It may seem perverse to bring to your notice an observation about a 25-rated maiden on the eve of the world’s most prestigious week of flat racing, but I believe the circumstances relating to Rockafeller Skank warrant a mention for … Read More »

I don’t know what the analysts will make of the racing that took place on Epsom Downs on Saturday, but I was left wondering after the last race had been run if the many hours devoted to the outcome of … Read More »

When I look back at the way I approached racing –  and I’m talking about 60 years ago and more  –  I have to say there have been fundamental changes almost across the board. Who or what did I like … Read More »

Experienced observers of form generally consider that if horses finish in a bunch then they cannot all be world-beaters, regardless of the class of race. However I’m pretty sure this will not apply to yesterday’s Prix du Jockey Club, in … Read More »

The fact that Ryan Moore has twice been on the ‘wrong one’ in the fillies’ Guineas races reflects the uncertainty at Ballydoyle over the pecking order for their top-class performers at this time of year. In the 1000 Guineas at … Read More »

From the number of sympathetic messages I received about the Southampton-Middlesbrough fiasco (otherwise known as Spygate) a lot of people thought I was as dedicated to the Saints as ever. In fact, that’s not the case. I go back to … Read More »

Ante-post betting has always been a high-risk business, but it has become even more speculative since the domination of Willie Mullins over the jumps and Aidan O’Brien on the flat. This is because, in both cases, they usually have more … Read More »

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 »