John Burke

Good morning all,

It’s hard to believe but it’s only eight weeks to the Cheltenham Festival. There has been plenty of talk of late that there may not be any runners from Ireland at the meeting. If that was the case Cheltenham would be the loser, that’s for sure, given that over 40% of the runners at last years festival came across the Irish Sea.

For what’s it worth I think the big trainers like Mullins and Elliott will have their horses in attendance. However, should either Covid-19 restrictions or Brexit see them not travel over, then it’s worth taking a looking at what the Championship races betting would like without the Mullins and Elliott stars and see if there are any value betting opportunities.

Inside the main piece I go through some of the contenders for Saturday’s Classic Chase at Warwick. Plus, I have a selection from Catterick.

Good morning all,

The first few weeks of January tend to be miserable on the quality front. Add in no crowds at racecourses and what looks like some bitterly cold weather lined up for most of this week. Things can only get better. You would hope so.  However, looming on the horizon is another national lockdown. A lockdown which could resemble what we had in the spring.

What does that mean for professional sport and of course horse racing? I think we should brace ourselves for the real possibility that the sport maybe taking another break. Fingers crossed my gloomy prognosis is wrong.

On the plus side we do have some good racing to look forward to this Saturday, weather permitting of course, with the re-scheduled Welsh Grand National at Chepstow. At Kempton it’s the Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle and in addition the Relkeel Hurdle moved from Cheltenham’s cancelled New Year’s Day fixture. Even Wincanton gets in on the act with Dipper Novices Chase, also from that Cheltenham meeting.

A great week of racing ended at Sandown on Saturday. Inside today’s main piece you can read my thoughts on a couple of races from that card. Plus, I have a selection from Fakenham.

Good morning all,

The sport now takes three days off in the run up to Boxing Day. It’s a case of the calm before the storm as we have some cracking racing to enjoy the next ten days or so. The highlights include; the King George VI Chase at Kempton, The Welsh Grand National at Chepstow and of course four days of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival. More on some of those big races in the Wednesday and Thursday columns.

Inside today’s main piece I have two for the tracker. Plus, I have a selection from Huntingdon. However, let's begin with a quick look at King George VI.

Good morning all,

Southwell is set to say goodbye to its fibresand surface. Inside the main piece you can read my thoughts on the decision. Plus, I have two for the tracker and a selection from Wincanton.