Hi all,

I woke up on New Year’s Day convinced it was Saturday. When you’re stuck in the Christmas twilight zone, the days tend to blur into one.

I’d been out for dinner on New Year’s Eve and, walking home, it was clear the Arctic blast had arrived.

Friday’s meetings at Fakenham and Ayr both face inspections due to frost. We already lost Exeter on Thursday. Thankfully, Cheltenham, Musselburgh and Windsor survived to give ITV Racing viewers a full New Year’s Day programme.

Read More »New Year’s Day Racing Review: Cheltenham Crowds, Winners and Talking Points

Hi all,

Happy New Year!

I haven’t wanted a year to end as much as the last one. A true annus horribilis. That’s behind us now and I’m ready to get stuck into 2026.

The Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle (2.35) tops a seven-race card at Cheltenham. Expect the track’s biggest crowd outside the Festival. It may be the classiest race of the day, but the most valuable contest is the Betfair Exchange Handicap Chase (2.00), worth £56,950 to the winner.

ITV Racing will show four races live from Cheltenham. They also cover two from Musselburgh, where the Class 2 Auld Reekie Handicap Chase (2.15) is the feature, and they’ve added a race from Windsor to the programme.

Read More »New Year’s Day Racing Preview

Hi all,

Inside today’s main piece, I conclude my festive racing review. Yesterday I looked at Boxing Day and Saturday. Today I’m looking at Sunday and Monday’s racing.

Read More »Festive Racing Review: Teahupoo, Savills Surprise, Lossiemouth

Hi all,

What a fantastic long Christmas weekend of racing we’ve had, particularly at Kempton and Leopardstown. There was plenty of drama, thrilling finishes and a few bubbles burst along the way.

Over the next two days I’ll reflect on my highlights from the four days. Today the focus is on Friday and Saturday, with Sunday and Monday to follow tomorrow.

Read More »Christmas Racing Review: Epic King George and Welsh Grand National Record