Monday’s Boxing Day meeting at Kempton Park is set to be a memorable one. In the Long Walk Hurdle (Grade 1), last year’s winner, Champ, attempts to go back-to-back. Punters will be all over Constitution Hill in the Christmas Hurdle, and the King George Vi is quite a competitive race.
Today’s meeting at Sandown will witness the 43rd running of The Tingle Creek Chase, since it was renamed in 1979. Paul Blake looks ahead to today’s encounter. Formerly, the Benson and Hedges Gold Cup and then The Mecca Bookmakers’ Handicap Chase, the race was run 10 times before it eventually took on the name of the 1973 winner, Tingle Creek.… Read More »Stage set for a classic Tingle Creek renewal
Despite a soggy end to the week at Sandown on Sunday, two winners before the meeting was abandoned after three races, saw Paul Nicholls accrue thirteen winners in just seven days. The twelve time Champion Trainer is just three titles away from matching Martin Pipe’s record of fifteen.
Today’s card at Sandown has been abandoned after an inspection determined that there were issues with access for vetinary and medical vehicles in some parts of the course. Despite passing an inspection earlier in the day, a further 25mm of rain prompted a further inspection after the third race. Despite several hurdles and fences being deemed unsafe to jump, racing… Read More »Jump season opener at Sandown abandoned after just three races amid safety concerns
The odds on Inspiral to win the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Sponsored by Qipco) at Ascot (3.20) on Saturday may be as short as Evens today but this is far from a one horse race. The John and Thady Gosden trained filly comes into the race off an excellent win in Deauville. The Prix Du Haras De Fresnay Le Buffard Jacques… Read More »Queen Elizabeth II Stakes may be more open than some might believe
With two geldings in the race today, William Haggas is going all-out to be the first back-to-back winning trainer of the Listed Rockingham Stakes, in the 2.05 at York today. The Rockingham Stakes is a tough one to win. Just a quick glance down the honours board for the race reveals that no trainer, or jockey for that matter, has… Read More »William Haggas bids to become the first trainer to win back-to-back Rockingham Stakes at York today
The Old Rowley Cup was a real slog in the swirling wind and the outcome could have been anyone’s guess. First and second place went to Charlie Appleby and Godolphin. Pat Dobbs will no doubt be delighted that his mount, Al Nafir was able to see this out off a slightly generous 8 stone, 11 pounds. The principals in the… Read More »Al Nafir wins the Old Rowley Cup handicap at Newmarket
Midnight Mile came from the back of the field to pip Lose Yourself by a head on the line in the 2.25 on the Rowley Mile. The fillies race proved at least as exciting as the meeting opener. Lose Yourself looked for a good while like she would see out the race but the Richard Fahey filly had other ideas.… Read More »Oisin James Orr times his run on Midnight Mile to perfection to win the Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket
It’s a great weekend of action for the juvenile division, the feature of which will be Saturday’s Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket. The action got underway at Newmarket with success for trainer Johnathan Portman in the 1:50 at on the Rowley Mile, as Rumstar pulled off a convincing win off an SP of 9-1. This had the look of a… Read More »A bumper weekend of great juvenile action kicks off with victory for Rumstar in the Cornwallis Stakes at Newmarket
On the back of two novice wins over a mile, the John and Thady Gosden trained 3-year-old filly, Laurel, made an impressive step forward in finishing runner-up to Fonteyn in Grade 1 company for the first time at Newmarket today. Following up on a dominant display at Kempton Park 10 days ago, in only her third race, the bay filly… Read More »Laurel continues her improvement in Group 1 company at Newmarket