John Burke

Morning all,

Bobby On The Beat was disappointing yesterday but Small Print was returned a very generous 17/2.  From a value perspective I couldn’t have her at the morning prices but hopefully some of you got on before the off.

As a slight aside. I noticed it was trainer David Bridgewater's birthday and of course he had a winner at Ffos Las. Maybe we over complicate things. Just concentrate on trainers with a birthday with runners that day. Mind you it wouldn't be as much fun or much of a challenge.

Inside today’s main piece. I begin my “Path To Cheltenham” series. Plus, I have selection from Chepstow,

Morning all,

If there's one month in the year that I don’t like its January. The Christmas and New Year festivities are behind and all we have to look forward to is miserable weather and some of the shortest days of the year.

It probably doesn’t help that the racing isn’t that great at this time of year either. From the Paddy Power meeting through to all the Christmas action. The big races just keep coming. Sadly, that’s not really the case this month

This weekend the big races are at Sandown. Where its Tolworth Hurdle Day. Besides the Grade 1 Unibet Tolworth Novices' Hurdle (2:25). We also have the final of the 2021 Veterans Chase Series (3:00). The ITV cameras are covering four races from Sandown and four from Wincanton as part of an eight-race programme.

Inside today’s main piece I’m looking ahead to Sandown and the Veterans' Series Final. Plus, there’s a selection from Kempton’s tea time card.

Morning all,

I have to say the festive action was pretty good. Chock-full of high-class racing and top flight performances.

We’ll all have our own favourites for me it’s got to be Shishkin’s winning return at Kempton and of course Galopin Des Champs successful chase debut at Leopardstown.  The way Willie Mullins talked about the 6-year-old after his win last week. Tells you all you need to know about the horse. He was one of the exciting novice chase prospects we have seen in recent years.

The bookies think so to as he’s a best priced 7/4 for the Festival Novices Chase at Cheltenham and favourite with some bookies for the 2023 Gold Cup.

Inside today’s main piece I have four horses form the Christmas period that are worth adding to your trackers. Plus, I have a selection from Hereford.

Morning all,

A Happy New Year to all of you. It’s hard to know what 2022 will bring. We can only hope that its better than the previous two years.

The stark difference’s how England, Wales & Scotland are handling the virus have been evident in the last week. Last Monday’s Welsh Grand National was held behind closed doors. On Saturday Musselburgh’s popular New Year’s Day meeting was also held without any paying spectators in attendance.  Meanwhile In England, free from restrictions for now, Cheltenham saw its biggest crowd outside the festival.  What a contrast between the three countries.

It's a Bank Holiday today but you wouldn't think so looking at today's cards. I appreciate we have had plenty of racing over the last week or so but this poor fare to offer on a day when many will be off work.

Inside today’s main piece I look back at four of the weekend’s big performances. Plus, I have selection from this afternoon’s fixture at Southwell.