The two oddsmen allowed to take bets from owners at the Ebor meeting found it a tough way to turn a profitBookmaking is not a charitable enterprise, as many a punter has learned the hard way over the years, but the two bookies who stood at York during last week’s Ebor meeting came as close to selfless toil as anyone is ever likely to in their line of work. Joe Huddlestone and Keith Johnson were pathfinders for the whole profession, charged with proving that betting can operate under strict anti-Covid conditions, knowing there was little chance of chiseling a decent profit out of it. Related: Dettori to quarantine after beating Queen's horse, Tactical, in Prix Morny Ayr 1.10 Full Of...
Alan King can bag another big prize on the Flat with his improving, lightly raced runner of the final day of the meetingThe prize fund is much reduced from last year’s £1m, but the Ebor field is as deep and competitive as ever.Fujaira Prince was impressive at Royal Ascot but a 9lb rise could make life difficult. William Haggas’s Pablo Escobarr and Monica Sheriff are much respected too but drawn 20 and 21 respectively, while Willie Mullins’s True Self travelled like the best horse in the race for much of the way 12 months ago. Related: Battaash battles to Nunthorpe success and four-timer for Jim Crowley at York Uttoxeter 12.30 Miss Farage 1.05 Global Agreement 1.40 Return Ticket 2.10 Skylanna Breeze...
Art Power looked every inch a Group One horse in the making at Royal Ascot and can pull off the shock of the season at YorkBattaash is without doubt one of the fastest five-furlong horses of recent decades and will inevitably start at cramped odds as he attempts to win the Nunthorpe Stakes for the second year running at York on Friday.Like many top sprinters, though, he often ends up beating much the same field from one race to the next. Not so this time, when Tim Easterby’s Art Power (3.15) promises to be a fascinating fresh opponent for Charlie Hills’s gelding. Related: Love conquers all in Yorkshire Oaks and now heads Arc de Triomphe betting Salisbury 12.20 Twilight Song 12.50...
Eye-catching Ascot runner-up looks an attractive bet in a hot handicap on day two of the popular Knavesmire fixtureThe Yorkshire Oaks is the most prestigious event on the second day on the Knavesmire but the one-mile Clipper Logistics Handicap is the race most punters will be eager to solve and it is a deep and fascinating puzzle.Only a handful of the 19 runners can be safely discounted and while Top Rank, the unbeaten favourite, has looked like a Group horse in handicaps on his last two starts, this is by far his most difficult assignment and his mark is up 12lb since his latest outing. Related: Ghaiyyath stakes claim to world's best with Juddmonte International win Windsor1.20 Mark Of Respect1.55...
Bloodstock firm said last week it would leave British racing immediately but its horses continue to turn up at the trackPhoenix Thoroughbreds’ continuing stay in British racing could extend to winning one of the season’s most valuable handicaps, as Deja is expected to carry their colours in the Ebor on Saturday. The bloodstock operation put out a statement one week ago saying it would quit the sport in this country “with immediate effect” over what it described as “unfair” press coverage but it has since continued to race its horses with no evident change in pattern. Related: Talking Horses: jockey's return from broken back spurred by Liverpool title Beverley 1.00 Bay Of Whispers 1.30 Beechwood Donna 2.00 Princess Power 2.30 Diamond...