Hi all,

As mentioned yesterday, David is away this weekend.

Things didn’t pan out as expected yesterday as I went against Chairmanoftheboard and Trincomalee who of course won their respective races. Hopefully Champions Day can provide us with better.

Inside today’s main piece I look at all six races on the Champions Day card. Plus. You will find my fancies at the end.

Read More »Champions Day Preview

Morning all,

Do you want the bad news first or the very bad news?

Well, the bad new is Dave Massey is having a well-earned holiday. The very bad news is I have been asked to step into the hot seat for him. That means you will be getting the Victor Value selections for the next two days.

It looked hard work for yesterday’s selection Made For Minds who didn’t look like he wanted to go past the leader in the final furlong but a strong ride from Joey Sheridan enabled the column to grab a second winner on the week.

It was as you were in the flat jockey’s championship for Murphy and Buick. Both riders rode a winner at Chelmsford yesterday evening so the gap remains at two.

Inside today's main piece I have had a look at three races at Haydock & Uttoxeter

Read More »Friday Preview

Morning all,

The flat racing Champion Jockey crown is still up for grabs. William Buick rode a double at Nottingham yesterday with leader Osin Murphy failing to ride a winner. It means Murphy leads Buick by two. The pair are riding at Chelmsford and Buick has seven rides to Murphy’s six. It could be an interesting evening.

Inside today’s main piece you can read my thoughts on the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. Plus, I have a selection from the Curragh.

Read More »Thursday Fancy

Morning all,

There was much froth produced about moving the Arc due to the heavy ground that seems to be the norm.  It’s something that’s been occasionally said about Champions Day. Now neither the Arc nor Champions Day are going to be moved from their slots in the racing calendar. Unlike Longchamp, Ascot does have the option of switching races on to the inner jumps track. However, that would only come into play if the meeting was in danger of being abandoned and rightly so.

Since the first Champions Day in 2011 seven of the fixtures have gone off on soft (6) and heavy (1). However, this year although the ground is presently being described as good to soft, soft in places on the straight course and soft, good to soft in places on the round track. The rest of the week is due to be mainly dry. Of course, this isn’t June so the going won’t end up being quick by Saturday but it will be much nicer than in recent seasons.

Inside today’s main piece I look forward to Champions Day. Plus, I have a selection from Wetherby.

Read More »Wetherby Selection & Champion Sprint Preview