John Burke

Hi all,

With the Christmas excesses out of the way, we can now get stuck into some top-class jumps racing.

#The Boxing Day centrepiece is the King George VI Chase (2:30) at Kempton, which I look at in more detail below. It’s one of three Grade 1s on the card, alongside the Christmas Hurdle (1:55) and the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase (1:20). Over at Aintree, the Grade 1 Formby Hurdle (1:05) is the feature.

ITV Racing will show the best of the action from Kempton, plus the Formby Hurdle and the William Hill Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase (1:35) at Wetherby.

Final declarations were brought forward to Tuesday due to the Christmas holidays and, in truth, some of the field sizes are disappointing. Just five runners go to post for the Rowland Meyrick, while we’re also denied the anticipated Mydaddypaddy versus Act Of Innocence clash in the Formby Hurdle.

Here’s my look at the live ITV action.

Read More »Boxing Day ITV Races

Hi all,

Inside today’s main piece you’ll find my preview of Saturday’s Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow. I looked at the Boxing Day highlight, the King George VI Chase, in Tuesday’s column. Today, the focus switches to one of the season’s great staying handicap chases.

Read More »Coral Welsh Grand National Preview: Key Trends and Shortlist

Hi all,

Inside today’s main piece I’m recapping Saturday’s big-race action.

Read More »Ascot Review: Impose Toi Shines, Deep Cave Delivers

Hi all,

Ascot’s final fixture of 2025 is the perfect appetiser for the festive period and the busiest phase of the jumps season. ITV Racing are covering the final four races on the card and also head to Haydock for two contests, where the Betfred Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase (2:05) is the feature.

I’ve already sent my Saturday betting advice to subscribers, but here are my verdicts for the best of the ITV races. You can also read my preview of the Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase below.

Read More »Ascot & Tommy Whittle: Saturday Verdicts