Platitude (3.45), favourite for the Noel Murless Stakes at Ascot, was a very convincing winner of his last race and his profile is a progressive oneThe feature event at Ascot this afternoon offers up a classic racing puzzle: proven form versus exciting potential. Platitude, the five-length winner of the March Stakes at Goodwood in August, is the favourite for the Listed Noel Murless Stakes at 11-8, and the six opponents lined up against him include Dermot Weld’s three-year-old Aydoun, whose sole race to date was a maiden at Listowel 15 days ago, which he won by nearly five lengths. Related: Horse racing tips: Friday 30 September Continue reading...
Penny Pot Lane appeals in Nottingham’s tough sprint handicap, with Nathan Evans aboardThere are some tricky and competitive events on the cards at Nottingham and Salisbury this afternoon, not least the six-furlong sprint handicap at the former track, in which it is 8-1 the field and it is possible to make some sort of a case for every one of the 17 runners. Continue reading...
Fascinating Rock is out of Sunday’s Arc, leaving Frankie Dettori with no booked ride in the raceWell, that didn’t last long! Dermot Weld moved yesterday to book Frankie Dettori for Fascinating Rock in Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Today, he took the horse out of the race. Related: Frankie Dettori celebrates the 20th anniversary of his Ascot clean sweep Continue reading...
The Horserace Bettors Forum seems in need of your support, plus best bets for heavy going at HamiltonThe creation of the Horserace Bettors Forum last year was an early success story for the BHA’s new chief executive, Nick Rust, and I’ve been impressed by the diligent, imaginative and hard-working way in which the forum has gone about the hard work of giving punters a single voice. It’s deflating, then, to read this first annual statement from the chairman, which makes clear how much work remains to be done before the HBF can be seen as a significant force in racing politics. Continue reading...
John Gosden can get some compensation today for the injury that ruled Sacred Act out of Saturday’s big raceI rarely feel sorry for John Gosden, who has had his share of success in this life, but it was a great pity that his Sacred Act had to be ruled out of tomorrow’s Cambridgeshire through lameness. The horse had a terrific chance to land that valuable handicap and it may also have been the trainer’s chance to notch a notable double, since I think he’s going to win the Silver Cambridgeshire this afternoon with Daily Bulletin (5.55). Related: Godolphin confident Blue Point can outlast Mehmas in Middle Park Continue reading...