The most successful ever female jockey in Britain or Ireland is one floor above the glass ceiling and still climbing with two more Grade Ones added to her impressive tally over ChristmasRachael Blackmore brought a breakthrough year at jumping’s highest level to a fitting conclusion at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting in recent days, adding two more Grade One victories to a list that started only in March, with the 50-1 success of Minella Indo at the Cheltenham Festival.Blackmore now has half a dozen Grade One wins to her name – the same haul for the year as Paul Townend and Davy Russell, the only riders in front of her in the Irish title race – and is, beyond any argument, the...
Gordon Elliott finished clear of his major rivals with no fewer than four top-level wins while Epatante was the biggest market mover and is now clear favourite for the Champion HurdleAround 3% of the entire National Hunt programme for 2019 has been staged over the last four days, a blizzard of jumping that even the most dedicated of fans can struggle to track, not least when there is so much else going on besides. So, with the form from Kempton, Leopardstown, Chepstow, Newbury, Limerick and more now in the book, who were the big winners (and losers)? And with the first day of the Cheltenham Festival now just 10 weeks away, how many of this year’s winners will prove to...
The selection was racing in handicap company at Newbury last time but could not have been more impressive when coming 10 lengths clear and did so in a good timeA five-runner renewal of the Grade One Challow Hurdle at Newbury is likely to see Thyme Hill going off at odds-on to maintain his unbeaten record over hurdles but there are a couple of live dangers despite the small field.Enrilo rediscovered the winning thread at Sandown last time after a headstrong display at Ludlow but The Cashel Man (3.00) could prove to be the value here. He was racing in handicap company at Newbury last time but could not have been more impressive when coming 10 lengths clear and did so...
The selection’s superb fencing will help him and it is easy to imagine him outstaying most of these rivals in the straightThe King George VI Chase, more than any other major jumps race, achieves an impressive balance in demanding both speed and stamina from its contenders, making it tricky to choose between the claims of Cyrname and Lostintranslation, both tackling the race for the first time. But the impression remains that Cyrname did not want to go much further when he triumphed over Altior last month and the extra three furlongs he faces at Kempton will be a serious test for a headstrong animal.Some have questioned whether Lostintranslation (3.05) has the pace to cope well with a strongly run King...
From the outskirts of London to Ireland, Wales and then Cheltenham, racing has lots to look forward to this ChristmasIf you’re about to overdo yourself in appalling fashion at the dining table, the healthiest way to work it all off may be to chase along to Sunbury on Boxing Day for a little light exercise. The circuit from paddock to bookmakers to grandstand is bound to do some good, if repeated at half-hourly intervals, and there will be thrilling action on the track to lend renewed vigour to your circulation. Continue reading...