John Burke

Good morning all,

Crowds are back on UK racecourses this afternoon. The racing isn’t exactly stellar this afternoon/evening but for the lucky few who have got a ticket for Ludlow, Haydock, Lingfield or Kempton that won’t matter. It’s a day out at the races for them and it’s a long time since people have been able to do that.

It’s going to be anything but normal. The COVID-19 security will be tight. You won’t be able to drink alcohol unless your having a “substantial meal”. However, in the great scheme of things all that doesn’t matter for the now. All that does is spectators at sport are back. It’s limited numbers for sure but at least we take the first tentative steps back to normality.

How long it will last?

I suspect that the COVID-19 story which has had more twists than your average Tales of the Unexpected episode, isn’t over just yet. I hope I’m wrong.  

Inside today’s main piece I look ahead to Saturday’s Becher Chase at Aintree. Plus, I have a selection from Haydock.

Read More »Haydock Fancies & Becher Chase Preview

Good morning all,

Cloth Cap & Impact Factor did the business for me at Newbury and Fairyhouse respectably. The first time cheekpieces really worked on Cloth Cap who jumped better than he has ever done when making all to win the Ladbroke Trophy.

Ok, the race didn’t contain a Denman or a Bobs Worth but Cloth Cap got a great ride from Tom Scudamore. I’m glad I kept the faith in the 8-year-old who always had a decent handicap chase pot in him when he got decent ground.

Meanwhile across the Irish Sea Impact Factor defied 576-day absence to win the big handicap chase at Fairyhouse.  He got into a great jumping rhythm from the off and showed he was on a winnable mark for his handicap chase debut.

More on the Ladbroke Trophy and also Champion Hurdle heroine Epatante'd return to action inside the main piece. Plus, I have a selection from Ayr.

Read More »Weekend Thoughts & Ayr Fancies

Good morning all,

Inside today’s main piece you can read my thoughts on the flat season just ended, a veteran who rolled back the years at Aintree on Saturday and the return of Kim Bailey to jumps top table. Plus, I have a selection from Kempton.

Read More »Weekend Review & Kempton Fancies

Good morning all,

It’s that time in the week when my thoughts turn to the upcoming weekend action.

ITV are televising nine races on Saturday and its jumps action all the way. There are four races from Wetherby, where the feature race is the Grade 2 Charlie Hall Chase, and four potentially competitive handicaps at Ascot. As a bonus they will also be showing the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Chase from Down Royal.  

The going is good to soft at Wetherby and also good to soft at Ascot. There looks like there will be showers at both venues between now and race day and maybe some more prolonged rain at Wetherby on Thursday. It’s probably best to work on the assumption that the going will be on the soft side of good on Saturday at best.

The bookmakers have priced up seven of this Saturday's races and over the next two days I’m going to look at some of them.

Inside the main piece you find my thoughts on three races. Plus, I have selection running today at Punchestown.

Read More »Weekend Thoughts – Part 1