John Burke

Morning all,

What a difference 7-days makes to the British weather. This time last week I was writing this column and it was sunny and 26 °C. Today it’s raining and 12 °C.  

Ok, so the racing this weekend isn’t as brilliant as it was last week. However, there’s plenty of competitive races for punters to get stuck into.

The Virgin Bet Ayr Gold Cup (3.40) is the big betting race of the week and the ante-post favourite is the Ed Walker trained Great Ambassador who won a Listed race at York earlier this month.

There’s a good supporting card of races including Virgin Bet Silver Cup (2:30). The Group 3 Virgin Bet Firth Of Clyde Fillies' Stakes (3:05) and the Listed Virgin Bet Doonside Cup (1:55).

ITV are covering five races from Ayr and four from Newbury. There are three Group races at Newbury the Group 2 Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes (2.50) and the Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes (2.15) and Dubai Duty Free Legacy Cup (4.00) both Group 3 contests.

There’s also an afternoon fixture at Newmarket, where the feature race is the Close Brothers Cesarewitch Trial Handicap (3:15).  Catterick, Gowran Park and Wolverhampton complete Saturday’s action.

Inside today’s main piece I look at Saturday’s Ayr Gold Cup. Plus, I put today’s two Listed races under the microscope. 

Read More »Sandown Selection

Morning all,

Inside today’s main piece. I conclude my look at Irish Champions Weekend by focusing on the two juvenile Group 1 races held at the Curragh on Sunday. Both races were personal triumph for me as I tipped up both winners for Victor Value subscribers. You’ll also find three horses from last weeks Doncaster St Leger Festival. Hopefully all three can win races in the final weeks of the flat season. Plus, I have a selection from this afternoon's meeting at Punchestown.

Read More »Tracker Tuesday & Punchestown Selection

Morning all,

What a fantastic weekend of racing. If you didn’t get excited by all the great action, then you never will. Granted if I hadn’t had two profitable days, shared with Victor Value subscriber, then perhaps I wouldn’t be so effusive in praise for what I saw over the weekend.

On Saturday the St Leger was won by the favourite Hurricane Lane. Meanwhile across the Irish Sea dramatic and exciting finishes were the order of the day on day one of Irish Champions Day at Leopardstown. The most notable of them was the performance of St Mark’s Basilica in winning the Irish Champions Stakes at Leopardstown.

Inside today’s main piece you can read my thoughts on Saturday’s St Leger, the Irish Champion Stakes and also the defeat of The Queen’s Reach For The Moon in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster.

In Tuesday column’s I will look back at the two big juvenile Group 1’s run at the Curragh on Sunday.

Its back to moderate fare on Monday but I have a selection from this evening’s meeting at Kempton.

Read More »Kempton Selection & Weekend Review

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