There has been much to take out from the racing programme over the last few days. One surprising feature was the defeat of all bar one of Aidan O’Brien’s Group-race runners at York and Deauville. A week ago, who would … Read More »

I have visited this subject before, but once again I find myself asking who the backers are behind some of the market moves that we have witnessed these last few weeks. The most extreme example this weekend was the plunge … Read More »

In past years I have steered away from betting seriously on older horse maiden races from around July-time. This is based on my belief that if horses aged three or older are still maidens at that stage of their career … Read More »

There was much to take away from last week’s Glorious Goodwood meeting, but I want to start with a horse who is highly unlikely to arouse the interest of the post-race analysts. Avalon Queen is a two-year-old daughter of Derby … Read More »

Glorious Goodwood came and went and, to be honest, describing it as a mixed bag might be slightly generous. The atmosphere and the racing itself were both superb but my back played up – I use a walking stick now … Read More »

I want to start this week with a look back at the King George and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Although heralded as one of the best renewals of recent years, I’m not sure that all the horses ran to form. The … Read More »

Although these are early days to be looking towards next year’s Classics, I’ll be disappointed if Victorious doesn’t figure in the early reckoning. The daughter of Wootton Bassett has won each of her three starts, notably last time when beating … Read More »

Looking back to last week’s July Meeting at Newmarket, I was mightily impressed with the performance of Senorita Bonita in the Group 2 Duchess of Cambridge Stakes. The daughter of Starspangledbanner had looked very smart at the Craven Breeze-Up sale … Read More »

I have to admit that I am a little confused about the pecking order of this season’s three-year-olds. The Coral-Eclipse on Saturday was the first Group 1 test against older horses but, on form, this did not strike me as … Read More »

Another warm spell is upon us. I need it and even when temperatures start to drop again I’ll wish I was in Aix -en- Provence, sipping a glass of chilled rose. I can’t afford it, of course, and given my … Read More »

I’ve recently come to the conclusion that Aidan O’Brien starts the season without a clear idea of the pecking order of his horses. He is admirably forthcoming in the previews and on open days, and there is no doubting his … Read More »

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 »