John Burke

Good morning all,

Finger’s crossed the weather gods do seem to be playing ball with jumps racing at least for now. The snow close to Wetherby is melting quickly, but there's an inspection on Friday morning and it could be all-hurdles card at the West Yorkshire track,

There's cold weather on the way but Musselburgh should be fine.  Sandown should also be able to race on Saturday but all the hurdle races were cancelled and it will be an all-chase card. I’m a shade disappointed that the Grade 3 handicap hurdle has had to be abandoned, as I had a fancy in the race. However, better some racing than none.

It’s a feast of Grade 1’s for racing fans on day two of the Dublin Racing Festival on Sunday. The feature race is the Irish Gold Cup (3.40). At Musselburgh it’s Scottish Cheltenham Trials Day and you can see the best of the action from both tracks in ITV’s bumper ten race programme.

Inside today’s main piece I have had a look at two of the Sunday races from the Leopardstown. Plus, I have a couple of fancies at Wincanton.

Read More »Wincanton Selection & Dublin Racing Festival Preview – Part 2

Hi all,

Down Royal was another jumps meeting lost to the weather yesterday and today’s cards at Catterick and Wincanton have already bitten the dust. Thursday’s Wetherby fixture is subject to Wednesday morning inspection and it seems unlikely we’ll see racing at the West Yorkshire track.

Warmer weather is on the way though although it may turn a bit colder on Saturday. The improved temperatures are coming just in time for Saturday’s Cheltenham Trial’s Day and Doncaster’s Sky Bet Handicap Chase meeting.

It’s a seven-race card for Trial’s Day and four of the races are being covered live by ITV. The broadcaster will also be covering three races from Doncaster, as part of a seven race programme, including the Sky Bet Chase.

Inside today’s main piece I’m looking at some of Saturday’s big races. Plus, I have a selection from Thurles.

Read More »Wednesday Selections & Cheltenham Trial's Day

Good morning all,

We have a rare midweek treat this week with the Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase and Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park on Thursday.

We have already lost today’s Kelso meeting to the weather and there are doubts about Down Royal racing which could leave us with just all-weather action at Southwell and Wolverhampton.

Inside today’s main piece. I’m looking at the form of the Colin Tizzard yard, he retirement of David Mullins and the ongoing Irish doping scandal.  Plus, I complete my Saturday round-up with a look at Drashel Dasher’s win at Ascot and I have two for the tracker.  Oh, and there’s a selection from Wolverhampton.

Read More »Tuesday Selection

Good morning all,

I have to say Charlie Deutsch is riding with great confidence. That was exemplified by his winning ride on yesterday’s selection Don Herbager at Exeter.

Don Herbager is just an old-fashioned plodder and Deutsch didn’t panic when his mount seemed to lose his place at the 10th.  Instead, he just allowed the horse to find his feet and stay on resolutely for the win.

The weather outside is frightful and it doesn’t look like it’s going to get better before the weekend.  Haydock’s Saturday card which is due to be covered by ITV and features four Grade 2 races, including the Peter Marsh Chase is in doubt. The ground is already heavy and more rain is forecast. In addition, colder weather is being forecast for later in the week and possibly snow. It’s hard to see the meeting going ahead which is a big shame.

Hopes are good for Ascot. The going there is currently soft but they are expecting up to an inch of rain in the next few days so the ground is likely to be heavy come race day. ITV are also covering one race from Taunton, part of an eight-race programme, so would assume they will cover more races from the Somerset track in the likely event of Haydock not racing.

Inside today’s main piece I’m looking ahead to Saturday’s Ascot card. Plus, I look at today’s action from Newbury but first a few words on Charles Byrnes.

Read More »Newbury Selection & Clarence House Chase