Chantilly today

Chantilly today stages the first of its big summer Sunday meetings, featuring 3 Group Two races. The Grand Prix d Chantilly over 2400 metres at 16.05 has attracted a weaker field than usual, and injured German hope Adlerflug would undoubtedly have had a big chance here. Th much-improved Magadan (Elli Lellouche/ Antony Crastus) is now likely to start a hot favourite, although there is not much between him and Ideal World (André Fabre/ Stephane Pasquier). The Prix de Sandringham for 3yo fillies over a mile at 15.30 is a trial for the Diane here in 2 weeks time. German-owned Regane (Alain de Royer-Dupré/ Gerald Mossé) looked smart when winning first time out, but faces stiff opposition from Entre Deux Eaux (Robrt Collet/ Christophe Soumillon), Homebound (Jean-Claude Rouget/ Christophe Lemaire) and Celebra (Carlos Laffon-Parias/ Olivier Peslier).

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Stand To Gain - Le Bacardy - Balaythous
2. Race: Magnetic Storm - Kerno - Skyteam
3. Race: Lectrice - Heavenly Light - Wysiwyg Lucky
4. Race: Reggane - Homebound - Only Green
5. Race: Magadan - Ideal World - Timos
6. Race: Tayseer - African Rose - Delvita
7. Race: Akim De Ducor - Nil Blanc - Badad
8. Race: Last Cast - Abades - Zona Cero
9. Race: Galma - Juquehy - Lanabablue

4 N.H. meetings today

the rest of the action in the U.K. and Ireland is over the jumps, and perhaps the most interesting race is the opening hurdle race for 3yos at 15.30 CET at Stratford - the first race over the sticks for this age group. With 16 debutants running, it is not a race to bet on, but Key Regard (Charlie Mann/ Noel Fehily) was just about the best of them on the flat and comes from a yard that prepares them well. From the betting angle, the novice chase over 2 1/2 miles at 17.30 is more attractive, and we expect ex-German Group One winner Donaldson (Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy) to run well here, despite stiff opposition. He will appreciate the fast ground, as will another German-bred son of Lando, Passato (Jo Davis/ Seamus Durack) in the handicap chase an hour earlier. Another German-bred with good prospects is Los Nadis (Peter Monteith/ Ryan Mania) in the handicap hurdle at 17.20 at Perth, but the big race here is the Perth Gold Cup, a handicap chase over 3 mils at 16.50 with 18 runner s. Brooklyn Brownie (Malcolm Jefferson( Phil Kinsella) won this last year, but now has a huge weight, and we prefer Native Coral (Nicky Richards/ Fearghal Davis, Caipiroska (Ferdy Murphy/ Graham Lee) and Scots Dragoon (Nicky Henderson/ Felix de Giles). Henderson´s stable jockey Barry Geraghty makes his comeback today after breaking his wrist a month ago and can win the hurdle race at 16.45 at Listowel on top-weight Jafra for Eamonn McNamara. This race has only 5 runners, otherwise almost all races at the 2 Irish tracks racing today, Kilbeggan and Listowel, have maximum fields.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Rupestrian - Key Regard - Niceonefrankie
2. Race: Miss Phoebe - Bet Noir - Overspin
3. Race: Dev - Dishdasha - Dominican Monk
4. Race: Arctic Echo - St Mellion Freeway - Dizzy Future
5. Race: Harper Valley - Font - Martys Mission
6. Race: Dort Tranquille - Kaladan - I`Ve Been Framed
7. Race: Tollishill - Reaping The Reward - Great Mates

Bath stages only flat racing today

4 of the 5 meetings scheduled today for the U.K. and Ireland are N.H. fixtures, leaving Bath with the only flat racing. Best race here is the final 6 furlongs sprint handicap at 18.10 CET, with Kyllachy Storm (Ron Hodges/ Louis-Philippe Beuzelin) the likely favourite. He is an absolute track specialist and won on his last 3 visits here, but has gone up in the weights and may find German-bred Misaro (Ron Harris/ Luke Morris),who has been dropped by the handicapper, a formidable opponent. Veteran The Tatling (Milton Bradley/ Jack Dean) is 12 years old but can never be ignored in this grade, and another oldie who should run well is 11yo Siena Star (Stef Liffiard/ Micky Fenton), who has top-weight in the 10 furlongs handicap at 16.10 and has good recent form to recommend him.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Perle D`Amour - Fly Silca Fly - Secret Queen
2. Race: Second To Nun - Miss Mojito - Jobekani
3. Race: Siena Star - Samurai Warrior - Gallego
4. Race: Where`S Susie - Auntie Mame - Coral Shores
5. Race: Magic Rush - Maybe I Will - Sarah Park
6. Race: Corking - Lady Pilot - Tobago Bay
7. Race: Kyllachy Storm - Misaro - The Tatling