John Burke

Morning all,

The feature race of the second day of Chester's May Festival is the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes (3.10), Albaflora, who was placed in three Group 1 races last season, heads the betting and any ease in the ground could make her hard to beat. There are also four competitive handicaps and the Listed Dee Stakes (2:40) on a seven-race card

Both today’s feature races are interesting and the Ormonde Stakes has managed to attract ten runners. Inside today’s main piece, I preview the big races on day two.

There was plenty of rain around at Chester yesterday and the going changed to soft after race two. It’s forecast to be mainly dry tomorrow but there could be more rain during racing on Friday.

Morning all, Yesterday’s selection Treacherous ran an ok sort of race to finish 5th at Windsor. Although he never looked like he was going to… Read More »Notebook Time & Norfolk National Selection

Morning all,

A fantastic few day’s of racing for both flat and jumps fans alike.  However, on Saturday & Sunday its was all about the first two Classics of the new flat season

Inside today’s main piece I look back on Guineas Weekend and the first two Classics.. Plus, you’ll find a Monday selection from Windsor.

James Doyle hasn’t had much look in the Classics, as he admitted on Saturday. Well, he made up for over the weekend. On Saturday he landed the Qipco 2,000 Guineas on Coroebus and then 24 hours later he landed the 1,000 Guineas on Cachet. It was a scintillating 2,000 Guineas with first four positions occupied by top class horses. The 1,000 Guineas produced a good race. However. I suspect overall it won’t prove to be a vintage renewal but as ever time will tell and I could be proved totally wrong again.

Morning all,

What a spectacular performance from Allaho to win the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup? He galloped his rivals into submission. He didn’t get any easy lead out in front either, as Clan Des Obaux kept him honest out in front. The runner-up ran a cracker and he was the only one to keep tabs with leader and held on for a gallant second. However, this was all about the winner. As he put a high-class field to the sword. 

Allaho proved he stayed 3m here but I suspect the extra two furlongs of a Gold Cup might prove more elusive but you never know with this long striding monster of a horse. His jumping at speed brings out mistakes from his rivals like we saw yesterday.

The best chaser in training? Yes, by some way!