Wisdom points to Ancient and Deira in Epsom Derby May 28, 2024 ONCE AGAIN we were second guessing the weather last week, and while the predicted rain arrived at Haydock, none of our fancies showed up on the ground. We live and learn, and we’ll have to do so quickly, as attention turns to Saturday’s Derby (4.30pm). It looks like one of the hardest renewals to decipher [...]
Eze can end Mega long wait for Weld’s second Oaks May 28, 2024 FRIDAY’s Oaks (4.30pm) could well be run on testing ground if the amount of rain that’s forecast does hit Epsom Downs. That’s sure to be music to the ears of connections of Ylang Ylang, who has shown all of her best form to date on a soft surface. She wasn’t disgraced in the 1000 Guineas [...]
Vadream the value with rain likely to turn Haydock soft May 21, 2024 WE WERE caught out by the ever-changeable weather last week, as the predicted rain never arrived leaving Newbury’s ground on the quick side for Lockinge Day, which was never going to be any good for our soft ground favouring selections. With the weather so tough to predict at the moment, it makes ante-post betting even [...]
Channon’s Lad could be hard to pass in Brigadier Gerard May 21, 2024 THURSDAY night’s Brigadier Gerard card might lack a genuine showstopper, but there are some talents worth keeping an eye on. Hawaiian looks a potential Royal Ascot juvenile for Richard Hannon and will be hard to beat in the National Stakes (6.37pm), but at his likely short odds, he’s not a bet for me. Trueshan is [...]
I Spy the value with Catcher in York’s Clipper May 14, 2024 YORK’s Dante Festival begins today, where Oaks and Derby trials the Musidora and Dante take centre stage. Impressive Pretty Polly winner, Friendly Soul, is a strong favourite for today’s Musidora (3.45pm), while in tomorrow’s trial for the colts, Godolphin’s returning Ancient Wisdom heads the market. Neither look like great betting events though, and I’d rather [...]
Beckett’s Salt Bay looks well worth a stake at Newbury May 14, 2024 SATURDAY’s Lockinge (3.35pm) at Newbury is set to feature Inspiral and Big Rock, two of Europe’s best milers. However, forecasts are uncertain and so are their chances depending on conditions, so it’s best to keep our powder dry at this stage. William Haggas has two of his big guns in the Aston Park (1.50pm), but [...]
Forza Orta be in Chester Cup mix with Zanndabad May 7, 2024 WITH the first two Classics of the Flat season now behind us, attention turns to Chester’s May Meeting which will provide clues ahead of the Derby and Oaks. The Classic trials begin today with the Cheshire Oaks (3.05pm) and Chester Vase (3.40pm) providing opportunities for the fillies and colts to lay their claims for Epsom. [...]
Pearle of a chance for De Sousa to continue his fine form May 7, 2024 SILVESTRE de Souza has had a remarkable start to the 2024 season, and that was the case even before he rode Elmalka to victory in last Sunday’s Group One 1000 Guineas. I expect him to remain in the same strain of form at Ascot this Saturday aboard PEARLE D’OR in the Victoria Cup (2.40pm), who [...]
Take two against odds-on Troy in the 2000 Guineas April 30, 2024 IT WAS only last weekend at Sandown that we witnessed Willie Mullins become the first Irish trainer since the great Vincent O’Brien to win the UK Jump Trainers’ Championship, but focus now turns to Newmarket’s Rowley Mile with the first two Classics of the Flat season upcoming. Vincent O’Brien won the 2000 Guineas (3.35pm) four [...]
French raider Ramatuelle to rise to the top in filles’ Classic April 30, 2024 AS IS always the case with the 1000 Guineas, there has been a lot of hype surrounding the good two-year-olds from last year and, on Sunday at 3.40pm, we’ll see whether or not they can live up to it. Unsurprisingly, Aidan O’Brien’s first string, Ylang Ylang, is right there at the top of the market [...]
