John Burke

Hi all,

Ascot’s final fixture of 2025 is the perfect appetiser for the festive period and the busiest phase of the jumps season. ITV Racing are covering the final four races on the card and also head to Haydock for two contests, where the Betfred Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase (2:05) is the feature.

I’ve already sent my Saturday betting advice to subscribers, but here are my verdicts for the best of the ITV races. You can also read my preview of the Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase below.

Hi all,

The Howden Christmas Racing Weekend gets underway at Ascot this afternoon. The feature is the Grade 2 Howden Noel Novices’ Chase (3:00), a race previously won by the likes of Djelo, Pic D'Orhy, Politologue and Simonsig. The card concludes with a potentially informative Listed bumper (3:35).

Inside today’s main piece, I’m focusing solely on Ascot.

Hi all,

Inside today’s main piece I’m looking at Saturday’s Howden Silver Cup Handicap Chase at Ascot. It’s the first of two Premier Handicaps on the Ascot card. I covered the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle in yesterday’s column.

Hi all,

Inside today’s main piece I’m previewing Saturday’s Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle at Ascot.