John Burke

Morning all,

Well, I came off the cold list with Dubai Days success at Ayr yesterday. I was beginning to wonder when I would next provide the column with a winner. That’s one monkey off my back. Dubai Day’s victory was the third of three winners on the day for trainer Nick Alexander who has his horses in cracking form at present.

Racing Behind Closed Doors Again

There was bad news for racing. The Welsh Government announced yesterday that spectators are banned from all indoor, outdoor, professional and sports events in Wales from 26 December. This means the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow on December 27^th will once again be run behind closed doors. I suspect you’re more likely to catch Omicron variant down the local Tesco than outside in the Monmouthshire countryside.

Hot on the heels of that news. The Scottish Government announced a cap of 500 spectators at sporting events from December 27^th which will last for three weeks.  

Musselburgh’s New Year’s Days fixture will be held behind closed doors. As the racecourse said having 500 spectators wasn’t viable and only annual members, owners, trainers, and staff will be in attendance.

For now, England seems to be holding off adding more restrictions. How long that situation will last is any one’s guess. I fear the sport faces an uncertain few weeks which could run into months.  I hope I’m wrong. The only positive is that racing will at least take place, even if it is behind closed doors.

Read More »Christmas Crackers – Part 1

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.

Read More »Becher Chase Preview and Wincanton Selection

Morning all,

The dry and warm spell of weather is coming to an end with thundery showers forecast for today and tomorrow although Saturday could be mostly dry.

The St Leger Festival tends to be a slow burner with the quality of racing improving each day. It’s fair to say today’s seven race card is of better quality than day one.

The ITV cameras are covering five races on the second day of the St Leger meeting plus the jump jockeys Derby at Epsom. The feature races at Doncaster are the Group 2 May Hill Stakes (2.40). Where next year's 1,000 Guineas ante post favourite Inspiral will be odds on to maintain her unbeaten record. The other feature race is the Group 2 Park Hill Fillies' Stakes (3.15).

Inside today's main piece you can read my thoughts on the Doncaster races being covered by ITV.

Read More »Doncaster St Leger Festival – Day 2

Good morning all, It’s a Bank Holiday today. Well, it is if you’re in England & Wales. Indeed, it’s the last holiday until Boxing Day… Read More »Saturday Review & Bank Holiday Racing