‘There is an audience for pure racing’ says Mark Johnston and others after sport achieves best viewing figures for eight yearsWhat could be more encouraging for horse racing, a sport that seems to struggle for self-confidence much of the time, than the strong viewing figures recorded by ITV for its coverage of Royal Ascot last week? Here was a race-meeting shorn of flummery, sideshow and distraction, so that the focus had nowhere else to go but on the action and the horses, and large audiences evidently found it compelling. Related: Liam Treadwell, 2009 Grand National-winning jockey, dies aged 34 Related: Hancock tried to block plan to build 400 homes in Newmarket Tips by Chris Cook Continue reading...
English King is now a 3-1 shot for the Classic after Frankie Dettori was given the nod to ride in place of Tom MarquandFrankie Dettori has been booked to ride English King for Ed Walker in the Derby on 4 July, removing any lingering doubt that the colt will set off as favourite for the Classic at Epsom on Saturday week.English King returned to action with an impressive two-and-three-quarter length win in a fast time in the Lingfield Derby Trial on 5 June, and the form was backed up when second-placed Berkshire Rocco filled the same spot in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot. Related: Betway dispute highlights problem of punters gaining access to winnings Beverley 12.45 Bomb Proof 1.15 Bal Mal 1.45...
Wichita, narrowly denied in the 2,000 Guineas, can gain compensation in the big race on the final day of Royal AscotWichita (3.00) was denied victory in the 2,000 Guineas by mere inches. The Irish colt can gain compensation in the St James’s Palace Stakes, the big race on the final day of Royal Ascot.Arizona had seemed to be Aidan O’Brien’s main contender but the market spoke in favour of Wichita and we saw why on the track. Pinatubo hit a flat spot at a crucial stage and may be better for the run but Wichita looks one to stick with and it would be a surprise if the form were reversed. Palace Pier has to be respected, as an unbeaten...
Roger Varian’s incredible meeting looks set to continue in the Commonwealth Cup in which he fields Pierre Lapin Roger Varian’s incredible Royal Ascot looks set to continue in Friday’s big race, the Commonwealth Cup, in which he fields Pierre Lapin (3.35). While he is the least experienced in the field after just two runs, he could also be called the most promising on the strength of his Mill Reef success at Newbury in the autumn.Both starts have come on a sound surface but he is a half-brother to Harry Angel, who won a Haydock Sprint Cup on heavy ground and was also beaten less than a length in this race three years ago. Pierre Lapin looks the right favourite but...
Stradivarius deserves plenty of respect as he seeks his Gold Cup hat-trick, but the bookmakers have him too shortStradivarius deserves plenty of respect as he seeks his Gold Cup hat-trick at Royal Ascot on Thursday but the bookmakers have him very short indeed at 4-7 after a couple of defeats. After all, it is just 13 days since he chased Ghaiyyath’s tail in the Coronation Cup, which is hardly a conventional Gold Cup preparation.At 10-1, Moonlight Spirit (3.35) is an interesting alternative, since the Godolphin horse seems on his way to becoming a decent stayer. He was run down late by Technician in France last autumn but has been gelded since and could prove a different proposition this year. Nayef...