It was not a successful Royal Ascot for me, though I thought it a marvellous meeting. Looking back now, backing Wild Illusion in the Ribblesdale was a mistake. (I separate ‘mistakes’ from ‘losers’ because one category, mistakes, can be avoided, … Read More »

A bonus last week arrived with Intisaab’s SP of 11/4. I thought he was something to bet on in the Class 2 conditions event at Haydock but imagined he’d start favourite. In fact the bookmakers were more interested in Dancing … Read More »

We were right in the first place to prefer Wild Illusion to Soliloquy in the 1,000 Guineas, although it hardly mattered because he finished only fourth. Godolphin were winning just about everything else (five winners over the weekend) but the … Read More »

Last week worked out all right, given that Jallota was a non-runner at Leicester, Altior won at a hopeless price and Call Me Lord ran away with the Select Hurdle at Sandown, emphasising just how moderate the staying hurdle division … Read More »

Sandown is the place to be tomorrow when another ‘orthodox’ NH season comes to a close, though it may fairly be said that summer jumping has changed everything. Dickie Johnson and Nicky Henderson will receive their awards and Cue Card … Read More »

I came to no great harm in the Grand National because Milansbar made it safely round and bookmakers were paying out on the fifth. With the future in mind, Seeyouatmidnight did very well for a long way after having only … Read More »

Dolos, Henderson, Ian Carnaby

I was very pleased with A Momentofmadness last week. As expected, William Buick bounced him out and opened up a handy lead. Runner-up Jumirah Bridge did very well after a six-months’ absence and should win a good sprint handicap on … Read More »

When I studied the entries for the NH meetings this Saturday, the advance forecast going was heavy just about everywhere and, on top of that, the four televised races from Kelso were all handicaps. To be frank, I think it’s … Read More »

Sometimes you have to see the funny side. I noticed with interest that the ‘Medburn’ horses had moved from Paul Henderson to Peter Hedger. I thought Paul ran them a bit too often and they might well do best first … Read More »

Ian Carnaby

In a way, the most interesting horse performing on Town Moor on the opening day of the turf Flat season is John Gosden’s Taqdeer, who contests the 32Red Spring Mile, the Lincoln consolation race. Absent for the better part of … Read More »

It seems that Man Of Plenty is destined to miss out in big handicap hurdles and it was particularly galling to see him finish fifth in the Imperial Cup after securing some 42/1 a win and 7/1 a place on … Read More »

I was pleased with Encore D’Or last week; indeed, his victory and that of Abe Lincoln, also at Lingfield, showed how profitable it can be to follow Ryan Moore when he is engaged for rides outside the Ballydoyle and Sir … Read More »