The ex-England striker has a fine chance on Calder Prince in today’s charity race but his riding inexperience could cost himGood luck to Michael Owen in his charity race at Ascot today, and also to the other ‘jockeys’ ranged against him, who have varied levels of experience. Judging by horses alone, Owen should have a right chance of actually winning, because he’s on Calder Prince, who is only 1lb off being the best in the race by ratings, copes well with some cut and has been in fair recent form. Related: Mutiny predicted if BHA insists on tightening anti-doping rules Related: Regulator at odds with trainers over new rules for equine wind operations Continue reading...
Racing’s ruling body has come up with another punter-friendly initiative, for all that we’ll have to work hard to make good use of itIt’s great to learn that wind ops will have to be declared in the future and the British Horseracing Authority is due plenty of credit for taking another punter-friendly step towards openness in the Nick Rust era. It’s another piece of information that will help anyone making a serious attempt to understand the game and that is an indisputably good thing in my book. Related: Coneygree gallop puts the Gold Cup winner on course for Ladbrokes Trophy Continue reading...
As the trainer pointed out during a press visit to her Moone stables on Monday, recent Gold Cup winners have not defended their crownIn among the heady speculation at Jessica Harrington’s yard about what Sizing John might do this season, there was a moment of realism yesterday. It came when the trainer stated her baseline ambition for the horse. Related: Gordon Elliott’s Outlander joins Sizing John in Irish raid on Betfair Chase Continue reading...
For the sake of racing’s image and its appeal to new punters, trainers must accept that dealing with injury news effectively is part of their jobSomebody, somewhere tried to make a few quid. This is the upsetting detail at the core of Altiorgate, which was still the cause of anxious discussion at Cheltenham on Sunday, as racing and betting professionals tried to divine the lessons to be learned. Related: Altior case shows some snippets demand immediate release to punters Continue reading...
The Nicky Henderson-trained William Henry (2.25) can upset hot favourite Finian’s Oscar in the most interesting race of the day at CheltenhamAlan Potts was one of the biggest supporters of National Hunt racing in recent seasons and many racegoers at Cheltenham will pause to reflect on his contribution to the sport on Friday as the late owner’s familiar red, green and yellow colours go to post for the first time since his sudden death on Monday.Potts enjoyed his finest moment at the track eight months ago, when Sizing John and Robbie Power finished nearly three lengths in front of Minella Rocco in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Finian’s Oscar, a Grade One winner over hurdles last season, is the horse in...