Morning all,

All things York today. It’s day two at York’s Dante Festival which looks set to provide more Derby clues with the latest running of the Dante Stakes (3.35). Last year’s race was won by the eventual Derby third Hurricane Lane and this renewal looks strong.

The Group 2 Middleton Fillies’ Stakes (2.25) and the Listed Westow Stakes (4.10) add more quality to an interesting card.

Inside today’s main piece I look back at some of the highlights of day one at York. Plus, I preview the best of today’s action at the track.

It's the first meeting of the new jumps season at Cheltenham tonight (there's a pub quiz question for you) and whilst the track might not want to call it Hunter Chase Evening anymore (it's marketed as “Race Night”) those of us of a certain vintage only know it as one thing.

Now, my knowledge of the hunters is limited but you'll be delighted to hear I've brought in my good friend and top point-to-point commentator Will Bowler to give you his thoughts on the card. I'll interject when I've something vital to say, which isn't often.

Read on…

Morning all,

What a spectacular performance from Allaho to win the Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup? He galloped his rivals into submission. He didn’t get any easy lead out in front either, as Clan Des Obaux kept him honest out in front. The runner-up ran a cracker and he was the only one to keep tabs with leader and held on for a gallant second. However, this was all about the winner. As he put a high-class field to the sword. 

Allaho proved he stayed 3m here but I suspect the extra two furlongs of a Gold Cup might prove more elusive but you never know with this long striding monster of a horse. His jumping at speed brings out mistakes from his rivals like we saw yesterday.

The best chaser in training? Yes, by some way!

Morning all,

My Qipco 1,000 Guineas ante post portfolio was looking so good a week ago. Well, it’s now unravelling quicker than a hand knitted jumper.

Hot on the heels of Monday’s announcement that Inspiral would miss Sunday’s race. Dermot Weld issued a warning that Homeless Songs was only 50/50 to run at Newmarket and could go for the French 1,000 Guineas instead.

It’s day one of the Punchestown Festival. Inside today’s column, I have a couple of eyecatchers from last week’s flat action. Plus, I look at some of today’s races at Punchestown in the main piece.