Several September race-meetings have been suggested to government as possible trials for the return of spectatorsRace meetings at Newmarket and Ayr next month have been submitted to the government for possible use as trial days for the return of spectators, The Guardian understands. The Ayr Gold Cup meeting and the Cambridgeshire meeting, which both run for three days in the second half of September, have been put forward alongside St Leger week at Doncaster as racing seeks to organise a trial in place of the one that was cancelled at Goodwood recently. Related: Talking Horses: Yorkshire Oaks clash is off as Enable goes to Kempton Tips by Chris Cook Continue reading...
A first meeting with the Oaks winner Love seemed on the cards but veteran mare will have a quieter Arc prep next monthNext week’s seismic clash in the Yorkshire Oaks is off, connections of Enable having decided to prioritise her attempt to win the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe for an unprecedented third time. It had been hoped that she would line up on the Knavesmire against Love, the much-feted Irish filly who won the Oaks by nine lengths.That would have turned the York race, a week on Thursday, into a mini-Arc, since Enable and Love are the top two in the betting for the Paris race in early October. But it has been decided that might not be the...
Up-and-coming trainer has done well at the Queen’s course this summer and another big TV race could be within his graspAscot must be Charlie Fellowes’ favourite course, considering the young Newmarket trainer has won more races there than at any other track this year, including a double at the Royal meeting. He heads back there with his game chestnut Jeremiah (3.35) for the Thames Hospice Handicap, the main betting race on ITV4’s seven-race programme.Jeremiah looks a horse who has just grown into himself, travelling strongly and battling dourly to beat Sam Cooke here last time, the pair clear. That was a better race than the one won by Look Closely and Jeremiah seems overpriced at 7-1. Related: Ascot still has...
Prize money levels have been shored up for 2020 but racing urgently needs the return of crowds, says Levy Board officialThe reserve fund available to tide horse racing through difficult times will be 40% lower at the end of the year than at the outset of the Covid-19 crisis, underlining the sport’s pressing need for the return of crowds. Reserves held at the Levy Board are expected to be around £30m by the end of December, having been around £50m back in March, according to the Board’s chief executive, Alan Delmonte. Related: Talking Horses: ITV's new three-year deal plus tips for Tuesday racing Tips by Chris Cook Continue reading...
An apprentice jockey who attended a recent race-meeting has tested positive for the virus, the ruling body has confirmedBritain’s horse racing community has something new to worry about, following the news that one of its number has tested positive for the coronavirus. The British Horseracing Authority has confirmed the news about an unnamed apprentice jockey, who, although they have not ridden competitively for some weeks, did recently attend a race-meeting. Related: Stan Mellor, outstanding jockey and nemesis of Arkle, dies aged 83 Haydock Park Continue reading...