Aintree & Doncaster - Saturday 7th November

I will not be on a racecourse today as was due to make the trip to Wincanton today (not sure if we will see racing in the West Country before Christmas at this rate) and so will be watching Eastleigh v Shrewsbury in the FA Cup instead. There's proper racing on show on both codes though. 

Aintree 15:00, Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle

Our Guide 7/2, 2pts each-way (4 places)

Always tricky these Pertemps qualifiers but Jamie Snowden's Our Guide is fit and well from a 3rd placed finish in the Silver Trophy at Chepstow last month and looks well worth a go over 3 miles. He progressed nicely in the summer and is a strong stayer late on in his races. In a race full of horses who may not be ready for this assignment, it could be that Our Guide is primed to take advantage. 

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Doncaster 15:25, November Handicap

Say What You See 25/1, 1pt each-way (5 places)

A hard November handicap to weigh up this year with last year's winner returning for his first run in a year and Patrick Neville's Alfred Wincham a real 'could be anything' runner. Add in Richard Hughes's  lightweight Nobody Knows who has the services of Ryan Moore who holds a big chance and suddenly the front end of the market looks pretty stacked. Rather than trying to pick between them, it may be worthwhile chancing an outsider to spoil the party. Say What You See has been a model of consistency this season having finished at least 4th on all his runs. A return to this trip will benefit him after a good run over 10 furlongs at York last time out and the soft ground will be to his liking as well. He should be there or thereabouts. 

Ascot - Saturday 31st October

I will be at Ascot today for the first taste of the National Hunt season proper so far. 

12:50, Grundon Novices' Handicap Hurdle

Fidendum 7/1, 1pt each-way (3 places)

An open race to get thing's under way but the consistent Fidendum represents a stable in form and can continue his progress. 

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14:00, Sodexo Live! Handicap Chase

Shakeyatailfeather 18/1, 1pt each-way (4 places)

Any of the runners could win this and so in an open affair it's fair to say there are worse tactics than keeping Dan Skelton on side. Shakeyatailfeather ran OK in this last year but she's fresh this time around which seems to be the time to catch her.

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14:33, Sodexo Live! Regal Encore Handicap Chase

Tapley 7/1, 1pt each-way (3 places)

One of the best betting races of the day and it could be that the Moore's win this race again. They took over the seemingly exposed Tapley in the summer but have managed to get 2 wins from 2 starts into the likeable grey and this would surely have been a target. 

Breeders Cup 2026 - Friday

It's Halloween time and we have the jumps season in full swing but there's the small matter of the Breeders Cup to worry about over the next 2 days. The world's racing eyes will be fixed on Kentucky and the Keeneland Turf. We have some stars of the sport on show and hopefully winners to be found among them. 

18:55, Juvenile Turf Sprint

Libertango 6/4, 4pts win

The opener proper sees George Boughey's star juvenile Libertango take to the stage in search of getting the European contingent off to a flyer. It's a different kettle of fish going round the bend over a shorter trip for the daughter of No Nay Never but she's got a huge class edge over her rivals and has been given the kindest of draws. Bet of the evening. 

Cheltenham & Doncaster - Saturday 24th October

I will not be on a racecourse for the first weekend in a while with Newbury abandoned to much shame but will be watching all the action at Cheltenham & Donny as plenty of punting action on show.

Cheltenham 13:10, William Hill Epic Boosts Novices' Limited Handicap Chase

Spectacularsunrise 4/1, 2pts win
Sogna In Grande 12/1, 1pt win

A fiercely competitive opener today with several of these open to any amount of improvement now chasing but the Twiston-Davies team are in fine fettle and they have already got a win into Spectacularsunrise curtesy of a tidy win at Perth last month. The 6 year old looked good that day and and it's worth remembering he was sent of 3/1 for the Morebattle last season. Lower down the handicap is Kim Bailey's Sogna In Grande. The 6 year old Dartmouth gelding was last seen finishing last at Perth in the spring but he can be forgiven that effort as he was taking on a classy winner and it was quick off the back of a good win at Wincanton. The stables horses often improve for a fence and their runner here is totally unexposed. 

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Doncaster 15:55, William Hill Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap

Have Secret 14/1, 1pt each-way (5 places)

An open race this and it's not advisable to get too involved at Doncaster given the atrocious ground but it was the same conditions last year and Richard Fahey's Have Secret finished 2nd off just a pound lower mark. He's been in and out this season like always but wins in turn and is due one.

Ascot - Saturday 17th October (Champions Day)

 I will be at Ascot today for the big finale of the flat season in Britain (although the season still runs for a few weeks yet). This is as good a card as you will see on these shores although be warned, it is notorious for punting. Not a day to get stuck into, but enjoy the top class racing on offer on this unseasonably dry ground. 

13:30, Qatar Racing British Champions Long Distance Cup

Daiquiri Bay 9/1, 1pt win
Opportunity 12/1, 1pt win

An open renewal of the Long Distance cup and it's a tricky one to weigh up. 3 year olds have a torrid record on this and the Leger form has yet to be properly tested so it's worth taking on Highwayman at the prices. Gregory is one who appeals more considering his back class and gently, gently approach in here but he's been well found in the market. Perhaps, in an open race, it's worth chancing that top quality handicappers Daiquiri Bay and Opportunity can bridge the gap. Both won at the Royal meeting and clearly go well at the track and both could well improve again now facing the longer trip. 

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14:05, Qatar Racing British Champions Sprint Stakes

Almeraq 11/8, 2pts win

The past few years, the Sprint division in Europe has been pretty poor but Almeraq has really stood out as a shining light this year by winning at the Royal meeting and then the Spring Cup so impressively last month. He would need to blow out for the others to have a chance on form and considering he's been kept pretty fresh throughout the summer it's hard to see that happening. 

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14:40, Qatar Racing British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes

Kalpana 11/10, 2pts win

Kalpana may have failed in her Arc attempt again but she sets a mighty standard now back against her own sex and really should be up to the task of winning this Group 1 for the 3rd season in a row.

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15:20, Queen Elizabeth II Stakes

Rayif 6/1, 1pt win

The 2 Group 1s preceding this may have short priced favourites but the QE2 is wide open this year. Gstaad probably just about brings the best form from the summer here but he's had a hard old season and was disappointing the last day whilst Talk Of New York faces a much sterner test here than he did in the Group 2 at Newmarket last time out. Instead, preference is for the French 2000 Guineas winner Rayif who comes here fresher than most and bounced back to form to win a Group 1 last time out. 

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16:00, Qatar Racing Champion Stakes

Constitution River 11/2, 1pt win

A very strong Champion Stakes but it's anyone's guess who will come out on top. Calandagan loves Ascot and beaten Ombudsman last year but the suspicion is that the latter is better equipped a year on for this assignment and the smaller field may make this more tactical. However, Constitution River hasn't been at his best the last 2 days but it's not forgotten the impression he made in the Eclipse. If he's played later today and settles better he's worth chancing at the prices. 

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16:35, Balmoral Handicap

EBT's Guard 8/1, 1pt each-way (5 places)

As hard a handicap as you will find but last year's runner up EBT's Guard is back again at a track he always run well at and this doesn't look as hard a renewal as 12 months ago. He's drawn well and looks a sound selection. 

Newmarket & Chepstow - Saturday 10th October

I will be at Newmarket today for a fantastic card displaying stars of the future as well as the Autumn's biggest handicap. Plenty of betting action at Chepstow too. 

Newmarket 15:40, Club Godolphin Cesarewitch Handicap

Mountain Road 10/1, 2pts each-way (6 places)
Cock And Bull 14/1, 1pt win
Dream On Baby 14/1, 1pt win

A fiendish Ces once again at HQ. Plenty have big chances here but Mountain Road was a huge eyecatcher at York in August and has seemingly been kept away for this. Emmett Mullins is always feared in these sort of races and has won this before so it's worth keeping both his runners on side too. 

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Chepstow 14:10, Paul Ferguson's Jumpers To Follow 'Four Years Old' Hurdle

Flash Man 12/1, 1pt each-way (4 places)
Mojito Des Mottes 13/2, 2pts each-way (4 places)

This is always a hard race to unpick given these are second season hurdlers but Flash Man ran some good races in the spring against his elders and ran a cracker to finish 4th on the flat at Epsom 2 weeks back. He has a chance. Another who arrives fit is Ben Pauling's Mojito Des Mottes who has been running well on tracks that didn't suit. He'll appreciate the long straight here today and looks ahead of the handicapper. 

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Chepstow 16:02, Wasdell Group Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle

Masked Man 7/2, 2pts win

A good renewal of the Silver Trophy but the Twiston-Davies team have been in cracking form of late and this must have been the plan for Masked Man's seasonal debut all along. The strapping sort will make a chaser in time but he's a top prospect in the making and is surely up to exploiting this mark. 

Lonchamp - Sunday 4th October

I have been in Paris this week for a trip that culminates in the greatest all-aged race in the World today. At Lonchamp yesterday the ground was noticeably wetter than many expected after a warm and sunny few days, there's definitely been plenty of watering going on but it should dry out to something like good ground all round by Arc time. It was clover for British trainers on Saturday although a mixed afternoon for punters with a end of day hammer blow of Sunly, Scandinavia and Qudwah all beaten. A frustrating day punting wise was softened by Qirat going pillar to post in the Prix Daniel Wildenstein under a power packed Silvestre De Sousa. A lovely hot Autumnal day and it looks like we're in store for something similar today. It's fair to say this isn't the strongest undercard in recent years and the Arc itself is perhaps lacking in the usual depth but we have a truly great story about to be written if the Aga Khan's Daryz can become the first colt since 1978 to win back to back renewals of the great race. It's a big day in France and hopefully a few winners can be found. 

12:31, Prix Marcel Boussac

Green Empress 7/4, 2pts win

In a season where Sun Goddess has dominated the fillies' juvenile division it's now one who finished beaten behind her last time out who rocks up as a short priced favourite for the first race of the day. It's not the hottest Group 1 and although it's a big field, Joseph O'Brien's Green Empress brings by far the best form to the table here and should take all the beating. 

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13:09, Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere 

Avec Toi 7/2, 2pts win

Joseph O'Brien will fancy his chances of taking both the juvenile Group 1's and after his victory in the National Stakes last time out, Folsom Blues will be a short price again here. His form stacks up and is a colt with a serious turn of foot but he's had a hard season and this may not be run at the frantic pace of that race at the Curragh the last day. He's up against a serious opponent in the unbeaten Avec Toi today and it's the French colt who makes the most appeal at the prices. The son of No Nay Never looked imperious on his first 3 starts when dismissing his rivals with contempt before having to out-battle Imperial Strike in a Group 3 last month. That run maybe has a few thinking his limitations have been exposed but the runner up was also unbeaten going into that and the pair drew well clear of the 3rd. This bigger field will suit Christopher head's colt better as he'll be able to get some cover and could be better positioned than the favourite. 

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13:47, Prix de l'Abbaye

Time For Sandals 7/1, 2pts win

The Abbaye is normally an open affair and this year's renewal looks no different. Katie Scott's Naana's Shadow has been a revelation this year and some story but the filly has been done no favours by the draw and has lost favouritism because of it. Miss Yerchance has favoured better and could be hard to catch if she shoots out the stalls and bags the rail but with plenty of pace on up front it could be that a hold up performer comes through (given gaps appear). With that in mind maybe today is the day for Time For Sandals. Harry Eustace's filly has become a bit frustrating over the past few months but she's not had the rub of the green and is still holding her form well. She was an unlucky loser of the Nunthorpe and stall 10 isn't a hammer blow for her chances given the run-style. 

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15:05, Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe

Thundering On 8/1, 2pts win
Maltese Cross 8/1, 2pts win

The biggest race in the European calendar is here and it's a tricky betting heat. In a race where there's not masses of pace on, perhaps Friendly Soul will make the running and she should run well for all the this is a hard task on a first go against the colts. Bay City Roller could be one to make an early move but the draw has been unkind and the ground has gone against George Scott's stable star. Minnie Hauk is another who would be a surprise winner having not held her form this year and Diamond Necklace's supporters were left in tears after seeing the coffin draw come out, she now has a mountain the climb. Benvenuto Cellini has faired much better but there's still a worry about the stable and he's probably just lacking a few gears to win a race like this. Varandir is respected after winning his trial for all he has another step up to make and both the Japanese Horses will have to run career bests to be in the shake up. Kalpana has been steadily backed in the week, especially after the draw and she's now the shortest priced raider. Nothing went right for her in last year's race but she's now a King George winner with a good draw. She's one of the best in Europe and must have a great chance for all the query is that she's had a hard season and was the benefit of how the race panned out at Ascot. It will be hard to time the run here and she's now short enough. Last year's winner Daryz will take a lot of beating and he looked like a horse ready to explode when toying with Bay City Roller in his trial last time out. He clearly doesn't travel well so lines can be drawn on his runs in the UK. The son of Sea The Stars has a great draw and ground which should be ideal. It's a huge task to win back to back renewals of the Arc though and perhaps he's worth opposing at the prices. Maltese Cross has been done no favours by the draw but it's not the end of the world and William Haggas' Sea The Stars colt has shown he can win round this track and was in imperious form at York last time out. The 3 year old has apparently been going great guns on the gallops of late and is tactically versatile. The form has taken some knocks but the course suits his style and won't be as far back as others. He must have a great chance of delivering his trainer a first Arc, 8 years after Sea Of Class's 2nd place finish. The other who is worth siding with is another who ran at Epsom in June, Thundering On. Joseph O'Brien's filly looked a proper Arc prospect when bolting up in the Oaks before losing her form in the Pretty Polly. After an easy time since, she bounced back to form to hack up in a Group 2 last time out and now looks to be coming right again for her biggest assignment. She's had an easier 2nd half of the season than others and has been given the plum draw in stall 3. The trainer couldn't be in much better form and he's enlisted the services of Pierre Charles-Boudot for the biggest occasion which looks a shrewd move. It's a big day, a big race and hopefully we're in store for a big finish.