Racing betting: Waady looks the safest option in Temple Stakes May 19, 2016 Trying to guess what the weather is going to do is the bane of my life. This time last week Newbury had been hit by over 50mm of rain in 24 hours and the ground for the Lockinge meeting was officially soft, heavy in places. Obviously I opted for horses with plenty of soft ground form, [...]
Racing betting: Awtaad can bridge 40-year Guineas gap for Prendergast May 19, 2016 Good things come to those who wait, the famous saying goes. Well, there is no denying that Kevin Prendergast will go down in racing history as one of Ireland’s finest trainers. His career has spanned generations, yet his one and only Irish 2,000 Guineas winner was Northern Treasure way back in 1976. The long wait [...]
Dreaming of Derby success: Bill Esdaile visits Newmarket ahead of this year’s Classic May 17, 2016 With this year’s Investec Derby just over two weeks away, Newmarket is a hive of activity as the world’s most prestigious flat race draws ever closer. While trainers finalise their preparations for Epsom, breeders in the same equine parish are plotting the creation of future contenders. Trainer John Gosden, who saddled last year’s winner Golden [...]
Horse racing betting: Time to follow the Bear now that rain has hit Newbury May 12, 2016 What a difference a week makes. Seven days ago we were all preparing for the hottest weekend of the year and the thought of anything other than lightning-fast ground for this Saturday's Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes (3.55pm) at Newbury was unthinkable. However, more than 50mm of rain has fallen on the Berkshire track since Tuesday [...]
Horse racing betting: Frankie Dettori all set for another Flying dismount May 12, 2016 Connections of last season’s St Leger runner-up Bondi Beach have opted to miss Friday’s Betway Yorkshire Cup (4.05pm) in favour of a tilt at Sunday’s Vintage Crop Stakes back home in Ireland. His absence has paved the way for in-form Frankie Dettori to potentially ride his fifth winner of the feature race on the final day of [...]
Racing betting: Take an Epsom punt on Port Douglas and Cloth Of Stars May 11, 2016 With the last of the major Investec Derby trials run at York on Thursday afternoon, I thought it an opportune moment to look at the ante-post market for next month’s Classic. Midterm currently heads the betting at 10/3 with Betway and that price is likely to contract further should he be successful in today’s Dante [...]
Racing betting: Midterm can be Stoute’s seventh Dante winner May 11, 2016 Thursday’s Dante Stakes (3.15pm) at York has long been recognised as one of the most important trials for next month’s Investec Derby. Golden Horn became the fourth colt since the millennium to go on to Epsom glory having landed this historic Group Two prize 12 months ago. Trainer Sir Michael Stoute has saddled an impressive [...]
Racing betting: Danzeno’s a grand old bet to march home in the Duke Of York May 10, 2016 With a 40/1 winner 12 months ago and two others at 25/1 and 20/1 within the last six years, the Duke Of York Clipper Logistics Stakes (Wednesday 3.15pm) has not been a happy hunting ground for favourite backers. The betting for this year’s Group Two prize, run over six furlongs, is headed by Charlie Hills’ Magical [...]
Racing betting: So Mi Dar to call the tune in the Musidora May 10, 2016 Trainer John Gosden has saddled three of the last five winners of the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes (3.45pm) and he will be hoping to improve on that already impressive record on Wednesday afternoon. The Newmarket handler sends the unbeaten filly SO MI DAR to York on the back of a gutsy win against the colts in [...]
Horse racing betting: Don’t Wait For Me to back the Swinton Hurdle winner at Haydock May 5, 2016 Haydock stages a really interesting mixed card on Saturday and National Hunt enthusiasts have their last fix before July’s Galway Festival. Final declarations are made for the Swinton Hurdle (2.15pm) on Friday morning, but the entries suggest this year’s renewal is going to be high quality. Dan Skelton had a fantastic 2015/16 season, culminating in [...]