Although the ante-post market is not the force of old, there is plenty of material for discussion regarding the current Champion Hurdle betting. The first quandary relates to the participation of Constitution Hill. The seven-year-old seems to be quite fragile … Read More »

I’m not so sure that Sunday’s John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase will prove to have great relevance to the Gold Cup. Yes it was a thrilling spectacle and Willie Mullins may be proved right that, on figures, this was the … Read More »

With 16 of the 19 races at Cheltenham’s three-day November meeting going to winners priced at 7/2 or shorter, the punters had the better of the argument with the bookmakers. Even Il Ridoto, the 10/1 winner of the Paddy Power … Read More »

The Saturday Sermon A lot has been said about the dearth of quality in this year’s renewal of the Betfair Chase but that is surely a glass-half-full attitude. We don’t have a Kauto Star or a Bristol De Mai or … Read More »

I’m not sure how many books remain unread, how many films unseen but we’re well into three figures. And yet, I found time the other day to watch The Third Man again and finally nodded off well after midnight, just … Read More »

I want to start with a few words about King Turgeon, who won the Grand Sefton Handicap at Aintree on Saturday. As those of you who subscribe to the Weekend Card and Daily Bulletin were aware, I was very keen … Read More »

There will be plenty of discussion and debate following the defeat of City Of Troy in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, with those who felt he faced a difficult task feeling vindicated. It was very quickly apparent that he would struggle, … Read More »

After seeing Designer finish last in the 5f sprint handicap at Doncaster on Saturday, I was pleased when my day’s other selection Hotazhell just got the better of Delacroix in the Futurity Trophy. I had taken the view beforehand that … Read More »

I gather there was an eerie silence in the stands as Anmaat got the better of Calandagan in the closing stages of the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday. I suspect that many in the crowd had to refer … Read More »

Where possible, I try to correct mistakes. I don’t mean factual errors so much as mood or overall background. The other day, troubled by a recently fractured right arm, I was caught somewhere between the sporting years 1964 and 1982 … Read More »

At first sight Saturday’s Dewhurst Stakes looked nothing special, with the first three finishing within two necks of each other and the ante-post favourite The Lion In Winter an absentee. The most intriguing performance came from Aidan O’Brien’s Expanded, who … Read More »

I think most of us felt beforehand that there was no outstanding candidate for the Arc but I have to admit that I didn’t really fancy Bluestocking to win. The thing that most surprised me was how significant the betting … Read More »