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.