John Burke

Morning all, Like most racegoers I want the ground to be as quick as possible for the Group 1 Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes (3.35).… Read More »York Ebor Festival – Day 3

Morning all,

The final declarations for day one of the Ebor Festival came out yesterday. Four day’s fiendishly competitive racing to look forward to. What’s not to like? I’m excited and hopefully you are to.

The Ebor Festival is last of the big summer Festival’s and without doubt the best in terms of quality after Royal Ascot. I’m biased of course. Given it’s one of my local tracks and I plan to be there on Friday.

With the heatwave fading away on Monday so comes the rain. How much though? Hit-and-miss thunderstorms are hard to predict and that’s what being forecast for Monday & Tuesday. The forecasters can’t agree either. One I use is predicting as much as much 13mm on Monday and Tuesday. Others much less.

The going at York was being described on Monday morning as good to firm, good in places. Depending on which forecast you go with, and I’m inclined to go with those that expect York to miss most of the heavy stuff there shouldn’t be too much change in the present going on Wednesday. Although farmers and gardeners around the country are in desperate need of the wet stuff, I’m hoping the first couple of days are run on the forecast going.

Inside today’s main piece you can read my thoughts on the festival and how I will be approaching it. Plus, there’s a few, hopefully profitable stats.

Read More »York Ebor Festival Preview

Morning all,

Ascot hosts its annual Shergar Cup this afternoon.  Seven of the eight races at the Shergar Cup are being broadcast live on ITV as part of a bumper 11 race programme.  One of those 11 is the race of the day the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (4.15) at the Curragh. ITV are also covering two races from Haydock and one from Newmarket this afternoon.

Inside today’s main piece you’ll find my Saturday Preview, a selection from the Curragh and a go at the Ascot Placepot.

Read More »Saturday Preview

Morning all,

Sprint handicaps don’t come much more competitive than the Coral Goodwood Stewards Cup (3:20).

One of the biggest betting races of the flat season. If ever a race perfectly fitted the description “cavalry charge” it’s the Stewards Cup with 28 runners charging down downhill towards the winning post.

You can see why a bookmaker would want to sponsor the headline race of the final of the Qatar Goodwood Festival.

Inside today’s main piece I look at the Stewards Cup and you’ll find my Goodwood placepot picks.

Read More »Qatar Goodwood Festival – Day 5