John Burke

Good morning all,

The 2020-21 NH season is coming to an end. We have three-days at Perth’s for their April meeting and on Saturday the curtain comes down on the British season with Sandown staging the Bet365 Gold Cup.

Over the Irish Sea, the Irish NH season ends with a bang and five days of high-class action at the Punchestown Festival.

Inside today’s main piece I have some Perth pointers. Plus, I have got a couple for the tracker from Newbury and two early season juveniles who can build on promising racecourse debuts.

Read More »Perth Pointers

Good morning all,

I paid my first visit to restaurant/bar since December after racing yesterday.  A four-month break it could be a new record for me. Dare one say, it seemed ‘almost’ normal. All in all, it was a perfect end to a week of excellent and informative racing.

Yesterday we had probably the best Sunday’s racing you will see this side of the Irish Sea all summer. All due to the funeral of Prince Philip on the Saturday rather than any astute race planning.

On Sunday it was the best of both codes. At Newbury we had Guineas Trial’s Day. However, the weekend’s big betting race was the Coral Scottish Grand National.

Over the next few days, I am going to look back at events at Newmarket’s Craven Meeting and two days at Newbury. It will include a few early season juveniles who caught the eye and can win races in the coming weeks.

Inside today’s main piece I’m looking back at yesterday’s action. Plus, I have a selection from this afternoon’s fixture at Pontefract.  

Read More »Pontefract Selection

Good morning all,

The Craven meeting continues today with two Group 3s: the bet365 Earl of Sefton Stakes (3.00) and the Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes (3.35). In the latter contest C&D winner Saffron Beach takes on unbeaten filly Love Is You in a race which could provide punters with some 1,000 Guineas clues. There’s also the first of two days of competitive racing at Cheltenham.

Saturday’s two main meetings have been moved to Sunday as a mark of respect for Prince Philip who died on Friday aged 99. Which means the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr and the Newbury Guineas Trials at Newbury will now be run on Sunday. More on Sunday’s big races in tomorrow’s column.

Inside today’s main piece I’m looking at a handful of races at the Craven meeting. Plus, I have one for the tracker.

Read More »Newmarket Craven Meeting – Day 2

Good morning all,

After a history making Grand National, it’s back to more moderate fare today. However, it gets better as the week goes on with flat really starting in earnest this week.

Tomorrow see’s the start of the three Craven Meeting at Newmarket which for me is the real start of the flat season. I know it’s hard to believe but we are less than three weeks away from the Guineas Meeting. In addition to Craven Meeting on Saturday we have two Guineas Trials in the Greenham & Fred Darling Stakes at Newbury

Inside today’s main piece I have had a look back at the Grand National. Plus, I have had a look at a couple of races at Windsor & Redcar.

Read More »Grand National Review & Redcar Selection