John Burke

Good morning all,

We’re just one day away from the first day of Royal Ascot and final declarations for tomorrow are now out.

If the thought of 35 top class races doesn’t quicken the pulse, then nothing will. Even the additional races that have been added to the meeting would be the big betting races on a normal Saturday.  Granted finding a Ripon 6f winner pays out the same as the winner of the Wokingham but its hardly as satisfying.  

It’s going to be Royal Ascot all the way for me until Friday. Inside today’s main piece I have a couple of eyecatchers from York. Plus, I have a couple of Royal Ascot trainer stats and a selection from this evening’s meeting at Windsor.

Good morning all,

There was good news on Royal Ascot yesterday. As it was announced that ITV will cover every race live at next week’s Royal meeting. Its all part of what will be a five-hour show for each day of the meeting.  Unlike last year when the meeting was held behind closed doors, we will see 10,000 racegoers attend on each of the five days.

Let’s hope ITV achieve better viewing figures than what they got for last weekend’s Derby Festival where figures were down for both days compared to previous years.

Staying on the Royal Ascot theme.  Tomorrow I will be looking at five horses that are worth noting there next week.

Inside today’s main piece. I have a couple of ante post selections for Saturday for you.  Plus, I have a couple of fancies at this afternoon's Cork meeting.

Good morning all,

The Derby is the race that every flat owner, trainer, and jockey wants to win. Before the race most pundits had had opined that this year’s renewal was strong one and I don’t think they were wrong.

Inside today’s main piece I look back at flat racing’s ‘blue Riband' race. Plus, I have an eyecatcher from Saturday’s Epsom Derby Day card and a selection from this afternoon's meeting at Salisbury.

Good morning all,

The Derby Festival is one of my favourite meetings. Mainly because of the Oaks and of course the Derby. The handicaps on the undercard are normally competitive. Although I’m not sure they were this year.

Over the next couple of days, I will be looking at some of my personal highlights from the Cazoo Derby Festival.

Inside today’s main piece it’s day one and of course the Oaks that comes under the microscope. Plus, I have looked at couple of today’s races at Listowel & Gowran Park.