Bravemansgame, Britain’s best staying chaser, has been cleared to run at the Punchestown Festival this weekBravemansgame, Britain’s best staying chaser, has been cleared to run at the Punchestown Festival on Wednesday after Bryan Drew, who previously owned the eight-year-old in partnership with John Dance, bought Dance’s 50% share in a deal approved by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The FCA ordered WealthTek LLP, Dance’s financial services business which also traded as Vertem Asset Management, to cease all activity earlier this month, and has since placed the firm into special administration.Bravemansgame, the runner-up behind Galopin Des Champs in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham in March, was declared to run in Drew’s name in the Bowl at Aintree’s Grand National meeting on...
Jockey rode 8-1 favourite Corach Rambler to glory at Aintree but the race will be remembered for all the drama before itOn a day when the drama and danger of the world’s most famous steeplechase appeared to purr in perfect synchronicity, two moments quickly became burnt into the memory. The stillness of Derek Fox’s riding amidst the mayhem of a Grand National even more brazenly chaotic than usual before sending 8-1 favourite Corach Rambler into glory. But also the extraordinary sight of dozens of animal rights activists using ladders to climb into Aintree’s grounds, trying not only to sabotage the race, but the hearts and minds of those watching too.For anyone who sits uneasily on the fence when it comes...
A horse with proven Grade One-winning quality, could have too much class for British rivals Le Milos and Our PowerHeavy rain on Friday on ground that had been watered overnight resulted in the official going on the Grand National course changing to soft – from good-to-soft – and while a better day is in prospect on Saturday, the big race still promises to be more of a test than seemed likely when the field was finalised on Thursday.This is, of course, the winter game, and soft ground will not come as a shock to the majority of the 40 runners. But it does raise an additional question mark about those whose ability to produce their best form – or even...
Selection is a course-and-distance who acquitted himself well in stronger company in the Winter DerbyThe past three favourites for the Betway Easter Classic, the feature event of the All-Weather Finals card at Newcastle on Good Friday, have started at odds-on, but the latest renewal is more competitive despite attracting just half a dozen runners and there is at least a fair case to be made for all six.It is equally possible to pick holes in the form of most of the field, for the most part because either the trip or the Tapeta surface is not certain to see them at their best. The one horse with cast-iron credentials is the likely favourite, Forest Of Dean (3.00). Continue reading...
John Quinn’s five-year-old was an improved performer in the second half of 2022 and can triumph in the LincolnWilliam Haggas managed to get Adeyybb, the 2020 Champion Stakes winner, into the 2018 Lincoln off a mark of 99, so Al Mubhir, another lightly-raced four-year-old who progressed steadily at three, will be on most shortlists for Saturday’s renewal of the historic Doncaster handicap that launches the new Flat season on turf.He is just one among at least six or seven runners with a similar profile, however, including Awaal, Wanees and Croupier, any one of which could find the necessary improvement to win, while the likelihood of testing ground is another concern for lightly raced runners first time up this season. Continue...