John Burke

Morning all,

Our lass has tested positive for Covid. Thankfully it looks to be mild. I have cold like symptoms and I’m feeling a bit ropey but my two LFT’s are coming up negative. Although I have ordered a PCR test just to be on the safe side.

There are two cases going on involving the jockey room. One is the Freddie Tylicki £6m negligence claim in the High Court against fellow rider Graham Gibbons and of course the other is the Robbie Dunne hearing at the BHA. Both cases are not reflecting well on the weighing room.

The Dunne case has gone well beyond weight room banter. I think jockey’s need to take a hard look at themselves in the mirror. They seem to have let the sport down and very badly. Bullying and misogyny is just not acceptable and the weighing room has to get its act together and sharpish. Let’s hope this hearing leads to the sport dealing with those dishing out the abuse.

That’s the off-field activity out of the way. Back to another exciting weekend of jumps racing.

Morning all,

It was a frustrating Tuesday for me. Firstly, Virgin Media experienced technical issues which meant no broadband for me and at the time of writing on Tuesday evening there’s still no broadband. The estimated fix is now 2pm on Wednesday, mind you it was supposed to have been fixed by 4pm on Tuesday, so who knows.

I must admit Virgin Media haven’t been down as long and I have been with them for a long time. I had been meaning to buy a WIFI mini to use and this gave me the incentive to so. And, so far so good, it works which is the main thing.

Secondly, our lass tested positive on a Covid lateral flow test. The second was negative. However, to be on the safe side I drove her to a test centre to get a PCR test which fingers crossed will be negative. All in all, one of those days. But less of me. Back to the action on the track.

Inside today’s main piece. I begin my look ahead to weekend’s big race action and there’s plenty of it. The Saturday's Tingle Creek comes under the big race microscope. Plus, there’s a selection from the veterans chase at Haydock.

Morning all,

The front pages are dominated by the arrival of the Omicrom variant. Who knows what impact that will have on us in the coming weeks? However. one thing we have learnt in the past 18 months is not to second guess governments or indeed the virus in these crazy times. So, it’s a case of keep calm and hope for the best.

On the racing pages the big news yesterday was concerned Saturday’s Grade 1 Tingle Creek at Sandown. Last week’s news that Shishkin wouldn’t be running. Has now been replaced by the possibility of a clash between Nube Negra and Chacun Pour Soi. The latter is the 6/5 favourite with the sponsors Betfair with Nube Negra (2/1). Paul Nicholls will likely be represented by Greaneteen (7/2) and Hitman (20/1) in his bid for record breaking 12^th success in the race. More on that race and other weekend thoughts in tomorrow’s column.

Inside today main piece. You’ll find a handful horses that could be worth adding to the tracker from last weekend’s action. Plus, I have a selection from this afternoon’s meeting at Lingfield.

Morning all,

The Great British Weather struck with a vengeance at the weekend. Storm Arwen blew in and Bangor was cancelled on Saturday and Carlisle was lost frost on Sunday.

Despite the atrocious conditions Newcastle’s “Fighting Fifth” Day was able to take place. The weather wasn’t as bad at Newbury but the racing did take place in what can be described as real wintry weather.

It was a mixed back on the punting for me this weekend. I was on Aye Right in Newcastle’s Rehearsal Chase and if Fiddlerontheroof has got up in the in the Ladbrokes Trophy it would have been an excellent weekend At least Demachine did manage to grab 5^th in the same race so a profit was made on the day.

Inside today’s main piece. I’m looking back to the action from Newbury and Newcastle. Plus, there’s a Monday selection from Kempton.