John Burke

Good morning all,

Glorious weather and glorious racing. However, it was still a surreal experience given the lack of racegoers at Goodwood last week.  Watching the Galway Festival unfold was even stranger.  That’s one racing festival that is as much about the craic and the social as the horse racing.

In today’s main piece.  I will be looking back at my highlight performances from ‘Glorious’ Goodwood, spectators returning to British racecourses and I have a selection from Naas.

Good morning all,

A shorter column than I had expected due to Wifi problems where I am at the moment.

As I mentioned yesterday, Wednesday’s for the foreseeable future will be when I look at the weekend’s big races to try to identify some ante post value. Plus I have an each way selection from Kempton for you.

Good morning all,

Given we are living times where social distancing is the norm, it was appropriate that this years Derby should provide no finer example of the term in action.

You can read my thoughts on Saturday’s Derby and the Oaks in the main piece. Plus, you will also find Monday's tip which runs at Ayr.

Good morning all,

The flat season has finally started and I’m still trying to get my head around the fact the first two Classics have been run, albeit a month by schedule, in the first week of the sports resumption.

Racing behind closed doors seemed to go without any major hitches.  It still seems strange to see the parade rings devoid of connections, never mind empty stands. But at least it’s happening which is the important thing.

Not sure what the older horses make of it all. They must be wondering where the crowd and the all the noise is. We know that horses are intelligent animals and I’m sure some get some extra energy from the excitement of a big race day crowd. On the other side of the coin, those horses of a more nervous dispensation could put in a better performance due to the lack of pre-race ‘buzz'.

Inside today’s piece I’m going to take a look back at both Classics. Oh, and I have also taken a look at Monday’s action.