Ask me to name a handful of famous sculptors and until recently I’d probably have fallen about four short. Auguste Rodin rescued me and that was long before the equine version landed last year’s Epsom Derby. Rodin’s most famous work … Read More »

Hi there, This week, away from the political scene, the weights for the nine handicaps at Cheltenham are published. As you may know I always like to dig out the plots for these races … Sire Du Berlais was a … Read More »

Cambridge came and went too soon. I see that now and foolishly think of going back, even at this late stage, to write a thesis on some aspect of Marcel Proust’s oeuvre that others have missed. Three years half a … Read More »

Hi there! I was going to start this piece with an expression of my disappointment in the aftermath of the weekend’s action at Leopardstown but the news of the tragic death of 25-year-old Keagan Kirkby, who has been part of … Read More »

For quite a long time I couldn’t work out why Charles Benson entered my thoughts as often as he did. He’s been gone for several years and it wasn’t as if we had a great deal in common, though we … Read More »

Hi there! May I start by wishing you all a very healthy and successful 2024. Many people around the world will be keen to see the back of 2023, especially from a political and ecological perspective, but racing – famously … Read More »

Manchester United drew 0-0 at Liverpool last time out, with the Red Devils showing plenty of fighting spirit to earn a point at Anfield , a ground where they have struggled for quite some time. The fighting spirit United showed … Read More »

‘Then, while the wheel is spinning, the Jack of Diamonds is waiting or Hemingway’s bunch of  skins is hurtling towards the furlong pole, we’re not thinking about anything else, regretting anything else or checking the time. This is where we … Read More »

Hi there! If ever I were asked to nominate just one golden rule for betting, and believe me I have dwelt on this long into the wee small hours, then it would be to follow a yard in form and, … Read More »

Not long ago, Katey Kontent finished a very good second at Salisbury. She was carrying 9st 10lbs and was up against colts and geldings so it was a very fair effort. I think of all the people on course and … Read More »

We are pleased to release our porfolio for the 2023/24 Jumps Season. Marten started the business in 1970 and as the majority of our services are written by Marten we are naturally starting to scale back as we are now … Read More »

Hi there, Well you don’t need me to tell you that the big talking point over the weekend was the performance of City Of Troy in the Dewhurst Stakes, with plenty of discussion afterwards about the relative merits of the … Read More »