One of the reasons there will always be bookmakers involves punters’ willingness to absorb setbacks and kick on again. There is so much racing that the talk is about the Breeders’ Cup, with defeats for Jack Hobbs and Foundation over … Read More »

There is top-class action all over the place this weekend, on both sides of the Atlantic, but today my eye was drawn to the chasing debut of former top hurdler Garde La Victoire at Uttoxeter. The six-year-old was the best … Read More »

A few big names from the jumping world have entries this weekend, with the possibility that Gold Cup winner Coneygree may make the trip up the M6 for the Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase on Sunday. God’s Own, Ptit Zig, … Read More »

We were cruelly denied in the 90th minute when Stevenage made it 3-3 at Exeter last week. Obviously we all have to get used to these things and, in any case, with the amount of time referees add on these … Read More »

I am generally happy to let the Flat racing season go right through to the end before concentrating on National Hunt and I suppose I’m one of those who are happy to regard the former Mackeson meeting, now the Paddy … Read More »

I have just returned from a few days at Newmarket, racing on Saturday and then a couple of days at the sales earlier in the week. All the talk has been about Air Force Blue, for whom there was maximum … Read More »

It was a pity we couldn’t follow up an excellent weekend a fortnight ago, all three home selections last week ending in draws. As you will know, I do not search around for things on international weekends and, generally speaking, … Read More »

Things did not work out for me at Longchamp (except for Christophe Soumillon winning the closing handicap, of all things, on the German raider) but the ground was always going to be a key factor and the nap, Mecca’s Angel, … Read More »

There has been a lot of comment and reflection on Sunday’s Arc in the last few days, especially in relation to Treve and the reasons for her defeat. Much of the criticism has been aimed at her rider Thierry Jarnet, … Read More »

Looking back briefly to yesterday’s Arc the race was all about two things – the quick ground and the extraordinary self-belief of Frankie Dettori. Both Golden Horn and Flintshire were proven at a high level on fast ground, and it … Read More »

I mentioned the need for a clean sweep last week and we very nearly achieved one, with Southampton, Sheffield United and goals in the Ipswich v Bristol City game ensuring a handsome profit. It was just a pity Walsall could … Read More »

It was another good day for the column last week with Man Of Harlech taking fourth in the Cambridgeshire at 20/1 and Maljaa winning another Haydock sprint handicap. He is a bonny sprinter but they were right on his heels … Read More »