I’m not so sure that Sunday’s John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase will prove to have great relevance to the Gold Cup. Yes it was a thrilling spectacle and Willie Mullins may be proved right that, on figures, this was the … Read More »

With 16 of the 19 races at Cheltenham’s three-day November meeting going to winners priced at 7/2 or shorter, the punters had the better of the argument with the bookmakers. Even Il Ridoto, the 10/1 winner of the Paddy Power … Read More »

The Saturday Sermon A lot has been said about the dearth of quality in this year’s renewal of the Betfair Chase but that is surely a glass-half-full attitude. We don’t have a Kauto Star or a Bristol De Mai or … Read More »

I’m not sure how many books remain unread, how many films unseen but we’re well into three figures. And yet, I found time the other day to watch The Third Man again and finally nodded off well after midnight, just … Read More »

I want to start with a few words about King Turgeon, who won the Grand Sefton Handicap at Aintree on Saturday. As those of you who subscribe to the Weekend Card and Daily Bulletin were aware, I was very keen … Read More »

There will be plenty of discussion and debate following the defeat of City Of Troy in the Breeders’ Cup Classic, with those who felt he faced a difficult task feeling vindicated. It was very quickly apparent that he would struggle, … Read More »

After seeing Designer finish last in the 5f sprint handicap at Doncaster on Saturday, I was pleased when my day’s other selection Hotazhell just got the better of Delacroix in the Futurity Trophy. I had taken the view beforehand that … Read More »

I gather there was an eerie silence in the stands as Anmaat got the better of Calandagan in the closing stages of the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday. I suspect that many in the crowd had to refer … Read More »

Where possible, I try to correct mistakes. I don’t mean factual errors so much as mood or overall background. The other day, troubled by a recently fractured right arm, I was caught somewhere between the sporting years 1964 and 1982 … Read More »

At first sight Saturday’s Dewhurst Stakes looked nothing special, with the first three finishing within two necks of each other and the ante-post favourite The Lion In Winter an absentee. The most intriguing performance came from Aidan O’Brien’s Expanded, who … Read More »

I think most of us felt beforehand that there was no outstanding candidate for the Arc but I have to admit that I didn’t really fancy Bluestocking to win. The thing that most surprised me was how significant the betting … Read More »

I was very selective with my advices for Newmarket last week, nominating just four horses over the three days. The one that I was most keen on was Lake Victoria, who was dropping down in trip to six furlongs for … Read More »