EP: 241 Newbury, Newcastle & Hong Kong December 1, 2023 The Gold Cup at Newbury is the highlight of another busy Saturday afternoon of jumps action, with the ‘Fighting Fifth’ Hurdle at Newcastle also on this weekend’s menu, where Constitution Hill is due to make his seasonal reappearance. City AM Racing editor Bill Esdaile previews the best of Saturday’s jumps racing action, with Wally Pyrah [...]
Nicholls’ Unknown taken to Complete Newbury mission November 28, 2023 THERE are plenty of great races outside of the Cheltenham Festival and Saturday’s Coral Gold Cup (2.50pm) at Newbury is certainly one of them. Before I dive into my preview, I should point out that as with all of these ante-post pieces, it’s always difficult to know exactly who’s running, so keep an eye out [...]
Back Nickle to knuckle down and beat Allen at Newbury November 28, 2023 FRIDAY’s card at Newbury features two Grade Twos and in the first of those, the John Francombe Novices’ Chase (1.50pm), attention will be on Paul Nicholls’ Hermes Allen as he attempts to make a winning chase debut. Last season’s Challow Hurdle winner has already won a Point-to-Point and looks the type that should make into [...]
Cool runnings expected from Chill and Ruby November 28, 2023 RACEGOERS are in for a treat at Happy Valley today, when the inner-city track hosts an eight-race programme, featuring the six-furlong Class Two Eilean Handicap (2.50pm). ‘Horses for courses’ is an apt name for this contest, with seven of the 11 contenders having accumulated 28 course and distance victories between them. Top-weight Seasons Wit is [...]
Turtle Again to leave rivals shell-shocked with first win November 28, 2023 THE GODS of fortune have finally smiled on the Benno Yung-trained TURTLE AGAIN, who could record his first victory in the Crookston Castle Handicap (12.40pm) over nine furlongs. The New Zealand-bred gelding could be described as a slow-burner since making his first appearance in the territory over a year ago, but has always looked a [...]
Yung and Chau hoping to have some winning Fun Together November 24, 2023 JUST when the many thousands of Zac Purton supporters were finally feeling on good terms with themselves, after their champion had ridden nine winners at the last three race-meetings, he went from hero to zero once again, when bombing out with no success at Happy Valley in mid-week. It must be appreciated the six-time Champion [...]
Atullibigeal will be going for gold at Sha Tin November 24, 2023 SHA TIN in Hong Kong hosts a 10-race programme on Sunday, including a couple of all-weather contests and featuring the Chevalier Cup (8.10am); a handicap run over a mile worth over £400,000 in prize money. With the likes of smart galloper and top-weight Red Lion with Purton aboard in the line-up, plus ultra-consistent Circuit Stellar [...]
EP: 240 Haydock, Ascot & Hong Kong November 24, 2023 The Betfair Chase at Haydock is the feature race on Saturday with last year’s winner Protektorat looking to retain his Grade 1 crown. Ascot is the venue for more high class jumps action, featuring a couple of Grade 2 races. City AM Racing editor Bill Esdaile previews the best of Saturday’s racing action, with Wally [...]
Protekt against any losses in Betfair Chase November 21, 2023 HAYDOCK hosts the first Grade One in Britain this season with the Betfair Chase (3:00pm) on Saturday, and by the look of the early declarations it is set to be a cracker. There isn’t any significant rainfall forecast at the Merseyside track ahead of race day, but with the going currently described as heavy, given [...]
Back Henderson’s Theatre to be Ascot’s star of the show November 21, 2023 IT FEELS like the National Hunt season takes a real step up this weekend and we’ve also got some cracking action at Ascot to get stuck into. The 1965 Chase (1:30pm) looks a belter and sees Shishkin and Pic D’Orhy, the first two home 12 months ago, do battle again. Much has been written about [...]