I do not really ‘switch over’ to the jumps until the weekend of the Paddy Power Gold Cup so this is a fairly short update. Last week I went for Withernsea at Newmarket and felt that he was unlucky for … Read More »

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 »

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 »

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 »

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 »

I was quite pleased with the way things worked out last week, although it was a pity George Bowen could not quite get past stable-companion Tatlisu in the Ayr Silver Cup. We have made the point several times that it’s … Read More »

It has been another difficult week, though bets have been kept to a minimum. I came closer to catching another of Richard Fahey’s on the line when El Viento finished second at 10/1 at Ayr on Friday and the trainer … Read More »

If someone had told me that defending champion Marin Cilic would take only three games against Novak Djokovic in their US Open semi-final, I’d have advised him to take more water with it. However, the Serb was in magnificent form … Read More »

The only high spot this week was Heartsong winning again at Brighton. She has been a good source of profit on the line, though the 6/4 after her 10/1 success at Chepstow was rather disappointing. The handicapper will make things … Read More »

I was quite pleased with the main selection last week, Shared Equity running well all the way to finish a good third in a very intricate Goodwood handicap. True, the handicapper knows all about him but I feel sure Jedd … Read More »

We are enjoying an extended family holiday in Canada but I’ve been trying to keep an up-to-date service running on all Marten Julian fronts. I was very happy with Desert Law on the telephone line the other evening but, from … Read More »

The Qatari influence was everywhere at Goodwood, the term ‘Glorious’ has vanished and everything has changed. Even so, I must say that last week’s was just about the most enjoyable spectacle on the Sussex Downs I have ever experienced. There … Read More »