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 »

After a considerable amount of thought and discussion we have decided to retain the Weekend Card for the new Flat season. I have found that the dropping of the Dark Horses Annual has relieved me of a great deal of … Read More »

It was hardly the sort of race to fire the imagination so close to Cheltenham but, to my intense satisfaction and a handy profit to boot, Suzi’s Connoisseur went in at 9/1 at Lingfield the other day. He is twelve … Read More »

Looking for a free weekly dose of insights on the latest happenings in the racing world? Look no further than Marten’s Weekly Roundup! Every Monday, Marten offers his unique perspective on the latest topics in the racing world, all delivered … Read More »