William and Poet set for Epic battle in Henry II Stakes May 27, 2026 ANOTHER of the Group Three races on Sandown’s card is the Star Sports Henry II Stakes (6.12pm), run over two miles. Won last year by Trawlerman, who followed up on his next start in the Ascot Gold Cup, it’s a good pointer towards Thursday’s showpiece event at the Royal Meeting. However, with Trawlerman taking longer [...]
Jakajaro to have day in the Sun at Haydock May 19, 2026 HAYDOCK’s card this weekend is headlined by two Group Two sprint contests, the Sandy Lane Stakes (2.58pm) and the Temple Stakes (3.30pm). With the weather in the north west unsettled and a good bit of rain around, I’m expecting the ground to be no better than good-to-soft come Saturday. Softer conditions should suit the Clive [...]
Take aim at Silver Bowl with Princling and Scholar May 19, 2026 ANOTHER competitive Haydock contest is the William Hill Silver Bowl Handicap (2.20pm), for three-year-olds over a mile. Many of those entered look to have a couple of pounds up their sleeves, so I’m going to take two runners against the field. The first of those is PRINCLING for the William Haggas yard. He was well [...]
York looks ready for a Rousing Encore May 12, 2026 WITH Classic trials aplenty in the last few weeks, York’s three-day Dante Festival will likely provide the final pieces of the puzzle ahead of the Oaks and Derby. The key trials, Wednesday’s Musidora and Thursday’s Dante Stakes, are both contests that are well worth watching but I’m keen to hunt out a few bets amongst [...]
Zeus to become King of Newbury on Lockinge Day May 12, 2026 FOLLOWING three days on the Knavesmire, we’re treated to Group One action from Newbury with the Lockinge Stakes (2.35pm) taking centre stage on Saturday. Earl of Sefton winner Damysus currently heads the ante-post markets, and while there’s no doubting that was an impressive performance, he must step up again if he is to take [...]
Tuco and Hickory will be hard to break at Ascot May 5, 2026 AFTER Bow Echo’s scintillating 2,000 Guineas performance at the weekend, it’s fair to say that the Flat season is more than up and running. George Boughey’s colt was perhaps as impressive a Guineas winner since a certain Frankel 15 years ago, and it has set the tempo for more quality action on the level. Ascot [...]
Sundance and Gambit the Ones to take Roodee by storm May 5, 2026 FLAT racing fans will also enjoy three days of Chester’s May meeting this week, with Friday’s Chester Cup (3.05pm) looking a difficult puzzle to solve without declarations or the draw. BERKSHIRE SUNDANCE catches the eye at 12/1 having progressed into a smart stayer, rising over a stone in the weights since October thanks to three [...]
Expect Rum to pack a punch before King is crowned April 29, 2026 SATURDAY features the first British Classic of the season, Newmarket’s 2000 Guineas (3.35pm), which also marks the first World Pool fixture of the year in the UK and Ireland. Much of the build-up has centred around Aidan O’Brien’s string of potential contenders, but his grip on the race has slipped since he last won it [...]
Fabre’s Highness looks a royally good bet in fillies’ first Classic April 29, 2026 IT IS the turn of the fillies 24 hours later, with the 1000 Guineas (3.35pm, Sunday) taking centre stage. Precise is supposedly the apple of Aidan O’Brien’s eye for this contest but he hasn’t won this race since 2021, and it looks a wide-open renewal. In line with the 2000 Guineas, it is worth looking [...]
In Power we trust to take D’Or at Sandown April 21, 2026 SANDOWN’s card this Saturday brings the curtain down on the 2025/26 National Hunt season, and while it might not have attracted such a star cast as 12 months ago, there are still plenty of quality races to pick through. The opening Graded contest on the card is the Grade Two Oaksey Chase (2.20pm) and it [...]
