An excellent run was bound to come to an end and it did so down by the furlong pole at Salisbury on Tuesday. Having made the point in this space ten days ago that horses identified as poor value invariably … Read More »

Hi there! Well what a contrast to last year, when we were enjoying record-breaking temperatures soaring into the high 30s! By contrast I am writing this soon after news that Uttoxeter and Haydock have been abandoned, with standing water at … Read More »

I never really thought of 70 as a special landmark and maybe everything that’s happened is mere coincidence, though you’d have to say a pacemaker followed by the loss of work at both the Irish Field and the Racing Post … Read More »

York was enjoyable, even if the punting left something to be desired. One or two long-held theories were put to the test and came up short, so there will have to be intense concentration over the coming weeks. Whilst I … Read More »

Hi there! As I write this, a few days before the Dante Stakes, the Derby market is dominated by colts trained by Aidan O’Brien. No fewer than four of the top eight horses quoted are trained at Ballydoyle, with Paddy … Read More »

There was a moment at Punchestown when it looked as if a major betting treble had just escaped us. I retired from the Irish Field after 32 years as British correspondent, Ruby Walsh called it a day and then we … Read More »

The fact that England looked like pressing Australia all the way (if three days can be all the way) in the Third Test underlined the fact that 7’4 about an Aussie whitewash in the Ashes series was poor value. The … Read More »

In some ways, it has been business as usual at Goodwood. Zuhair won on Wednesday – the third time he has won this five furlong handicap – and then gave best to stable-companion Flak Jacket over the extra furlong on … Read More »

I’ve decided to take a few days off in order to recharge the batteries for the autumn campaign, which is usually a very profitable time of year for me. Ian Carnaby will be standing in on the main line 09068 888 … Read More »

It was surprising on Tuesday when Double Oscar could not quite match Sharp Hat in the last at Beverley. The Nicholls sprinter is particularly well at present and should soon find a winning opportunity. My thoughts after the King George … Read More »

Looking back to the Galway Plate, and Christy Roche did a good job on Grimes, who got into this handicap chase off 128 – a mark 26lb below is current hurdles’ rating. He was always travelling comfortably and won this valuable … Read More »

Like everyone else, I found Saturday’s King George at Ascot a riveting spectacle, and the fact that the first two left the others for dead suggests the form is out of the very highest bracket. Just one point in passing: … Read More »