John Burke

Good morning all,

Inside today’s main piece I look ahead to the big weekend action. Plus, I have had a look at the action from this afternoon’s meeting at Carlisle where its Carlisle Bell Day. However, first a few thoughts on five-day Cheltenham Festival.

Good morning all,

In Monday’s column I gave you my four highlights from Saturday at Royal Ascot. Inside today’s main piece I focus on my two favourites of the five days. Plus, you’ll find three Royal Ascot horses for the tracker and I have looked at three races on this evening’s Newbury card.

Good morning all,

Royal Ascot is done and dusted for another year.  We’ve just had the privilege of watching five days of fantastic flat racing.  The likes of Poetic Flare, Oxted, Palace Pier, Love, Mohaafeth, Subjectivist, Point Lonsdale, Wonderful Tonight and Rohaan provided us with some seriously good performances last week.

It's probably recency bias at work but it was one of the best Royal Meetings of recent years. The handicaps were competitive and provided plenty of tough puzzles to solve. You can give yourself a well-deserved round of applause if you managed to come out in front. It was one of the toughest Ascot’s from a punting perspective.  I just made a small profit on the meeting but I will take it.

Over the next couple of days, I am going to look back at my Royal Ascot highlights and provide you with a few for the tracker.

Inside today’s main piece I’m looking back to Saturday’s action. Plus, I have a selection from Windsor.

Good morning all,

The weather is about to change big time over the next couple of days. If the weather forecasters are right Ascot could see as much as 60mm of rain up until Saturday. It’s going to make punting a bit of a nightmare. I would advise plenty of caution on the betting side over the next few days and wait until you know exactly how much rain has fallen.

The day two Royal Ascot highlight was Love’s win in the Prince Of Wales Stakes. Returning from a 300-day absence. There was surprisingly little confidence behind her in the market, despite Lord North being pulled out due to the fast ground she was allowed to go off at a very generous 11/10.

Making all, Love faced a big challenge from Audarya at the furlong mark but she found plenty for jockey Ryan Moore’s urgings to hold on for a decisive success.  The 1m 2f distance is probably on the short side for her and it will take a very good horse to lower her colours over 1m 4f.