Hi there, Before I pass on my thoughts about the Irish Derby I want to bring to your notice the victory of Manxman in the opening extended 1m 3f 0-55 apprentice handicap at Windsor on Saturday. I would not blame … Read More »

Written by Jack Dixon Another match in Euro qualifying and another win for England, thumping North Macedonia 7-0 at Old Trafford. The win against Malta was impressive, but it was slightly scrappy and there was, at times, a lack of … Read More »

England leave Malta with four goals and three points secured, beating Malta 4-0. The three lions were dominant all evening, having 66% possession and prevented Malta from registering a single shot on Jordan Pickford’s goal. England turned dominance into substance, … Read More »

Gordon Lightfoot died the other day. I dare say only members of my generation will remember him but he was a folk and country singer who let Alberta’s wide-open spaces compensate for disappointments in his personal life. We played him … Read More »

Hi there, After all the debate and discussion about the possible ramifications of this year’s Derby it ended up going to the old firm across the water and the long-term winter favourite. Auguste Rodin gave Aidan O’Brien his ninth winner … Read More »

Hi there! Given the open shape of the market before the Dante Stakes at York last Thursday – they ended up 9/2 the field – there was always the prospect of the race adding little clarity to an already opaque … Read More »

George Materna, a dedicated Goodwood supporter, missed the first Saturday in early May. This was because his second daughter (of five) was having her pre-marriage ‘hen’ do in his box. I was the tipster and the only man there. Needless … Read More »

Hi there! I am incredibly excited about the enhancements we are introducing to The Weekend Card, starting this week with the publication of my Premier List and Sleeper qualifiers, the latter incorporating a few handicap projects and unraced horses. As … Read More »

Hi there! Well no sooner have we had three days at Aintree, culminating in Saturday’s Grand National, than the Craven meeting starts at Newmarket today and it’s then just three weeks before we’re back there for the Guineas meeting. It’s … Read More »

The Grand National isn’t the race it once was and last year was the clearest indication of that. A seven-year-old novice chaser with just six completed starts over fences would have done well to get around the course pre 2013 … Read More »

Grand National, Jumps Season 2022/23

My Aunt Kate and Uncle Doug lived at 8 Methuen Street in Southampton. They are long gone but, like Marcel Proust, I wander the narrow street now and again. I doubt that Marcel was ever seen in Southampton because he … Read More »

A great night at Hampden Park for Scotland as Steve Clarke’s side beat possession hungry Spain 2-0, thanks to a brace from Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay. As per usual, Spain had a lot of the ball, 75% possession on … Read More »