John Burke

Morning all,

Our lass has tested positive for Covid. Thankfully it looks to be mild. I have cold like symptoms and I’m feeling a bit ropey but my two LFT’s are coming up negative. Although I have ordered a PCR test just to be on the safe side.

There are two cases going on involving the jockey room. One is the Freddie Tylicki £6m negligence claim in the High Court against fellow rider Graham Gibbons and of course the other is the Robbie Dunne hearing at the BHA. Both cases are not reflecting well on the weighing room.

The Dunne case has gone well beyond weight room banter. I think jockey’s need to take a hard look at themselves in the mirror. They seem to have let the sport down and very badly. Bullying and misogyny is just not acceptable and the weighing room has to get its act together and sharpish. Let’s hope this hearing leads to the sport dealing with those dishing out the abuse.

That’s the off-field activity out of the way. Back to another exciting weekend of jumps racing.

Read More »Becher Chase Preview and Wincanton Selection

Morning all,

It was a frustrating Tuesday for me. Firstly, Virgin Media experienced technical issues which meant no broadband for me and at the time of writing on Tuesday evening there’s still no broadband. The estimated fix is now 2pm on Wednesday, mind you it was supposed to have been fixed by 4pm on Tuesday, so who knows.

I must admit Virgin Media haven’t been down as long and I have been with them for a long time. I had been meaning to buy a WIFI mini to use and this gave me the incentive to so. And, so far so good, it works which is the main thing.

Secondly, our lass tested positive on a Covid lateral flow test. The second was negative. However, to be on the safe side I drove her to a test centre to get a PCR test which fingers crossed will be negative. All in all, one of those days. But less of me. Back to the action on the track.

Inside today’s main piece. I begin my look ahead to weekend’s big race action and there’s plenty of it. The Saturday's Tingle Creek comes under the big race microscope. Plus, there’s a selection from the veterans chase at Haydock.

Read More »Tingle Time and Veterans Lad

Morning all,

For punters of a certain age. The Ladbroke Trophy will always be known as the ‘Hennessey Gold Cup’. Whatever you call it. The race remains one of those most iconic handicap chases of the winter season. It’s the highlight of Newbury’s two-day Winter Carnival which gets underway on Friday.

They have been watering at Newbury Clerk of the Course Keith Ottesen is quoted in the Racing Post as saying: “The ground is naturally properly good to soft at the moment and I don't see it drying out, so there are no ground concerns in terms of it being quick”

Taking that comment at face value. Then it should be nice jumping ground, especially so if the rain does arrive on Saturday. No excuses ground unless you want the mud that is.  

Fingers crossed the ground is deemed suitable for the horses still entered at the five-day stage. If it is then we’re set for some great action.

Inside today’s column I look at some of the key trends and contenders for the Ladbrokes Trophy. Plus, there’s a Wednesday selection at the bottom of the piece.

Read More »Ladbroke Trophy Preview

Morning all,

The dry spell of weather has seen some small field sizes across the Britain and that continued yesterday. Normally at this time of year the soft-ground horses would have made their first starts of the winter campaign but they haven’t had their conditions in the last six weeks. Clearly this situation will change and likely enough when the rain does finally arrive it won’t stop and we’ll be concerned about waterlogged tracks. Until it arrives, we can expect small field sizes to remain the order of the day. Looking at the short term forecast there doesn’t look like there’s going to be a lot of the wet stuff until next month.

Inside today’s main piece I have three for the tracker. Plus, I have a selection from Wolverhampton.

Read More »Tracker Tuesday