RACING can suffer a dearth of quality in the weeks before the Cheltenham Festival but today takes the biscuit. I love going racing, especially to the smaller midweek jumps meetings, but I would have to be drugged and thrown in the boot of my car to be tempted to attend today’s fare at Taunton and …[Read More]
01
Nov 2013
Saturday selections: Harry Topper can topple Long Run
FABULOUS racing on Saturday. The Breeders’ Cup will take centre stage this evening but before that there is some serious National Hunt fare at Wetherby, Ascot, Down Royal and Ayr. There will be Cheltenham Festival clues aplenty, even at this early stage of the season. So here are a few fancies… MENDIP EXPRESS (12.45 Wetherby): …[Read More]
31
Oct 2013
Dark Horses: Centasia, Carraig Mor and Ainsi Fideles
I’M off to Wetherby on Friday where the highly promising Oscar Rock makes his hurdling debut in the opening race. But I’ll be casting a beady eye towards Uttoxeter where two young horses really catch the eye. CENTASIA is a big strong mare who won a couple of bumpers impressively last season before running well …[Read More]
19
Feb 2013
Whispering Gallery enters Cheltenham Festival picture
TODAY at Wetherby I witnessed the easiest winner I’ve ever seen in the flesh. I could have won on Whispering Gallery. The horse never broke sweat. Neither did Denis O’Regan. Granted, he is one of those stylish jockeys who makes race riding look so easy. But he never moved a muscle. He didn’t have to. …[Read More]
24
May 2012
Estrela can be the darling at Goodwood
Vow’s striking victory in the Lingfield Oaks Trial was one of the most impressive performances of the season ahead of the fillies’ Epsom classic. Roger Charlton’s Estrela went toe-to-toe with her until fading in the final quarter mile but she could gain handsome compensation in Goodwood’s feature race today. The Authorized filly is coming back …[Read More]
Daily Dabble: January 26
TEN days ago AZERT DE COEUR (3.25) caught the eye with the way he served it up to the improving Caraline at Wetherby, going down by a head. There were 15 lengths back to the third. Today Venetia Williams’ six-year-old is back at the North Yorkshire track as he bids to go one better. He …[Read More]