Longchamp opens

The French racing season proper starts today with the first fixture of 2009 at Longchamp. Several German-traind runners make their way to the Bois du Boulogne, but they face some strong opposition. Werner Baltromei has 5 runners, with König Bernard (Dominique Boeuf) contesting the opening mile race for 3y0´s at 13.50, Cccacaio (Frederic Spanu) and Farox (Boeuf) both engaged in the 2000 metres race for unraced 3yo´s (together with Horst Steinmetz´ Amazonas (Davy Bonilla) at 14.50, Balboa (Boeuf) goes for the 1400 metres conditions race at 16.20 and Escargot (Boeuf) the 3yo mile handicap at 17.20.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Bachelor Licence - König Bernard - Piste Perdue
2. Race: Le Valentin - History Boy - Varenar
3. Race: Montevees - Suffren - Investissement
4. Race: Dreamt - Marechale - Western Isle
5. Race: Kataragama - Flying Cloud - Ville D`Avray
6. Race: Balboa - Salut L`Africain - Panichop
7. Race: Unidentified Thief - Salsa De La Tour - Sham Risk
8. Race: Reine Des Mers - Muhtablue - Escargot

Other UK racing today

Obviously the 3 other meetings in the UK today pale into insignificance compared to the card at Liverpool, but one potentially smart horse on view is Peter Chapple-Hyam´s Sayif, who runs in the 6 furlongs race for 3yo´s at 16.20 CET at Leicester. He had plenty of group race form last season and is expected to make up into a leading sprinter He will be partnered by Jamie Spencer, who has several winning chances at the track. There is N.H. racing this afternoon at Taunton with some tiny fields - useful German-bred novice hurdler Bergo has only one opponent (who ran yesterday!) at 15.55 - and there are only 29 runners declared for the 6 races, with the possibility of non-runners to come resulting from the firm going. Best race at Kempton´s all-weather evening meeting is the 3yo handicap over 5 furlongs at 18.55 CET. Satwa Street (David Simcock/ Marc Halford) ran well here over 6 furlongs the other day and will be better suited by this trip, but there are plenty of dangers.

Rest of Aintree

The remaining 6 races at Aintree are also highly competitive with the Cheltenham form in many cases in danger of being overturned. In the opening race, the 3 mile hurdle at 15.00 CET, World Hurdle winner Big Buck´s (Paul Nicholls/ Ruby Walsh) renews rivalry with several who finished behind him, notably Mighty Man (Henry Daly/ Richard Johnson), who finished an excellent fifth despite a layoff with tendon trouble of almost 2 years.

Mighty Man is an Aintree specialist and has won this race twice before and on 10 lbs better terms he can take his revenge on Big Bucks. German-bred Fair Along (Philip Hobbs/ Rhys Flint) would have a chance at his best, but has been below form so far this season. The Grade One 4yo hurdle at 15.35 is also a Cheltenham re-run, with Walkon (Alan King/ Robert Thornton) and Starluck (Alan Fleming/ Timmy Murphy), second and fourth in the Triumph with several of these further back, crossing swords again; this track should suit Starluck down to the ground and he can reverse the form. Calgary Bay (Henrietta Knight/ Tony McCoy) was a Chelntenham disappointment, but today´s distance of 2 1/2 miles should suit him ideally and he can recover form in the novice chase at 17.55. Chapoturgeon (Nicholls/ Murohy) and German-bred Gauvain (Mann/ Fehily) are the main dangers. There are huge fields in the handicaps, also Cheltenham re-runs, and no fewer than 30 runners in the Fox Hunters Chase at 1 6.45. This should go to an Irish-trained runner, possibly Agus a Vic (P.Martin/ JJ Codd).

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Big Buck`S - Mighty Man - Fair Along
2. Race: Walkon - Starluck - Hebridean
3. Race: Denman - Exotic Dancer - Star De Mohaison
4. Race: Agus A Vic - Trust Fund - Distant Thunder
5. Race: Oh Crick - Poquelin - Moon Over Miami
6. Race: Chapoturgeon - Calgary Bay - Planet Of Sound
7. Race: Big Eared Fran - Prince Taime - The Polomoche