Lee can bring Home the Stayers’ Hurdle bacon January 21, 2025 BACKING the winner of the Stayers’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival is almost always a tough ask, but I think I’ve found a bet in the race seven weeks out. Defending champion Teahupoo is undoubtedly the worthy favourite to retain his crown after he comfortably won the race 12 months ago, and he sits at [...]
Dreams of Orange Moon rising over Cheltenham January 21, 2025 ALL EYES will be on Cheltenham this Saturday when the Cotswolds course hosts its Festival Trials Day, which could see a surprise outing for superstar hurdler Constitution Hill. Nicky Henderson announced earlier this week that the Unibet Hurdle (3:00pm) was a distinct possibility for Constitution Hill, having previously thought he would head straight to the [...]
Bentley ready to spur Lucky on to more Hong Kong Glory January 21, 2025 RACING takes place on the ‘C’ track at Happy Valley today, where the draw is an important factor in determining winners, especially in recent times. The statistics point to a golden highway for horses drawn with low numbers in sprints, and it is a similar scenario in extended-mile contests. Records show gallopers with double-figure numbers [...]
Purton’s Sights set on becoming all-time leading Hong Kong rider January 21, 2025 EXPECTATIONS will be high for jockey Zac Purton to ring the publicity ‘victory bell’ twice during the nine-race programme at Happy Valley in Hong Kong today. The city-track will be jam-packed with media and photographers hoping to catch the moment when Purton finally surpasses Douglas Whyte’s all-time riding record of 1,813 winners in the city. [...]
J-Mac’s return to Award him with a Bundle of winners January 17, 2025 LOCAL racing fans are sure to give a warm welcome to James McDonald when the LONGINES World’s Best Jockey flies in for an awayday from Australia on Sunday. The locals already have fond memories of J-Mac this season, with the Kiwi-born pilot providing bettors with a month-long bonanza during a short-term contract in the city. [...]
Shinn to unlock Galaxy’s winning Patch in Stewards’ Cup January 17, 2025 HONG Kong racing enthusiasts have a treat in store when tuning into the action at Sha Tin on Sunday morning. The 11-race programme features two Group One contests and includes the return to action of two of the most popular gallopers in the city; Ka Ying Rising in the six-furlong Group One Centenary Sprint Cup [...]
L’Homme can Presse home his advantage in Gold Cup January 14, 2025 REGULAR readers will know that I tipped a Venetia Williams horse in my first Road to Cheltenham ante-post column last week. Well, I’m going in again I’m afraid! Make no mistake, Williams is an outstanding trainer, particularly of chasers, and I just think L’HOMME PRESSE is too big at 25/1 for the Boodles Gold Cup. [...]
Time to hit the jackpot at Ascot with Jonjo’s Jipcot January 14, 2025 MILLIONS are on offer this weekend. Quite literally, as Windsor (Friday and Sunday) and Ascot (Saturday) host the inaugural three-day Berkshire Winter Millions Festival with £1.2 million up for grabs. With a strong card up at Haydock as well, several horses hold multiple entries, so there are some risks with ante-post punting. First on the [...]
Purton looking to Fly North of Whyte’s wins record January 14, 2025 IT GOES without saying that all eyes will be focused once again on jockey Zac Purton, as he closes in on Douglas Whyte’s record of 1,813 winners in the territory. Having ridden eight winners already this month, and totalling 1,808 victories at present, it is only a matter of time before he surpasses Whyte’s record. [...]