The soft ground at Haydock has dampened enthusiasm for Memories Galore but Niblawi has form with cut in the ground and could be the answer to the 12-furlong handicap at AscotAscot escaped relatively unscathed with just 1mm of rain overnight, but more rain is forecast throughout most of the day and the current going at the track, which is good-to-soft, seems unlikely to last the morning, never mind the afternoon. Related: Angry gateman tries to bar Jim Best from entry at Brighton races Continue reading...
Major trainers have begun to discuss their best chasers and hurdlers for the new term, an area in which jump racing scores over the FlatYou know it’s autumn when you start reading reports from various ‘owner days’ at jump racing stables. Paul Nicholls, Jamie Snowden, Noel Meade and Jonjo O’Neill all had major events at their yards yesterday, where they talked about their prospects for the new jumps season, and collectively they’ve produced enough material to fill the front five pages of the Racing Post. Related: ARC denies inexperienced recruits are putting stalls handlers at risk Continue reading...
Offences like the one committed at Tramore should have a specific name and a clear penalty to avoid weeks of agonisingSo here we are, two weeks after Davy Russell hit his horse before a race at Tramore, and the story rumbles on, taking up pages two and three of today’s Racing Post. It will rumble on until at least Tuesday, when the matter is reheard. And yet it could all have been mopped up in a single day if the raceday stewards had been paying sufficient attention. Related: BHA red-faced for raising alarm over 'suspicious' phone call Continue reading...
The Commission is good at insisting that firms must look out for vulnerable gamblers but could be more vocal in other areasThis morning brings news that the Gambling Commission has biffed a gambling website with an eye-watering fine of £7.8m. It reminded me of my summer interview with Sarah Harrison, the GC chief executive, who is dealing out unprecedented punishments like the first sheriff a town ever had. Related: Irish Turf Club reopens case of jockey Davy Russell punching his horse Continue reading...
Blue Laureate (2.15) at Chepstow is the best bet of the day after showing potential at Sandown and Newbury on his first two runsTwelve months ago at the same Epsom bank holiday fixture the bookmakers were running for cover after Silvestre De Sousa rode the first four winners, at odds ranging from 5-2 to 4-1. Following the fifth race, for amateur riders only, De Sousa then finished second and fifth on well-backed mounts in the last two contests.There are those who use the ploy of betting against a jockey continuing a multi-win sequence - on the basis that the later runners can start at shorter odds than their chances warrant. But, of course, there are risks attached … Continue reading...