I have never met Michael O’Leary or anyone from Gigginstown Stud but they are evidently quite hard to please. Following the fall-out with Willie Mullins last season the news broke today that Bryan Cooper will no longer be riding as … Read More »

I was some way adrift at Wimbledon and hold my hands up straight away. The closest I came was Johanna Konta’s excellent effort in reaching the semi-finals, after which one was left ruing the fact that Venus Williams produced her … Read More »

Andy Murray, West Ham, Wimbledon

Last weekend was a time for majoring on each-way bets with Lexington Abbey nicking fourth at 16/1 at Ascot and Steady Pace just failing to last home in the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket. Those were quite good calls but less … Read More »

Flat 2017, Highly Sprung

FEDERER NEARLY THERE I am not far away from putting together a football preview piece – way too soon for many people, I know, but it served us well last year – and this is only a minor update. It … Read More »

Jeremy Noseda had a winner at Newmarket on Friday and the signs are that his Newmarket stable is clicking into gear. He had two quite strongly fancied runners at Royal Ascot, Abe Lincoln and Sixties Groove, and both may be … Read More »

I wrote last week that Johanna Konta is capable of winning Wimbledon but things might come a little too soon this year, especially after the nasty pre-tournament fall. Frankly, she has looked very impressive in the first week and some … Read More »

London Prize and Home Of The Brave kept us ticking over at modest prices last week, while Moonraker managed a third at Newcastle and showed an each-way profit. I was disappointed with Paddy Power and wouldn’t know what to do … Read More »

I am down south for my annual trip to Wimbledon so this page may not be updated for the next fortnight. Just looking back to yesterday’s Irish Derby, the result confirmed what we long suspected that there is barely more … Read More »

Andy Murray pushed himself through a fairly punishing routine on Friday and is happier with his fitness now with Wimbledon only a matter of hours away. I have written a great deal about him and shall not repeat myself but … Read More »

I ended up thankful for Medburn Dream at Lingfield last Saturday evening, though The Tin Man managed to ‘top and tail’ Royal Ascot following the nap Ribchester’s victory on the opening day. The two I’d take from the meeting are … Read More »

It was something of a frustrating week at Royal Ascot, with more than our fair share of near-misses. As you know I decided to be brave and select long-priced horses, at prices ranging to 100/1, and we were rewarded with … Read More »

I have sounded so confident about Andy Murray where Wimbledon is concerned that there should be an update following his surprise exit at Queen’s – something that probably stopped the sponsors in their tracks. He is going through an awkward … Read More »