The Newmarket trainer generally makes hay in July and August. Plus tips for all Wednesday racesWe’re getting into a Sir Mark Prescott time of the year, July and August usually being the peak months for the Newmarket trainer. Indeed, it seems to me that in years gone by he barely used to have a runner before July, though he’s had almost 100 in 2017 so far. Related: Olly Murphy riding high as Britain’s newest trainer after quick double Continue reading...
Alarming posters about the risks of self-induced vomiting will soon be pasted up where jockeys can see themMale jockeys are 12 times more likely to have reduced bone density than the general population, a study by Oxford University has discovered. The details have been published today by racing’s ruling body as part of a concerted effort to improve wellbeing among riders. Related: Yanworth injection came 20 days before Champion Hurdle Continue reading...
After just four runners, it seems pretty clear that Olly Murphy knows exactly what he’s doing with a racehorseI’ll start today by drawing to your attention the emergence of an extremely sharp new trainer, Olly Murphy; so sharp, indeed, that he managed to cut himself at Market Rasen yesterday. The 25-year-old saddled his first two runners in a jumps race, saw them finish first and second at 16-1 and 9-2 but was then fined for withdrawing three other horses he had had in the race. Related: Swift compensation for Godolphin as Thunder Snow wins Prix Jean Prat Continue reading...
The Listed Gala Stakes can go to Ayrad (3.25), who ran an excellent race to finish fifth at Royal Ascot in JuneThe British Horseracing Authority will announce by noon today whether next Friday’s meeting at Musselburgh will be scrubbed from the calendar as a result of the infighting on the racecourse’s ruling committee, having extended a deadline of 5pm on Thursday after the committee’s chairman, Willie Innes, seemed to agree to hold an independent review of the way the council-owned track is run.“A number of caveats” in Innes’s pledge are currently being examined in High Holborn before the BHA decides whether to renew the track’s licence to stage racing, but this Friday’s racing programme is a useful diversion while we...
Highland Acclaim is the nap in the most valuable race (7.15) on the evening card at Epsom while Lunar Deity is the next best at Yarmouth (2.50)Epsom Downs racecourse makes a mark on the wider sporting public’s consciousness on one day each year but there are few better places to be on a fine summer evening than the home of the Derby, which stages a low-key six-race card on Thursday evening.As ever at this track, course form is a significant point in favour of any runner and Highland Acclaim (7.15) is consolidating his position at the top of the market for the most valuable race on the card after his main market rival, Major Pusey, was scratched on the morning...