Paul Nicholls will have been encouraged to send out three winners at Doncaster today. This is traditionally a quiet time of year for him, as it is about now that his horses have their ‘flu vaccinations. I believe I am … Read More »

The Wigan v Sheffield United game was called off last week so we had no chance to monitor the Blades’ improved form. However, they have won again since and are on the fringes of the play-off places again now. They … Read More »

  There were some fine performances at Cheltenham on Friday, none better than Village Vic’s all-the-way victory in the big handicap chase. Raised 8lb for a similar effort at the last meeting, he again jumped particularly well, apart from an … Read More »

For me the highlight of the last few weeks has not been the performance of a horse or even the thoroughly well-deserved knighthood for AP McCoy. The person to have impressed me more than anyone is Nico de Boinville, who … Read More »

I am probably one of the rare folk that wishes Christmas lasted more than a day! Purely because the build up to it goes on for so long and then suddenly that’s it over. The Marten Julian office used to … Read More »

As with the racing section it is hard to update over the Christmas period but there are few late things to consider. I am a little surprised that the bookmakers offer Arsenal at odds against in the televised match at … Read More »

Family commitments have made it hard to update over Christmas but here are a few thoughts for people looking for some late advice. The King George at Kempton is a fascinating affair but value towards the head of the market … Read More »

In January our website is being rebuilt however despite a huge amount of work and money I doubt anyone will notice. It is one of those weird things you have to do to ensure technology is working correctly for clients … Read More »

We enjoyed a clean sweep last week with Norwich and Everton both scoring and Hull and Bristol Rovers both winning to provide a 13/10 double. They were both made to work harder than I expected but winners are winners. Like … Read More »

I should probably have had the courage of my convictions with Village Vic at Cheltenham last week. The principals in the Paddy Power Gold Cup had clearly been given just that bit too much to do and were vulnerable to … Read More »

You don’t often see horses prepared for handicaps the old-fashioned way these days, but Nicky Richards has stuck to many of the traditional methods adopted for so long by his late father Gordon and we saw further evidence of that … Read More »

It was around 4.30 this morning that I submitted the text for my Winter Bulletin Book for layout in time to be with the printer on Monday. The book will then be back in our office ready for despatch to … Read More »