanders) in the 5 furlongs handicap at 16.00; this 8yo brother to Group race Performer Penitent was a big disappointment last time, but we still believe that he is capaable of winning off this rating; among his 10 career wins are 2 over this CD. Muhdik (Mike Murphy/ Ryan Moore) could be the danger and in any case we expect the jockey to land a double on Sir Michael Stoute´s Adore at 16.35 and Luca Cumani´s Vermont at 17.10. There is also mainly low-level flat racing at Newcastle and this evening at Kempton (a.w.). They go over jumps at the Irish meeting at Sligo, where leading owner JP McManus has a large number of runners. We certainly expect him to take the opening mres beginners chase at 15.55; his two runners Dressedtothenines (EP Harty/ Niall Madden) and Speckled Wood (Christy Roche/ Alan Crowe) were both smart hurdlers and should dominate this event if they can jump fences as well as did hurdles.

Betting forecast for Salisbury:
1. Race: Magnus Maximus - Orion`s Bow - Strait Run
2. Race: Snow Sky - Hands Up - High Master
3. Race: Piping Rock - Rosso Corsa - Hartnell
4. Race: Lord Ofthe Shadows - Hipster - Breaking The Bank
5. Race: Nabucco - Mister Impatience - Noble Gift
6. Race: Figure Of Speech - Expert - Justice Day
7. Race: Accession - Rocky Reef - Tight Fit
8. Race: Chapter Five - Highway Code - Eshtyaaq

4 poor meetings today

A normal Tuesday with poor flat racing from Ayr this afternoon and Kempton (a.w.) this evening and jumps racing from Chepstow and Sedgefield. Most of the races at Ayr are over sprint distances and easily the best event is the 5 furlongs handicap at 18.30 CET. This looks wide open with several trainers doubly represented; one of them is Dandy Nicholls, the former sprint king who has however had a disappointing season.

His runners are Tax Free, with his son Adrian in the saddle, and Fitz Flyer (Jordan Nason) and they will both be suited by the drying ground. Equitania (Alan Bailey/ Robert EWinston) is the only 3yo in the field and we expect him to run well as well after his win at Newmarket last time.Go Go Green, one of two Jim Goldie runners, ran well at the big meeting here the week before last and also comes on to the short list under his light weight and with a good claimer aboard.. There are plenty of possibilities here but we shall go for oldtimer Tax Free (e.w.). He is not as sharp as he used to be, but he is certainly capable of mixing it at this level.

The all-weather card at Kempton this evening is also weak, but it may pay to follow the Godolphin runners, who usually do well here. 3 of the 7 runners in the 11 furlongs handicap at 21.20 are owned by Godolphin; they should all run well but we give slight preference to Anomaly (Charlie Appleby/ Mickael Barzalona). A clear indication that autumn is coming is given by the fact that Chepstow is staging its first N.H. meeting of the year. Paul Nicholls has a couple of runners here and will be especially interested in Southfield Vic in the bumper at 18.20, a first public ride for his 16-year-old daughter Megan. Tony McCoy is rather more experienced and we expect him to land a double with Dr. Richard Newland´s Bombadero at 16.05 and Jonjo O´Neill´s Full of Joy at 16.40.

The Sedgefield card is also very poor and the fields are small as well. Our main fancy here is Bright Abbey (Dianne Sayer/ Lucy Alexander) in the novice hurdle at 15.50, who has been placed six times running but also knows how to win.