Impaire to not let his rivals Passe in Aintree Hurdle April 10, 2024 AINTREE’s Grand National Festival gets underway today and while the big race on Saturday will be the spectacle many are waiting for, today’s card is full of top-quality contests. I struggled to find a bet in the opening two Grade Ones, as I expect the Manifesto (1.45pm) to be fought out by the one-two from [...]
A drop of Whiskey will go down well in a competitive Red Rum April 10, 2024 AFTER plenty of small fields to begin the day’s card, the Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase (4.40pm) – always a competitive contest on Day One of the Grand National meeting – provides better each-way betting prospects. Last year’s winner Dancing On My Own is back to repeat the feat under Rachael Blackmore and recent [...]
EP: 265 Aintree – Friday April 10, 2024 There are another four Grade 1 races to look forward to at Aintree on Friday, plus the Topham Chase, run over 2m 5f over the grand national course, during a fantastic day of racing in Liverpool. City AM Racing editor Bill Esdaile previews Friday’s Ladies Day Aintree action. Hosted by Chris Barnett. The Punter ‘The Punter’ [...]
Success is written in the stars for Purton and Shum April 9, 2024 HONG Kong racing enthusiasts can look forward to a rain-free nine-race programme at Happy Valley today, with a number of highly competitive handicaps on show. A rogue lightning storm scuppered calculations at Sha Tin last Sunday, with numerous jockeys commenting that a change to a soft surface during racing had contributed to their gallopers running [...]
Show Respect for Cruz’s Winning Heart under Bentley April 9, 2024 THERE is just no stopping the legendary Tony Cruz saddling winners in Hong Kong at present. His stable recorded a staggering 11 victories in the month of March, not including Group One California Spangle’s success in Dubai, and that run is showing no signs of abating. With another three victories last week, Cruz brought up [...]
EP: 264 Aintree – Thursday April 9, 2024 The opening day of this year’s Aintree Festival sees no fewer than four Grade 1 races for jumps fans to savour, including the Aintree Bowl and Aintree Hurdle, plus the big field Foxhunter Chase which is run over the famous grand national fences. City AM Racing editor Bill Esdaile previews all of Thursday’s Aintree action. Hosted [...]
P: 263 Kempton, Chelmsford & Hong Kong April 5, 2024 Kelso’s Saturday jumps card has already been called off due to a waterlogged track. The Listed Snowdrop Fillies’ Stakes alongside two competitive handicaps feature on Kempton’s Saturday flat meeting. The ITV cameras are also heading to Chelmsford and we’ll take a look at one of their feature races. City AM Racing editor Bill Esdaile previews [...]
Bowman and Love can dig Deep in the Sprint Cup April 5, 2024 THERE is plenty to look forward to for Hong Kong racing enthusiasts on Sunday morning, when Sha Tin hosts a 10-race programme, featuring a couple of local Group Two contests, totalling around £1.7 million in prize-money. All eyes will be on proclaimed ‘World’s Best Sprinter’ Lucky Sweynesse, who seeks to get his season back on [...]
Dragon set to Illuminate the track at Sha Tin April 5, 2024 THE GROUP Two Chairman’s Trophy (9.45am), run over a mile, is a real head-scratcher for form pundits, with the majority of the 13 contenders having shown their best form over longer trips, while some others are using this contest as a prep race for the Group One QEII Cup over 10 furlongs later in the [...]
Gavin Cromwell: Vanillier’s strength lies in his jumping April 4, 2024 TRAINER Gavin Cromwell is taking no prisoners in this year’s Grand National, sending last year’s runner-up, Vanillier, back into the mix, alongside Cheltenham Festival winner Limerick Lace and Malina Girl. Commenting on Vanillier’s progress and his expectation of the gelding against the favourite, Lucinda Russell’s Corach Rambler, William Hill ambassador Cromwell said: “I think Vanillier [...]