Salt can keep them at Bay on soft ground October 1, 2024 ASCOT hasn’t avoided the country’s torrential downpours, having been pelted with 40mm in the past seven days, making the going currently soft, heavy (in places) on the Round Course and soft on the Straight Course ahead of Saturday’s card. Things look to be drying up as we head into the weekend but conditions at the [...]
Los Angeles ticks Arc boxes for all-powerful Ballydoyle October 1, 2024 A BIG run could be on the cards for LOS ANGELES, who stands out as a top contender in Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (3:20pm). As a three-year-old representing Aidan O’Brien, and with Ryan Moore in the saddle, he represents each-way value at 7/1. While Ballydoyle’s outstanding three-year-old of the season, City Of Troy, [...]
Moore’s d’Or can strike gold at Newmarket September 24, 2024 THIS weekend’s big puzzle to solve is the Cambridgeshire (3:40pm). Only one favourite has obliged in the last decade, while we’ve had a 50/1 winner and two at 40/1. There’s often a likeable, unexposed three-year-old in the line-up that attracts plenty of ante-post support, and this year is no different with Roi De France the [...]
Porter to wipe the Floor with them in Kerry National September 24, 2024 A RETURN to glory for one of Gavin Cromwell’s stable stars is on the cards this afternoon, as FLOORING PORTER lines up in the Kerry National (4.20pm) at Listowel. The legendary two-time Stayers’ Hurdle winner is being switched back for a second stint over the bigger obstacles and will be hard to peg back if [...]
Rohaan set to rule the roost in Ayr Gold Cup September 17, 2024 SOME of the best racing action this week focuses in on the west coast of Scotland, where Ayr hosts its three-day Western Meeting, highlighted by Saturday’s Ayr Gold Cup (3.35pm). This six-furlong dash is usually one of the most hotly contested sprints of the season, with a full field of 25 runners fanning out across [...]
Breathe a sigh of Relief for Haggas’ Rally at Newbury September 17, 2024 NEWBURY’s Saturday card features the Group Two Mill Reef Stakes (3.15pm), named after the star racehorse of the early 1970s, and it looks an intriguing contest but not one I’m willing to have a bet in. Instead, in the opening World Trophy Stakes (1.30pm), Newbury regular RELIEF RALLY looks a smart pick. Last time out, [...]
Fall on Forest to make Park Stakes a successful Affair September 10, 2024 DONCASTER hosts the final Classic of the Flat season this Saturday as the St Leger Stakes (3.40pm) takes centre stage. It’s a chance for horses with strong reserves of stamina to slog it out down the long home straight on Town Moor, and is a race where Aidan O’Brien often has a leading contender. This [...]
Keep the faith with Believing in Bradsell rematch September 10, 2024 IRISH Champions Festival action moves across to the Curragh on Sunday for another fantastic card. The Flying Five (3.00pm) is the first of four Group Ones on the day and features Bradsell at the head of the market. Archie Watson’s colt is seeking back-to-back top-level wins after last month’s Nunthorpe victory but has never fired [...]
Chris Barnett (27/8/1959 – 26/8/2024) August 28, 2024 THAT dreaded telephone call came on Monday morning. The one I knew would come one day, but had hoped wouldn’t. Chris Barnett, host of the City AM Punter podcast, and a man who has defied medical science for so long, finally lost his battle with illness over the Bank Holiday weekend. He was only 64. [...]
Camille Pissarro creates the best impression in open Gimcrack August 22, 2024 THERE aren’t many big races that Aidan O’Brien hasn’t won in 23 years, but the Gimcrack Stakes (3.00pm) is one of them. In truth, it’s not a race the master of Ballydoyle has really targeted with his best stock, but this year I think he’s lined up one of his better juvenile colts for the [...]
