Keep an eye on Cyclop and Fortescue in London National December 5, 2023 IF THE weather forecasters are to be believed then the ground will be pretty bad come the time of the London National (3.35pm) on Saturday at Sandown. As with all of my ante-post columns, it’s pretty tricky to know for definite who is going to turn up and who isn’t, so with that in mind, [...]
Strong Feeling Helene is a winner waiting to happen December 5, 2023 IT’S DIFFICULT to overlook the chances of the Danny Shum-trained HELENE FEELING, who rates the best bet on the programme, when lining-up in the Japan Handicap (2.55pm) over nine furlongs. A pedestrian early pace counted against the former Michael Bell-trained three-year-old when he caught the eye staying on strongly in the closing stages to place [...]
Purton and Youthful can strike up a winning Deal December 1, 2023 SHA TIN in Hong Kong hosts a 10-race programme on Sunday, featuring half-a-dozen races on the all-weather surface and four on turf. Taking centre stage is the £285,000 Class Two Peninsula Golden Jubilee Challenge Cup (7.35am), a handicap over six furlongs on dirt. This contest features a number of top-class speedsters racing on dirt for [...]
Ellis Wong and Caspar Fownes the Perfect Team at Sha Tin December 1, 2023 FROM looking at the jockeys’ roster in Hong Kong this season you might find yourself wondering why young 23-year-old Ellis Wong doesn’t get more rides in the territory? The former graduate from the HKJC trainee programme, was sent over to Australia in 2021 to sharpen his skills and returned back to his homeland this year [...]
EP: 241 Newbury, Newcastle & Hong Kong December 1, 2023 The Gold Cup at Newbury is the highlight of another busy Saturday afternoon of jumps action, with the ‘Fighting Fifth’ Hurdle at Newcastle also on this weekend’s menu, where Constitution Hill is due to make his seasonal reappearance. Morning Wire Racing editor Bill Esdaile previews the best of Saturday’s jumps racing action, with Wally Pyrah [...]
Nicholls’ Unknown taken to Complete Newbury mission November 28, 2023 THERE are plenty of great races outside of the Cheltenham Festival and Saturday’s Coral Gold Cup (2.50pm) at Newbury is certainly one of them. Before I dive into my preview, I should point out that as with all of these ante-post pieces, it’s always difficult to know exactly who’s running, so keep an eye out [...]
Back Nickle to knuckle down and beat Allen at Newbury November 28, 2023 FRIDAY’s card at Newbury features two Grade Twos and in the first of those, the John Francombe Novices’ Chase (1.50pm), attention will be on Paul Nicholls’ Hermes Allen as he attempts to make a winning chase debut. Last season’s Challow Hurdle winner has already won a Point-to-Point and looks the type that should make into [...]
Cool runnings expected from Chill and Ruby November 28, 2023 RACEGOERS are in for a treat at Happy Valley today, when the inner-city track hosts an eight-race programme, featuring the six-furlong Class Two Eilean Handicap (2.50pm). ‘Horses for courses’ is an apt name for this contest, with seven of the 11 contenders having accumulated 28 course and distance victories between them. Top-weight Seasons Wit is [...]
Turtle Again to leave rivals shell-shocked with first win November 28, 2023 THE GODS of fortune have finally smiled on the Benno Yung-trained TURTLE AGAIN, who could record his first victory in the Crookston Castle Handicap (12.40pm) over nine furlongs. The New Zealand-bred gelding could be described as a slow-burner since making his first appearance in the territory over a year ago, but has always looked a [...]
Yung and Chau hoping to have some winning Fun Together November 24, 2023 JUST when the many thousands of Zac Purton supporters were finally feeling on good terms with themselves, after their champion had ridden nine winners at the last three race-meetings, he went from hero to zero once again, when bombing out with no success at Happy Valley in mid-week. It must be appreciated the six-time Champion [...]