Epsom clerk of course Andrew Cooper predicts good to soft ground for the Classic after heavy rain fails to materialiseThe draw for the Derby on Saturday has just been completed and Saxon Warrior, the strong favourite, has been drawn on the inside of the field in stall one. The one box has not supplied the Derby winner so far this century, although it was the berth for the last one in the 20th century – Oath, who gave Sir Henry Cecil his fourth Derby winner in 1999. Related: Bernard Kantor relishes being in Derby contention with Young Rascal Lingfield Park 1.40 Breakfast 2.10 Blackfyre 2.40 Jackblack 3.10 Hint Of Grey 3.40 Stormingin (nap) 4.10 The Night King 4.40 Red Island 5.10 Renny’s Lady...
Derby-winning jockey was effusive in his thanks for the support he has received since being diagnosed with cancerIt was great to see Pat Smullen up and about at The Curragh yesterday, showing no signs of ill health that I saw, having been battling cancer for the past couple of months. The Derby-winning jockey of 2016 was found to have a pancreatic tumour and is now receiving chemotherapy but said: “I think we’re winning the fight.” Related: Jessie Harrington aims Irish 1,000 Guineas victor Alpha Centauri at Ascot Huntingdon 1.30 Fifty Shades 2.00 Competition 2.35 Stuccodor 3.10 Walden Prince 3.45 The Wicket Chicken (nap) 4.20 Salix 4.55 Full Bore Continue reading...
The credentials of this Prix de l’Abbaye winner are hard to fault at HaydockThere are a few things for odds-on gamblers to worry about as Battaash (4.00) returns to the track in Saturday’s Temple Stakes at Haydock. Personally, if I’m going to back something at 8-11 or similar, I prefer to know that this race is the big day.No such comfort is available because the Haydock contest is a reappearance run, intended to get the freshness out of this zippy sort before Royal Ascot. He is giving weight to all his rivals and is partnered by the owner’s second jockey because the No 1 has gone to Ireland for the day. All the same the credentials of this Prix de l’Abbaye...
‘I’ve only got good things to say about him,’ says businessman whose Cheltenham meeting with Harman led to a BHA rowAlex Frost, whose Alizeti Consortium is taking over the Tote, has spoken for the first time of his disappointment at Steve Harman giving up his position as chairman of racing’s ruling body, the eventual result of their meeting at the Cheltenham Festival. Frost praised Harman’s qualities and noted his good relationship with members of the government, giving racing access to power it has not always enjoyed. Related: Carroll ‘massively disappointed’ by £200,000 fraud trial collapse Haydock 1.50 Mac O'Polo 2.20 Good Fortune 2.55 Beyond Equal 3.30 Shepherd Market (nb) 4.05 Improve 4.40 Mosalim 5.15 Dashing Poet 5.45 Seaborough Goodwood 2.00 Swiss Chime 2.35 Portledge...
Recent fighting has forced the racecourse to have police officers present every raceday for the remainder of the seasonAs Goodwood starts a three-day meeting, it’s encouraging to read that security has already been tightened up significantly since the brawl at their Saturday meeting earlier this month. Most importantly, there is to be a police presence at every raceday there for the rest of the season.This could certainly be seen as overkill. I imagine the officers posted to Goodwood for their Sunday fixture in mid-October will have very little to do but try to get the placepot up. Related: Fraud trial collapses over disclosure of BHA evidence Lingfield 1.10 Cricklewood Green 1.40 Crossing The Line 2.15 Mooroverthebridge 2.50 Hollander 3.25 Gravity Wave...