Morning all,

After a thoroughly enjoyable few day’s away. It was great to be back for Saturday’s Cheltenham Trials Day and there were plenty of talking points to come out of the meeting.

Two of the most notable were the going at Cheltenham and the performance of the Paul Nicholls runners at both Cheltenham & Doncaster.

The going was officially described as good at Cheltenham. However, the way the horses were finishing their races suggests the going was more like dead, stamina sapping ground.

If you were backing Paul Nicholls runners on Saturday you ended the day very much out of pocket. Nicholls had ten runners across the Cheltenham and Doncaster cards. They all lost and only one placed. More notably for me. They all seemed to struggle to get home.

Today I look back on the highlight performances from an informative Cheltenham Trials Day. Plus, there’s a selection from Plumpton at the bottom of the main piece.

Read More »Cheltenham Trials Day Review and Plumpton Selection

Morning all,

I have had a few issue this morning. The article I was working on last evening hasn't saved so I have had to hastily rewrite this morning.

Inside today’s main piece I’m once again looking ahead to March and the Cheltenham Festival. There’s another free ante post selection. Plus, I have a selection from this afternoon’s meeting at Catterick.  

Read More »Path To Cheltenham and Catterick Selection

Morning all,

Well, I came off the cold list with Dubai Days success at Ayr yesterday. I was beginning to wonder when I would next provide the column with a winner. That’s one monkey off my back. Dubai Day’s victory was the third of three winners on the day for trainer Nick Alexander who has his horses in cracking form at present.

Racing Behind Closed Doors Again

There was bad news for racing. The Welsh Government announced yesterday that spectators are banned from all indoor, outdoor, professional and sports events in Wales from 26 December. This means the Welsh Grand National at Chepstow on December 27^th will once again be run behind closed doors. I suspect you’re more likely to catch Omicron variant down the local Tesco than outside in the Monmouthshire countryside.

Hot on the heels of that news. The Scottish Government announced a cap of 500 spectators at sporting events from December 27^th which will last for three weeks.  

Musselburgh’s New Year’s Days fixture will be held behind closed doors. As the racecourse said having 500 spectators wasn’t viable and only annual members, owners, trainers, and staff will be in attendance.

For now, England seems to be holding off adding more restrictions. How long that situation will last is any one’s guess. I fear the sport faces an uncertain few weeks which could run into months.  I hope I’m wrong. The only positive is that racing will at least take place, even if it is behind closed doors.

Read More »Christmas Crackers – Part 1

Morning all,

Our lass has tested positive for Covid. Thankfully it looks to be mild. I have cold like symptoms and I’m feeling a bit ropey but my two LFT’s are coming up negative. Although I have ordered a PCR test just to be on the safe side.

There are two cases going on involving the jockey room. One is the Freddie Tylicki £6m negligence claim in the High Court against fellow rider Graham Gibbons and of course the other is the Robbie Dunne hearing at the BHA. Both cases are not reflecting well on the weighing room.

The Dunne case has gone well beyond weight room banter. I think jockey’s need to take a hard look at themselves in the mirror. They seem to have let the sport down and very badly. Bullying and misogyny is just not acceptable and the weighing room has to get its act together and sharpish. Let’s hope this hearing leads to the sport dealing with those dishing out the abuse.

That’s the off-field activity out of the way. Back to another exciting weekend of jumps racing.

Read More »Becher Chase Preview and Wincanton Selection