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 »

I was very selective with my advices for Newmarket last week, nominating just four horses over the three days. The one that I was most keen on was Lake Victoria, who was dropping down in trip to six furlongs for … Read More »

I have never considered myself a great judge of work. Over the years I have seen dozens of home gallops, but horses are seldom given too hard a time in their work and you don’t always know how much weight … Read More »

I was possibly being a little harsh when I described the St Leger field as a bunch of plodders in my Weekend Card preview, but with the first four covered by a length and three-quarters there was no clear-cut winner. … Read More »

W Six Times, Bertie Bassett and Three Nuns tobacco.   Not long ago, and for the first time in a while, I stayed awake in the small hours, listening to Radio 3 and thinking about Bill Chapman, Carnforth and the Today … Read More »

The pecking order for the top older horses this season must be all over the place following the two big races over the weekend. I could never have fancied Montassib to win the Group 1 Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock … Read More »

A lot has been written and said about Ryan Moore in recent weeks, with some justification given the initiative and skill he displayed in the case of City Of Troy at York. Going back many years – to 1984 – … Read More »

Although it was no surprise to see City Of Troy win the Juddmonte International at York last Wednesday, I had never have expected him to make the running, especially given the presence of a pacemaker. However, in hindsight, it was … Read More »