John Burke

Good morning all,

The Craven meeting continues today with two Group 3s: the bet365 Earl of Sefton Stakes (3.00) and the Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes (3.35). In the latter contest C&D winner Saffron Beach takes on unbeaten filly Love Is You in a race which could provide punters with some 1,000 Guineas clues. There’s also the first of two days of competitive racing at Cheltenham.

Saturday’s two main meetings have been moved to Sunday as a mark of respect for Prince Philip who died on Friday aged 99. Which means the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr and the Newbury Guineas Trials at Newbury will now be run on Sunday. More on Sunday’s big races in tomorrow’s column.

Inside today’s main piece I’m looking at a handful of races at the Craven meeting. Plus, I have one for the tracker.

Good morning all,

After a history making Grand National, it’s back to more moderate fare today. However, it gets better as the week goes on with flat really starting in earnest this week.

Tomorrow see’s the start of the three Craven Meeting at Newmarket which for me is the real start of the flat season. I know it’s hard to believe but we are less than three weeks away from the Guineas Meeting. In addition to Craven Meeting on Saturday we have two Guineas Trials in the Greenham & Fred Darling Stakes at Newbury

Inside today’s main piece I have had a look back at the Grand National. Plus, I have had a look at a couple of races at Windsor & Redcar.

Good morning all,

It’s day one of the Aintree Grand National Festival. There’s a first sight of the National fences with the latest running of Foxhunters Chase, the competitive Red Rum Handicap Chase over 2m and the card concludes with an interesting mares’ only bumper, which sees the unbeaten Eileendover back in action after bypassing the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham.

Inside today’s main piece I have focused on the first four Grade 1 races on a seven-race card. You could argue that they aren’t true Grade 1’s in quality but they look competitive races nonetheless.

Good morning all,

We're just three days from the world’s most famous horse race. History has been written about the runners and riders who have gone onto success in the great race. The one thing they all share is an exciting combination of human effort and equine bravery.

From the triple-winning success of Red Rum, through to Aldaniti & Bob Champion and more recently double winning Tiger Roll, who sadly won’t be attempting the hat trick this year, there’s always a story to be told.

Granted the race isn’t the same as when the likes of Red Rum and Aldaniti were winning it. In 2013 several changes were made to the race to make the fences more ‘horse friendly’ and moving the start. However, I suspect for the casual viewer and the once-a-year punter they don't care about the changes. The thrilling spectacle of watching 40 runners, jump 30 fences over two circuits remains. Oh and that great feeling when you have picked the winner of the race.

Inside today’s main piece I’m going to look ahead to the National. Plus, I have an each way selection from Gowran Park.