Morning all,

The dry and warm spell of weather is coming to an end with thundery showers forecast for today and tomorrow although Saturday could be mostly dry.

The St Leger Festival tends to be a slow burner with the quality of racing improving each day. It’s fair to say today’s seven race card is of better quality than day one.

The ITV cameras are covering five races on the second day of the St Leger meeting plus the jump jockeys Derby at Epsom. The feature races at Doncaster are the Group 2 May Hill Stakes (2.40). Where next year's 1,000 Guineas ante post favourite Inspiral will be odds on to maintain her unbeaten record. The other feature race is the Group 2 Park Hill Fillies' Stakes (3.15).

Inside today's main piece you can read my thoughts on the Doncaster races being covered by ITV.

Read More »Doncaster St Leger Festival – Day 2

Morning all,

The sizzling September weather is set to continue for the start of Doncaster’s St Leger Festival. Its 12 months since Doncaster hosted a government pilot event. Which enabled a small number of paying spectators to attend a British racecourse for the first time since March. Sadly, the pilot only lasted a day. As the local public health authority pulled the plug due to rising Covid19 cases in the area. This meant the rest of the festival took place behind closed doors. No issues this year and the meeting will take place with no crowd restrictions.  

Inside today’s main piece I have some Cazoo St Leger Festival trainer stats for you. Plus, you can read my thoughts on six of the seven races on the Doncaster card.

Read More »Doncaster St Leger Festival – Day 1

Morning all,

Saturday saw the start of eight days high class racing. After Haydock and Longchamp at the weekend. This week the big race caravan heads to Doncaster for the four-day St Leger Festival which gets underway on Wednesday. Then on Saturday & Sunday we have Irish Champions Weekend at Leopardstown and the Curragh.

The recent dry spell meant July Cup winner Starman was sent off a strong favourite for Haydock’s Betfair Sprint Cup. Sadly, for favourite backers the line came a stride too early and he had to settle for a short head second behind Emaraaty Ana.

I highlighted in Wednesday's race preview that ‘horror’ 4-year-old stat of 4-year-old which Starman had to defy if he was to win. Well, it extended to 0 winners from 54 runners with the defeat of Starman and Art Power in this year’s race.

Island Brave early priced advised 16/1 and Top Secret 5/1 ensured a profitable Saturday for myself and my Victor Value subscribers. On the eve of the St Leger Festival and Irish Champions Weekend its good to be going into both in winning form.

Inside today’s main piece you can read my thoughts on the weekend’s two Group 1 contests. Plus, I have a selection from Newcastle.

Read More »Newcastle Selection & Group 1 Weekend Review

Good morning all,

Whilst on our visit down to the South West this week, we took in a visit to Newton Abbot as part of it. Have a read of my review of the place and our evening out on the main piece. Plus a selection from Pontefract tonight, where I'll be working later on.

Read More »In Praise Of…