O’Brien readies Ballydoyle sextet for Epsom glory June 4, 2025 TO WIN just one Epsom Classic is the pinnacle for most trainers. For Aidan O’Brien, however, success in the Derby and Oaks has become part and parcel of his dominance of the sport. The master of Ballydoyle has won both races a staggering 10 times each, and this year brings another powerful squad across the [...]
Beckett’s filly can say au Revoir to eight Oaks rivals June 4, 2025 FRIDAY’S Oaks (4.00pm) could be turned into a proper stamina test with rain forecast to hit Epsom between now and the stalls opening. That could tip the balance in favour of the promising and unexposed Ralph Beckett-trained filly REVOIR, who makes plenty of each-way appeal at around 10/1. Beckett knows what it takes to land [...]
The Punter Podcast Episode 33: Epsom Derby Festival and Happy Valley June 4, 2025 Tom Marriott and Bill Esdaile preview the two-day Epsom Derby Festival, including an appearance from top jockey William Buick. Plus, Wally Pyrah takes a look at Wednesday’s racing from Happy Valley in Hong Kong. The Punter ‘The Punter’ has been City AM’s dedicated sports betting section for over a decade with a primary focus on [...]
Midak can prove poignant Derby winner June 3, 2025 BUOYANT after tipping four Sandown winners from four selections in last week’s column, all eyes turn to Saturday’s Derby (3.30pm) as I hope our luck can continue. This year’s renewal of the Epsom Classic looks wide open, certainly more so than the betting suggests. Delacroix is the 11/4 favourite and, credit where it’s due, Aidan [...]
Hurricane will have to show Defiance on Ladies’ Day June 3, 2025 BEFORE we take aim at the Oaks in Thursday’s paper, there look to be a couple of others worth shouting about on Epsom’s Friday card. The first I like is Eve Johnson Houghton’s HAVANA HURRICANE in the Woodcote Stakes (2.05pm), fairly priced at around 11/2. This two-year-old colt was a taking winner on debut at [...]
Trust in Joy to Spring back into winners’ circle June 3, 2025 UMBRELLAS are likely to be at the fore when racegoers arrive at Happy Valley in Hong Kong on Wednesday for a nine-race programme, featuring a couple of red-hot Class Three sprint contests. Rain didn’t materialise during the action last week when the forecast suggested otherwise, but the city track will be lucky to get away [...]
Purton is right Rider to put Storm ahead of rivals June 3, 2025 BETTORS face a big question in the fiercely competitive Stanley Gap Handicap (2.10pm) over six furlongs. Will the blinkers, equipped on STORM RIDER for the first time, derive the necessary improvement needed for the four-year-old to score his first success in the territory? Three consecutive runner-up spots in the last couple of months suggest the [...]
Johannes Brahms can take Express route to victory for Ng May 30, 2025 LOCAL racing enthusiasts have plenty to look forward to when they arrive at Sha Tin in Hong Kong on Saturday with an 11-race programme, featuring two Group Three contests, the Lion Rock Trophy (8.00am) over a mile, and the Sha Tin Vase (9.05am) over six furlongs. The John Size-trained Red Lion brings the best form [...]
Luck can score again for Flying Fownes yard May 30, 2025 FAMOUS last words, especially after plenty of shock results in Hong Kong over the past month or so, but favourite backers look set for a profitable day at Sha Tin. The likes of top-weights Dazzling Fit in the Tin Sam Handicap (7.30am) over seven furlongs, and Masterofmyuniverse in the Tai Wai Handicap (8.35am) over six [...]
Almaqam can Star in Brigadier Gerard May 28, 2025 Thursday’s Star Sports Brigadier Gerard Evening from Sandown is Britain’s richest evening race meeting and visitors to the Esher track look set to be treated to some top-quality racing. After the action kicks off at 6.05pm, racing fans will enjoy the Star Sports National Stakes (6.35pm), which is a fascinating juvenile contest. Richard Hannon’s First [...]