It’s difficult to know where to start when trying to predict the likely Ballydoyle representatives at Epsom … all the more so given that ‘The Lads’ have not, as far as we know, apparently yet had the conversation with their … Read More »

I’ve brought to your attention in recent weeks the practice of running horses with point-to-point form three times in novice or maiden hurdles, mostly over two miles, to acquire a favourable mark for a low-grade staying handicap hurdle. Well it … Read More »

I have no strong preference when it comes to the various television channels concentrating on racing. Twist my arm and I’d say there is slightly too much detail on Racing UK  –  is it really all that relevant how fast … Read More »

Aidan O’Brien will probably be “very happy” – which seems to be his go-to phrase for 2026 – with the way his team are performing, recording a 23 percent strike-rate for the current season with a few of Ballydoyle’s big … Read More »

There are certain profiles that I like to see in a horse’s form. In a previous edition I wrote about the ex-point-to-pointer who showed reasonable form between the flags before joining a yard and finishing down the field in maiden/novice … Read More »

No sooner is Aintree’s Grand National meeting over for another year than we dive into the Classic trials at Newmarket and Newbury, but that’s not all. Jumping devotees have the Scottish Grand National at Ayr and then, as the media … Read More »

There was unsurprisingly quite a furore from some quarters following the revelation that four horses trained by Dan Skelton plus one trained by Christian Williams, all winners, had been backed in multiple bets last Tuesday. The operation had apparently cost … Read More »

I went to Fontwell the other day. It was my first visit for a long time and I have to say it was a very moderate card, lifted to a degree by a steeplechase final with £20,000 in the kitty … Read More »

There have been some notable gambles landed in the last couple of weeks. I have tried to forewarn my subscribers of the early signals in my Daily Bulletin, even though we’re all aware that it does not take much to … Read More »

Aidan O’Brien’s Open Day for the Press took place last week and, as always, it made for fascinating viewing. He talked at length about every horse on display, hardly drawing breath, with an endearing, almost childlike enthusiasm. Every spring he … Read More »

Hi there, ‘It is better to travel hopefully than to arrive.’ So said Robert Louis Stevenson, whose wise words could be the guiding maxim for the legion of fans in the weeks leading up to the Cheltenham Festival. I tried … Read More »

‘Honesty is the best policy,’ as my mother used to say, and I’ve no reason to doubt her. She had her favourite trainers and jockeys  –  most of Gordon W Richards’ winners carried sixpence  –  and never denigrated those who … Read More »