Altesse De Guye (2.30) made a very promising start over fences last time and will have what it takes to land the novice handicap chase at TauntonThe loss of Haydock Park’s meeting on Friday to frost leaves a big hole in the day’s programme, as the top-class Buveur D’Air was due to line up for his second start over fences amid a series of competitive and fascinating events, but the meeting at Taunton incudes a Listed event for mares and that has survived an inspection while Newcastle also pulls its weight with an eight-race Flat card on the Tapeta.Coillte Lass (3.00) could be the answer to the Listed event for mares at Taunton. Paul Nicholls’s mare is two-from-two in novice...
Ireland’s champion trainer Willie Mullins should take at least one of the main events on the final afternoon of the Christmas meeting with Nichols Canyon (2.30)Outlander finally snapped Willie Mullins’s winning streak in the Grade One races at Leopardstown this week in the Lexus Chase on Wednesday, but Ireland’s champion trainer should take at least one of the main events on the final afternoon of the meeting, which would leave him with five out of seven Grade Ones in just four days.Mullins’s brilliant hurdler Faugheen, the 2015 Champion Hurdle winner, was entered for Thursday’s Ryanair Hurdle but did not make it past the final declaration stage. He has a very able deputy, however, in Nichols Canyon (2.30), who will start...
The broadcaster takes over the television coverage in 2017 – but mostly on ITV4, no one’s first port of call unless they are really obsessed with Ironside and MinderI expect to spend both Monday and Tuesday afternoon with a group of old sporting friends. Most of them I will never see again. The following week another crowd will be there instead – and they will not be spending time paying tribute to their predecessors. Related: Disqualified jockey James McDonald released from Godolphin contract Continue reading...
Had the BHA got its way none of us would have any idea that a deal had been done in a case of one man’s word against anotherAs the Jim Best case breathes its last after a year of legal debate and as racing’s ruling body admits it has blown a six-figure sum through its failure to provide a demonstrably fair hearing at the first attempt, it is instructive to see the first concern for some people is the penalty given to the trainer. The British Horseracing Authority has lost a significant chunk of the sport’s money by persisting in an avoidable mistake and there are several worrying aspects to the way it has pursued this case, but the main...
Kerry Lee might be in for a big day at Bangor, with Magic Mustard and Krackatoa KingIt’s the last day’s racing before Christmas and very enjoyable I hope it will be, although it looks pretty tricky. I certainly wouldn’t recommend it as a vehicle for heroic punting, in case there’s anyone out there who thinks they can get back the present money at Bangor on Dee. Continue reading...