Cool customer set for Derby Debut June 5, 2015 Robin Hutchison talks to jockey Pat Dobbs ahead of his first ride in the Investec Derby AS THE son of a construction worker from Enniscorthy, County Wexford, Pat Dobbs knows a thing or two about laying good foundations. But after building a successful, if unsung, career over the last 20 years he will finally put [...]
Oasis Fantasy to prove out of the ordinary in tricky handicap June 5, 2015 RACE 6 5.15pm Investec Out Of The Ordinary Handicap IN big field handicaps at the high-profile race meetings it can be tempting to ignore the first few in the market in search of a longer-priced alternative. That will be the view of many punters when they take a look at today’s Investec Out of the [...]
Ashpan Sam well-handicapped in Derby Day Finale June 5, 2015 RACE 7 5.50pm Investec Asset Management Handicap ASHPAN SAM was an electric winner of the last race on today’s card 12 months ago and John Spearing’s six-year-old looks primed to go close in his repeat bid. That came off a mark of 100 and he went up to 105 for that 1 1/2 length triumph [...]
Barca can be blocked by stubborn Juve June 4, 2015 BEN CLEMINSON PREVIEWS TOMORROW’S CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL AND BILL ESDAILE LOOKS AHEAD TO THE INVESTEC DERBY BARCELONA are just the Champions League final away from completing a famous treble, but the Juventus team which stands in their way at Berlin’s Olympiastadion tomorrow night will not be there just to make up the numbers. Lionel Messi’s [...]
Jack Hobbs can leave his Investec Derby rivals stumped June 4, 2015 THE Investec Derby (4.30pm) is the absolute pinnacle for any racehorse. The unique contours of Epsom Downs put demands on a three-year-old thoroughbred like no other course on the planet. This race has been dominated by one man in recent years, Aidan O’Brien, who is certain to go down as one of the greatest trainers [...]
Jack Naylor can hammer home the Oaks for Harrington June 4, 2015 BILL ESDAILE PREVIEWS THE INVESTEC OAKS AND THE BEST OF THE OTHER RACES FROM EPSOM TODAY LITTLE more than three months ago, trainer Jessica Harrington had hurdling’s number one prize on her agenda as the now-retired AP McCoy unsuccessfully attempted to ride Jezki to back-to-back Champion Hurdle successes at Cheltenham. Today the playing field is [...]
Odeliz can finally net the Group prize that she richly deserves June 4, 2015 THE Investec Derby Festival gets underway with this afternoon’s Princess Elizabeth Stakes (2.00pm) where Karl Burke’s ODELIZ is going to take all the beating. This five-year-old mare hasn’t won since September 2013, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. She has run some fine races in defeat, notably when beaten just a length by Thistle [...]
Villa can keep Arsenal waiting in quest to retain FA Cup May 28, 2015 BEN CLEMINSON PREVIEWS THE FA CUP FINAL AND HARRY MADLEY LOOKS AT RUGBY’S PREMIERSHIP FINAL ARSENAL waited nine years for a major trophy but are as short as 2/7 with Betway to get their second in 12 months as they battle Aston Villa to hold on to their FA Cup crown at Wembley tomorrow afternoon. [...]
Fave will Cheka-mate opposition in Solario December 29, 2008 The Marcus Tregoning trained Shabiba looks the filly to beat at Sandown tomorrow in the Iveco Atalanta Stakes live on Channel 4 at 2.05pm. She is stepping back up to a mile after a promising third to Visit over an inadequate seven furlongs at Goodwood last time out. The daughter of Misterah didn’t get going [...]
Richard Fahey sprinter deserves Utmost Respect September 5, 2008 Even though protective covers have been laid out all over the track since last Saturday, the ground at Haydock tomorrow will still be really testing. Don’t for one minute that when the officials remove all the sheets, they are going to reveal a decent surface. The ground was already bottomless when they laid out the [...]