Epsom - Saturday 6th June

I will be making my way up to Surrey soon for what looks to be a wet and miserable Derby day. The ground is likely to soften appreciably but it's a cracking card and hopefully we get a good winner of the World's greatest horse race. 

14:05, Princess Elizabeth Stakes

Shes Perfect 4/1, 1.5pts each-way (3 places)

Charlie Fellowe's 4 year old filly was unjustly disqualified from the French 1000 Guineas last year and hasn't been allowed the chance to gain revenge on the track since. She ran a creditable race on comeback at Goodwood last month behind a top notch rival and is fancied to get on the scoresheet here. She acts on any ground and has the class edge on the field. 

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15:15, Betfred 'Dash' Handicap

Lexington Blitz 13/2, 2pts win
Eclairage 9/1, 2pts win

The dash is often a bit of a lottery but it pays to side with horses with plenty of early boot. Lexington Blitz was 2nd in the 3YO version of this last year and looks a better horse this time around after his demolition job at Goodwood last month. He has a big chance here for shrewd connections whilst Eclairage was just touched off in Ireland last time out and is still unexposed now facing Epsom for the first time. She's drawn well in 14 and the jockey booking of Billy Loughnane catches the eye. 

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16:00, The Derby

Pierre Bonard 8/1, 2pts win
Maltese Cross 11/1, 2pts win

Constitution River's shadow lingers over this race but it's still the Derby and we have a cracking field with the winners of most of the major trials here. Benvenuto Cellini has been all the rage in recent weeks but the prospect of soft ground dampens enthusiasm whilst Item must too have a question to answer about give in the surface along with the trip. James J Braddock downed Pierre Bonard last time out in a trial but had the jump on the Camelot colt a bit that day and this race will be run completely different. Christophe Soumillon's mount looked the most likely Derby winner in the Autumn but hasn't really hit the right notes in two starts to date but that could all change here. This step up in trip back on an easier surface is exactly what he wants and it's expected the big strapping colt will be fully fit now. At slightly bigger odds it could be that William Haggas's Maltese Cross has been overlooked. He bids to emulate Anthony Van Dyke by winning the Lingfield Derby Trial on the way to Epsom glory and it's knuckling down quality with could serve him well in what looks set to be a brutal running of the Blue Ribband. He's stamina laden and progressing at the right speed. He nearly won on soft ground on debut and although by Sea The Stars the dam side suggests soft ground will be no problem at all. 

Guineas Weekend 2026

The annual pilgrimage to Newmarket to see the first Classics of the season saw a pair of classy winners and a weekend of fair weather. 9 races on the Saturday felt a bit heavy when considering the Sunday card was poor with a pair of maidens and a small field handicap coming after the filly's Classic. Still, 2000 Guineas hero Bow Echo produced a performance that left all there in Cambridgeshire feeling they had seen something special. The unbeaten son of Night Of Thunder wasn't the biggest in the field and hadn't seemed to have grown as much over the winter as some of his opponents but he's still a well put together individual. The field was blown apart but we mustn't get carried away by the performance just yet as George Boughey had his colt timed to perfection and it can be argued that he raced up the favoured part of the track. It can't be envisaged that the draw alone made a difference to the result though and it will be interesting to see how the winner gets on around a bend at Ascot next month. 10 furlongs should be within reach further down the line. Gstaad dominated the paddock before the race and left the impression that he will improve for the effort. The son of Starspangledbanner looks a hard horse to get fit. He will take some stopping at the Curragh this weekend and one would imagine connections will fancy their chances of getting close at Ascot for all turning the tables completely looks a tall order. A drop to 7 furlongs wouldn't be out of the question given his speed and a race like the Prix Jean Prat could be ideal later on in the season. Distant Storm was a long way back but he will improve for the run and raced on the wrong part of the track. The Godolphin colt may be better round a bend as he's a horse with a turn of foot and the stable was under a bit of a cloud at the time. As for the 1000 Guineas on the Sunday, True Love towered over her rivals in the prelims much the same way that Gstaad had done the day before. The difference here was that the tall daughter of No Nay Never came into this off the back of a prep run and looked pretty fit for her outing here. She walked around with the better fancied stablemate Precise and duly made her look diminutive. The latter didn't look to have grown much over the winter for all she isn't an overly small filly. She didn't run a bad race from a poor draw and can be better judged on her run next time out, which may be in Ireland. True Love duly quickened up like a classy filly in the final 2 furlongs and can go down as an impressive winner. She allayed all stamina concerns here and carried on her love affair with English tracks. She is unbeaten in this country. The latest Classic winner from Ballydoyle should take all the beating wherever she goes this season with races like the Coronation Stakes and Falmouth being on the agenda for sure. Of those in behind, it would be an idea to keep Venetian Sun onside as she'll improve for dropping back down in trip and could be a threat still in the Commonwealth Cup whilst Abashiri is clearly a talented filly who will improve with time on here side. 

Ascot - Saturday 9th May

I will be at Ascot today for a fiendish days action but there's a huge runner Victoria Cup to unpick. 

13:45, Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% British EBF Fillies' Handicap

Radiant Beauty 5/1, 2pts each-way (3 places)

James Owen had a decent Chester in mid-week and now sets his sight on Berkshire. Radiant Beauty progressed quickly last year and showed her versatility between turf and all-weather when just touched off at Newmarket in the Autumn off the same mark as she races off here. She'll improve for her run at Listed level last time out and should go very well under James Doyle. 

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14:20, Carey Group Victoria Cup

Storm Free 12/1, 1.5pts each-way (6 places)
Ten Pounds 22/1, 1pt each-way (6 places)
Golden Mind 28/1, 0.75pts each-way (6 places)

With 29 runners it may pay to have a few stabs at this. Storm Free is still lightly raced and counted as progressive for James Tate. A winner at Leicester off a 4 pound lower mark in October, he shaped like a horse to keep onside of but was just badly positioned on seasonal debut at Newmarket last month and should come on for the run. The stable know how to win big Saturday races at this track. Ten Pounds has moved to Joey Ramsden and is now looking fairly handicapped after a quiet time of things. He was 3rd in the Wokingham off a pound higher mark last year and arrives here off the back of a nice prep run and has a 7 pound claimer involved. Warren Fentiman will also claim off Richard Fahey's Golden Mind. The 5 year old may not hide much from the handicapper but he's a classy sort and was 4th in the International over C&D last year. He showed he's as good as ever when finishing 2nd on his most recent start and has claims at a big price. 

Sandown - Saturday 25th April

The end of the jumps season is sadly here. I will be at Sandown today for the big day and hope to find some value in what is a real betting bonanza. 

13:45, bet365 Novices' Championship Final Handicap Hurdle

Cosmic Connection 11/2, 2pts win
Willstar 11/1, 1.5pts each-way (5 places)

It has paid to go with horses in recent form in this event and none here could be in better fettle than Chris Gordon's Cosmic Connection. The stable has had a fine spring campaign and they bring their 5 year old son of Getaway here off the back of an easy victory at Chepstow over the decent The Kemble Brewery. He had loads in hand that day so a 6 pound rise looks fair and is mightily unexposed. He must have a chance off top weight. Another who comes into this off a win is Olly Murphy's Willstar. The 6 year old looked to have the world at his feat going into the season but things didn't get off to a very good start and a wind op was soon turned to. He steadily built on his form through the start of the calendar year and looked to be getting it all together when he won at Warwick last time in what looked a fair race. He's now improving and a mark of 125 looks readily exploitable. 

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15:30, bet365 Gold Cup Handicap Chase

Rock My Way 14/1, 1pt each-way (4 places)

It may be a slightly below par renewal of this grand old race but it is an open one. Montregard deserves to be favourite off the back of another win at Ascot and is still a horse going the right way. The trip is still an unknown and he has pulled up on his only start away from Ascot this season so far. In D'or must have a big chance as he's fresher than most and better off at the weights with the favourite from their last meeting. He needs to answer whether this trip is what he wants however. Havaila must be mentioned after winning the Sussex National in a canter but the handicapper has reacted for his recent wins and this is a big step up in class. Resplendent Grey has a chance if he returns to form being the winner of this last year but he hasn't really convinced at all this year and has had enough chances. Perhaps its's worth chancing one at a bigger price. Joe Tizzard's Rock My Way ran a mighty race to finish 2nd in the Midlands Grand National last time out on what was desperate ground. He won the Berkshire National well earlier in the season on quick ground and it could be that 4 miles just stretches him as it looked to again in the Edinburgh National. He'll enjoy being back on a better surface and should run well again if the tough season doesn't catch up with him. 

Newbury & Ayr - Saturday 18th April

It's Scottish National day but I'll be at Newbury for the Spring Trials. 2 very contrasting ground conditions as it's heavy in West Scotland and Good to Firm in Berkshire. 

Newbury 15:10, Spring Cup

Classic 22/1, 1pt each-way (5 places)
Boyfriend 18/1, 1pt each-way (5 places)

Back In Black has obvious claims considering he won here on seasonal debut last year but has been well found in the market whilst Fifth Column is a danger to all if bouncing back from a poor Autumn campaign. It may pay to side with Richard Hannon's outsiders here. Classic was 3rd in this last season and is now better off at the weights with the 2 who finished in front of him that day. Boyfriend finished 2nd to subsequent Hunt Cup winner My Cloud over course and distance on seasonal debut last year and runs off a light weight. 

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Ayr 15:35, Scottish Grand National

King Of Answers 13/2, 2pts each-way (5 places)
Famous Bridge 28/1, 1pt each-way (5 places)

The Scottish National field has cut up a little bit with the softening ground but it's still an open renewal. King Of Answers ran a cracker to finish 2nd at Cheltenham on ground that may have been quick enough. There's been a nice gap this year from that meeting and he arrives here off a 39 day break. The ground and trip hold no fears for connections who know what it takes to win this race. At bigger odds Famous Bridge could go well. He's tumbled down the weights after a poor season but he's a soft ground expect to won last year's Grand National Trial at Haydock. The stable couldn't be in better form and a return to form isn't out of the question. 

Newmarket - Wednesday 15th April

The flat is well and truly back now with Newmarket's first meeting of the year now underway. The first big registered 1000 Guineas Trial is the highlight of Wednesday. 

15:35, Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes

Mubasimah 11/2, 1pt each-way (4 places)

Andrew Balding's filly looked a classy sort in the prelims before duly doing the business on the track when winning on debut at this track last September. The daughter of Frankel stepped up on that form to finish a neck second in the Oh So Sharp stakes in October. There's others here which arrive with better bare form but she was downed by one with more experience that day and this uncomplicated type is the sort to improve for her racing and given her track experience it's fair to expect that she'll be ready for this assignment. 

Aintree - Friday 10th April

Wins for Jango Baie (11/8), Barton Snow (15/8) and Ryan's Rocket (12/1) meant the opening day of the Aintree Festival was a winning one if a bit frustrating after Lulamba parted ways with his jockey and The New Lion was left poorly positioned after a mistake at the last. Day 2 looks hard but plenty of angles are there to be found if we search hard enough. 

13:45, william hill handicap hurdle

Favour And Fortune 14/1, 1pt each-way (5 places)

The opening race of day 2 is a proper fiendish punting affair. Olly Murphy's Indeevar Bleu didn't run at Cheltenham and comes here a fresh horse. He looked good when winning over course and distance on Boxing Day and looks a horse on the up. The only niggling worry is that he's shaped as though a softer surface sees him to best effect and he won't get that here. Hot Fuss has had a memorable campaign and arrives with form claims again although the season's exploits could begin to take there toll, as they could for the classy Joyeuse who also has stamina doubts to put to bed. Wellington Arch rates a fair each-way bet in search of landing this race again whilst Trustintimes is another who comes here fresh and with claims as an unexposed type. In a condensed race at the weights, it may be that top weight Favour And Fortune could take advantage of a light season having only raced the once, back in February. It's not been plain sailing for the 8 year old in his career but is a former Scottish Champion Hurdle winner who was placed in this last year off a pound lower mark. He's a whopping 13 pounds better off with Wellington Arch this time around and has shown that this trip on good ground is what he probably wants these days. This looks to have been a long range target. 

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14:20, William Hill Mildmay Novices' Chase

Miami Magic 5/1, 2pts win

Not one of the classiest renewals of the Mildmay but an open one from a punting view. The race is dominated by those who ran well, without winning, at Cheltenham. Salver has had a productive season and ran a cracker to finish 3rd at the Festival. He never looked like winning that day though and he's hard a long season. Softer ground is also prefered. Gold Dancer and Regent's Stroll finished 2nd and 3rd in the Jack Richards and have claims here for all this is a marked step up in class and both have to convince at the trip. Wendigo also has a chance but may need a stiffer test than this will offer so preference is for Stuart Edmonds Miami Magic. Sent off 5/2 favourite for a Grade 1 over hurdles here last season, he got off to a poor start over fences in the Autumn before it all came together at Cheltenham on New Year's Day. He accounted for Regent's Stroll that day and although 5 pound worse off at the weights here, over the trip he's expected to confirm the form. He bolted up over this trip at Newbury in February and arrives here fresher than most. The son of Leading Light enjoys a flat track and a decent surface and can take advantage of a substandard field to take out his first Grade 1. 

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14:55, ThatPrizeGuy Top Novices' Hurdle

Sober Glory 8/13, 2.6pts win

Another Grade 1 that has drawn perhaps a weaker than expected field. It all revolves around Supreme 2nd Sober Glory. A winning machine throughout most of his career to date, he bounced back from a blip at Sandown to bolt up at Newbury before running a mighty race from the front at Cheltenham. He was beaten by the best novice hurdler around that day and on all known form he should make ammends here. Baron Noir could get closer in a more compact race but has work to do to turn around Festival form whilst La Conquiere didn't give her running in the Dawn Run and could run well at bigger odds in a less competitive affair here. 

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15:30, JCB Melling Chase

Gidleigh Park 9/2, 2pts win

A classy renewal of the Melling Chase although a shame that Jonbon is an absentee. Ryanair winner Heart Wood deserves to take top billing here after routing the opposition at Cheltenham and he has outstanding claims of completing a big spring double. He would have had a hard race that day despite the ease of his victory however and he has tasted defeat at this meeting before. Grey Dawning drops in trip here after running well in the Gold Cup without seeing it out and has strong claims in first time cheekpieces. That run could leave a mark however and may need a softer surface to be seen to best effect. It could pay to side with one who sidestepped Cheltenham here. Harry Fry's Gidleigh Park split Impare Et Passe and Jango Baie here 12 months ago and although it hasn't gone to plan since, he has always looked to have a big one in the locker somewhere. A talented individual without doubt, he arrives here fresh and seems to have ideal conditions. The 8 year old son of Walk In The Park won't have any better chance of claiming a maiden Grade 1 victory. 

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16:05, Randox Topham Handicap Chase

Madara 9/2, 2pts win

A big field Topham awaits us again and it's stacked with Irish challengers who all hold chances none more so than last year's winner Gentleman De Mee who must go well again at the weights. Stablemate Ile Atlantique has always looked like a graded horse and will be a threat to all if this test revitalises him whilst Il Est Francais could blow these all out of the water if on a going day. Those are few and far between these days however. Prarie Wolf keeps defying the handicapper and his racing style is adaptable and could keep progressing here and Boombawn can't be written off given his past exploits. The latter's stablemate Madara could continue to make a mockery of the handicapper however. It's fair to say the 7 year old was one of the easiest winners of the week at Cheltenham and still hasn't had a hard season. He's been clobbered 10 pounds for winning the Plate there but could still have more to come and connections are already taking about graded aspirations. In an open race, it could be that it's the obvious staring us in the face yet again and from the Skelton stable once more. 

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16:40, Oddschecker Sefton Novices' Hurdle

No Drama This End 10/3, 3pts win

A very open edition of the Sefton with any number holding strong chances. Albert Bartlett winner Johnny's Jury could still be improving and holds a chance for all that was a hard race he had that day. Mondou'boy has claims of reversing form from that race if given a more restrained ride and Kripticjim could also get closer now on a flatter track. Zeus Power finished 3rd in the Turners and has a chance if seeing this trip out and Dalston Lad is unexposed and fresh from missing the Festival. No Drama This End was one of the big talking horses heading into the Spring but nothing went his way in the Turners and finished with questions to answer. He was looked after that day though and now steps up in trip taking on opponents who had very tough races the last day. He's already a Grade 1 winner who still looks to have the world at his feet and this trip shouldn't hold any fears. The 6 year old still rates the best horse in the race and can make amends here under his new rider. 

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17:15, Debenhams Handicap Hurdle

Sherminator 13/2, 1.5pts each-way (5 places)

A thoroughly open affair to end the day. Wreckless Eric is still fairly weighted and he brings in the best recent form having finished 2nd in the Imperial Cup whilst Harry Lowes could be anything now he's getting his act together over hurdles. Patrick Mullins rides Sherminator here for Harry Fry though and that's an eye catching jockey booking. The 5 year old still looks to be on a fair mark in search of the hattrick and is unbeaten over hurdles when staying on all fours. He must hold a big chance up in class.