Fearless Hewitson can Fire Let’s Do It to a first victory April 12, 2022 JOCKEY Lyle Hewitson can continue his run of good fortune when the former three-time South African champion partners bottom-weight LET’S DO IT in the Canal Handicap (2.45pm) over the extended mile at Happy Valley today. Hewitson, who has ridden winners at Happy Valley and Sha Tin in the past week, has found it tough going since returning [...]
Purton’s skill can help Dragon escape ‘kiss of death’ from dreaded stall 12 April 12, 2022 STALL 12 at Happy Valley, especially in extended mile races, is normally the kiss of death for any galloper housed there. There are reasons to believe however, that it won’t stop HK DRAGON successfully following up last month’s course and distance win in the second division of the Morrison Hill Handicap (2.15pm). His victory with Zac Purton [...]
EP: 124 Aintree Grand National Day & Hong Kong April 8, 2022 For some, the greatest jumps race in the world takes place on Saturday afternoon at Aintree racecourse when 40 horses line up in this year’s Grand National, run over the unique and historic fences. Jockey Davy Russell talks us through the Gordon Elliott runners. Charlie Longsdon has always hoped his exciting grey Snow Leopardess would [...]
SECOND CAN TURN THIRD INTO FIRST THIS TIME AROUND April 7, 2022 Bill Esdaile’s Grand National 1-2-3-4-5 Any Second Now Run Wild Fred Delta Work Longhouse Poet Fortescue BUSINESS as usual. That’s the message from Aintree as the crowds flock back in their thousands after last year’s ‘behind-closed-doors’ Randox Grand National. However, one notable absentee this year is Tiger Roll, who will not be bidding for a historic [...]
Three Stripe Life looks a Steel in Mersey Novices’ Hurdle April 7, 2022 SATURDAY’S Betway Mersey Novices’ Hurdle (2.25pm) doesn’t look the most competitive Grade One and the one that stands out on form is Gordon Elliott’s THREE STRIPE LIFE. This son of Leading Light has finished second in each of his three starts this season – all in Grade One company – and on the last two occasions has [...]
Mac Tottie can light up Ladies’ Day in Topham April 7, 2022 TODAY’S Randox Topham Chase (4.05pm) is the only chance for many of the Grand National jockeys to get a sight of the famous fences ahead of tomorrow’s big one. They’ll of course already be eyeing up National glory, but this would certainly be the ideal preparation ahead of the world’s greatest steeplechase. As with most big handicaps [...]
EP: 123 Aintree – Friday April 7, 2022 We can look forward to some high class jumps racing at Aintree on Friday, a day before the Grand National takes place. Four Grade 1 races feature on Friday, alongside the Topham Handicap Chase which is run over the national fences, albeit over a shorter trip. City A.M. racing editor Bill Esdaile previews the best [...]
It looks just the White Thyme to take Rum Before Midnight  April 6, 2022 YOU’VE got to have a few pounds in hand to win today’s Red Rum Chase (4:40pm) at Aintree. Last year’s winner, Editeur Du Gite, won off a mark of 132, and has since gone on to win competitive handicaps at Cheltenham off 140, 147 and finish fourth in unsuitably heavy ground Grand Annual off 153. [...]
Fresh Kemboy can give Mullins another Bowl April 6, 2022 THERE is no mistake that currently the Irish have the upper hand in National Hunt racing. Tornado Flyer’s dominant victory in the King George and a clean sweep of all four championship races at the Cheltenham Festival were further evidence that they are streets ahead of their British counterparts at the moment. It’s certainly a [...]
Brazil set to silence the Piper at Aintree April 6, 2022 PLENTY predicted another Irish whitewash at this year’s Cheltenham Festival but luckily the home team held their own until the last day at least. That said, one division where the Irish appear to hold all the aces is the juveniles with dominant performances in both the Triumph Hurdle and the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle. Irish-trained horses [...]