John Burke

Good morning all,

I can’t get away without mentioning that picture. A picture everyone hoped had been photo-shopped.  Sadly, it hadn't, it was all too real.

Gordon Elliott sitting on a dead horse like it was chaise longue sickened and appalled me. As I’m sure it did all right-minded people who love the sport of horse racing. Indeed I have struggled to get that sick and callous picture out my head today.

You can read my thoughts on the Gordon Elliott saga inside today’s main piece. Plus, I have had look at my Cheltenham ante post portfolio and I have a selection from Gowran Park.

Read More »Racing's Biggest Nightmare & Gowran Park Selection

Hi all,

Down Royal was another jumps meeting lost to the weather yesterday and today’s cards at Catterick and Wincanton have already bitten the dust. Thursday’s Wetherby fixture is subject to Wednesday morning inspection and it seems unlikely we’ll see racing at the West Yorkshire track.

Warmer weather is on the way though although it may turn a bit colder on Saturday. The improved temperatures are coming just in time for Saturday’s Cheltenham Trial’s Day and Doncaster’s Sky Bet Handicap Chase meeting.

It’s a seven-race card for Trial’s Day and four of the races are being covered live by ITV. The broadcaster will also be covering three races from Doncaster, as part of a seven race programme, including the Sky Bet Chase.

Inside today’s main piece I’m looking at some of Saturday’s big races. Plus, I have a selection from Thurles.

Read More »Wednesday Selections & Cheltenham Trial's Day

Good morning all,

I have to say Charlie Deutsch is riding with great confidence. That was exemplified by his winning ride on yesterday’s selection Don Herbager at Exeter.

Don Herbager is just an old-fashioned plodder and Deutsch didn’t panic when his mount seemed to lose his place at the 10th.  Instead, he just allowed the horse to find his feet and stay on resolutely for the win.

The weather outside is frightful and it doesn’t look like it’s going to get better before the weekend.  Haydock’s Saturday card which is due to be covered by ITV and features four Grade 2 races, including the Peter Marsh Chase is in doubt. The ground is already heavy and more rain is forecast. In addition, colder weather is being forecast for later in the week and possibly snow. It’s hard to see the meeting going ahead which is a big shame.

Hopes are good for Ascot. The going there is currently soft but they are expecting up to an inch of rain in the next few days so the ground is likely to be heavy come race day. ITV are also covering one race from Taunton, part of an eight-race programme, so would assume they will cover more races from the Somerset track in the likely event of Haydock not racing.

Inside today’s main piece I’m looking ahead to Saturday’s Ascot card. Plus, I look at today’s action from Newbury but first a few words on Charles Byrnes.

Read More »Newbury Selection & Clarence House Chase

Good morning all,

Glorious weather and glorious racing. However, it was still a surreal experience given the lack of racegoers at Goodwood last week.  Watching the Galway Festival unfold was even stranger.  That’s one racing festival that is as much about the craic and the social as the horse racing.

In today’s main piece.  I will be looking back at my highlight performances from ‘Glorious’ Goodwood, spectators returning to British racecourses and I have a selection from Naas.

Read More »Goodwood highlights and Naas tip