Haydock & York - Saturday 31st May

 I will be at Stratford tomorrow for an evening jumps meeting but I'll admit it is a pretty sedate affair. Haydock & York take centre stage in the afternoon and I like 1 at each meeting. 

Haydock

15:33, Betfred John Of Gaunt Stakes

Alyanaabi 10/3, 3pts win

I've always been a big fan of this horse ever since I saw him run well in the Dewhurst as a 2 year old. He didn't quite run to form through most of last year for one reason or another but he bounced back to his best to run out a ready winner over course and distance 3 weeks ago and I fancy he'll go on to better things now. 

///

York

14:40, William Hill More Top Prices Handicap

Zayer 14/1, 1pt each-way (4 places)

I was out Sandown to see Zayer turned over at 2/1 in a 5 furlong handicap but nothing went right for Archie Watson's colt that day. He was a real eyecatcher and the fact he's being pitched into a red hot race for his next start suggests he's been going well at home since. He's drawn near the likely pace and a 3 year old won this last year. He's value. 

Kempton - Wednesday 28th May

 19:52, Try Unibet's New Smartview Racecards Fillies' Handicap

Miss Dolly Rocker 9/2, 2pts win

Big things were expected on this 5 year old mare at Ascot 18 days ago when backed down to 9/4 favourite. She finished 3rd that day but looked as though she found the trip too sharp. She's back up in trip now and with the benefit of that run and a 7 pound claimer enlisted, she should be going close. 

Windsor - Monday 26th May

 The final Bank Holiday of the Spring is probably the most low-key from a racing perspective. Windsor probably just about plays host to the best meeting. 

15:20, Blackmore Design And Build Handicap

Haymaker 17/2, 1pt each-way (4 places)

Hughie Morrison's 6 year old goes well at this track and if he improves from his seasonal debut at Nottingham over 5 furlongs then he should be going close here now that he is a pound below his last winning mark. Richard Kingscote takes over in the saddle and he's well drawn in what is an open race. 

///

16:30, Thorn Plant Hire Ltd Handicap

Expert Witness 12/1, 1pt each-way (4 places)

I really liked the chances of this mare at Newbury earlier this month but she got a bit worked up and didn't go in the stalls. That was unlike her but she's brought out again back at a track she won at on her previous start. She's improving all the time and I think there's still plenty more to come. She's appealing at the prices. 

Haydock - Saturday 24th May

 It has been a quiet week on the betting front with not a lot to shout about. It's a quiet time of year now that Chester and York's May meetings have finished. We have Haydock to look forward to tomorrow and there's one horse I want to back. 

15:30, Betfred Temple Stakes

Rumstar 7/2, 3.5pts win
American Affair 7/2, 1pt win (saver)

For me this looks like a 2 horse race. I was at Newmarket to see Rumstar win and I think that was a big effort considering he should improve for it. He'll enjoy the ground here and with proven front runners in the field, he'll get a nice toe into it. He's got bundles of pace and I expect him to take this on his way to a tilt at the King Charles III at Royal Ascot next month. Rapidly improving handicapper American Affair is the big danger on his venture into Group company and I think a saver on him is warented for all that I'm not sure this track will really suit him (beaten here twice last year). 

Windsor - Monday 19th May

 Newbury Saturday was a bit of a disaster punting wise until I managed to come up with the 8th and final winner, Solar Army at 15/2. It helped claw back some of the losses. Some well fancied horses ran very poorly, none less than William Haggas' filly in the Oaks Trial - that was most disappointing. It was a good Lockinge however, even though the winner was unconsidered by some. I feel as though Dancing Gemini had to win yesterday if he was ever going to claim a victory at the top level as those in behind are likely to improve past him now. Rosallion looked in dire need of the run in the prelims so I'd expect him to take plenty of beating at Ascot after what I thought was a cracking effort in defeat. Looking ahead, there's a fair card at Windsor tomorrow evening. 

17:20, Weekend Winners On At The Races Handicap

Faustus 10/1, 0.5pts win

Holly Doyle rides this likeable 7 year old for the first time and that catches the eye. I was at Epsom to see him run last month and he looked in need of it but he now finds himself back on his last winning mark and he's run very well at Windsor in the past. He likes to dominate and this is only a small field so if he comes on for that seasonal debut I think he's overpriced. 

///

18:50, Fitzdares Sprint Series Handicap

Jumbeau 11/2, 0.5pts win

Tom Clover's horses are in great form and his runner here is looking to win this race for the second year on the bounce. This must have been an early season aim and he's only a pound higher than last year. 

Newbury - Saturday 17th May

A cracking day's action in store at Newbury on Saturday, not a lot more you could ask for. 

12:50, Sky Sports Racing Aston Park Stakes

El Cordobes 13/2, 1pt each-way (3 places)

The market is focusing on King's Gambit but he has questions to answer on his first run back after a trip out to the Middle East and Al Aasy isn't one to set your watch by either. Charlie Appleby's 4 year old son of Frankel put up a mighty effort to defy a big weight in a handicap at Newmarket earlier this month and I think he's got the potential to take this step up in grade in his stride.

///

13:25, Highclere Castle Gin Carnarvon Stakes

Ides Of March 5/4, 2pts win

I was a fan of this colt last year and it looks as though he's trained on nicely after putting up a big run to finish 2nd to a good stablemate last time out. He'll take all the beating here.

///

14:00, Trade Nation London Gold Cup Handicap

Genealogy 4/1, 2pts win

This is not the strongest renewal of this handicap ever and I fancy that Coolmore's colt could prove better than a handicapper in time. He's bred to enjoy this trip and will have learned a lot for his effort in the Autumn Stakes at Newmaket in October. 

///

14:35, BoyleSports Lockinge Stakes

Dancing Gemini 7/2, 2pts win

This is a fantastic renewal of England's first all aged Group 1 of the year. Rosallion and Notable Speach both won Classics last year but return from absences and question marks. Rosallion has had well documented injury issues whilst Notable Speech was a bit below par at the Breeders Cup and did put in a couple of stinkers last year. Meanwhile, Dancing Gemini has been carrying all before him this spring and I really liked the way he put the race to bed at Sandown last month. He's got Ryan Moore in the saddle today and a fitness edge over his main rivals. 

///

15:10, Childwickbury Stud Fillies' Trial Stakes

Wonder Star 5/1, 2pts each-way (3 places)

I really liked the way this filly quickened on fast ground at Ascot the last day. Stable knows how to train a classy filly and I think she'll take some beating here. 

Newbury - Friday 16th May

 I was at Salisbury on Thursday for a very pleasant afternoon. There weren't many runners but it was definitely better than being at work! My one bet at York, JM Jungle, finished a gallant second in the opening sprint handicap behind the favourite, American Affair. I expect the winner to keep improving. I will be at Newbury for the next couple of days for the Lockinge meeting and fancy a couple of outsiders in the first two races. 

13:55, Starlight Charity Apprentice Handicap

Racing Demon 12/1 (bet365), 0.5pts each-way (4 places)

Ed de Giles has had two winners from his eight runners so far in May and his runner here, Racing Demon, should strip much fitter for his run at Kempton in April. He's well at home on a fast surface and is now back down to his last winning mark. It's worth noting that he won twice in the month of May last year and he should go well. 

///

14:25, Titan Wealth Handicap

Expert Witness 20/1, 0.5pts each-way (4 places)

Patrick Chammings' five year old mare is a big price considering she won last time out. She is drawn well here in stall five and this fast ground will suit her. She finished second in a thirteen runner handicap over this course and distance last June but has improved a lot since then, so much so that she was tried in Listed company in the Autumn. I think she's come back an even better filly this year since moving stables and although she's four pounds higher in the handicap for winning at Windsor last month, Joe Levey is claiming three pounds off her back to help negate that. The form of that Windsor race was given a big boost at Lingfield last weekend when the third placed Morcar won a nice handicap. This is a step up again for her but she's in form and looks set for a nice run.

York - Thursday 15th May

 I really thought Serenity Prayer put up a huge run to finish 2nd in the Musidora on Wednesday. She was well behind the winner but this was only her 2nd ever run and she will have learnt loads from this. Connections may well point towards the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot next and I will back her if she goes there. I fancy 1 today. 

14:10, Lindum York Handicap

JM Jungle 9/2, 1pt each-way (5 places)

It looks as though you don't want to be drawn high so I will go against the favourite, American Affair, who is drawn in 16 and go with JM Jungle who is berthed in stall 8. He finished 2nd in this race in 2023 from a favourable draw but can be forgiven a lesser run in last year's renewal as he was drawn away from the action. He's got a nice starting position this year and really does enjoy this track. He's more than capable of winning from this mark (93) and will strip fitter for his run last time out. 

York - Wednesday 14th May

 Diamond Cottage travelled well at Chepstow today, just didn't see out the 7 furlongs. Should be watched when dropped in trip. York's big May meeting starts tomorrow and it features a cracking card. 

15:45, Tattersalls Musidora Stakes

Serenity Prayer 5/1, 1pt win

I was at Newbury to see this beautiful daughter of Dubawi make her career debut last month and was most taken with everything about her. I thought she looked like she would learn plenty for the run so the fact that she put in such a profesional effort to despatch her rivals made me think she's a filly worth following. This doesn't look the hottest renewal of the Musidora ever so I think at the prices she's the play. 

Chepstow - Tuesday 13th May

 It's a quiet couple of days until York's season gets under way on Wednesday. There's competitive racing at Chepstow on Tuesday, if a pretty low grade. 

15:50, Why Bet Elsewhere, David Lucas Bookmakers Handicap

Diamond Cottage 7/1, 1pt each-way (4 places)

Charlie Bennett takes his first rides for trainer Malcolm Saunders in 2025. The trainer has only had 5 runners so far this year but did have the first 2 home in a 6 furlong handicap at Salisbury on the 4th May.  The 2nd that day, Diamond Cottage, runs here in search of her first win since 2023 however, it's worth noting that she was well backed the last day and only just missed out at the finish. The fact she's being brought out quickly is encouraging and she is now just too well handicapped to ignore. She's clearly thriving at home and the stable is going well so far this season. She's won twice at the track in the past and everything looks set for a good run. 

Roundup (Jumps Finale & Guineas)

 Apologies for the quiet couple of weeks but what a couple of weeks it has been in the thoroughbred world! I was at Sandown a couple of weeks ago for the jumps season finale but before that I attended the decent Friday card. The first race was won by Jack Channon's filly Queen All Star (5 furlong 3 YO handicap) and she looked a picture in the parade ring. Connections should be looking at stepping this filly into better company as the season goes on and she starts filling into her frame but the horse to take out of the race was the 4th placed favourite Zayer (Archie Watson). It's worth noting that the 3rd placed horse has won since at Chester. Holly Doyle didn't have any luck in the race and this good looking son of Sparspangledbanner will have a race in him this year. The Gosden's Godolphin 3 year old gelding, Fifth Column, won the Esher Cup and I think that was a decent renewal. He should be respected wherever he goes next but keep an eye on The Lost King who finished 3rd here. He's a lovely son of Kingman who looked in need of his seasonal debut and he should step up on this effort. It looked like a very good renewal of the Gordon Richards Stakes (Group 3) but it turned up a surprise as admirable 8 year old gelding Al Aasy rolled back the years to run out a nice winner but I was left with the strong opinion that Almaqam will improve past all of these as the year goes on. He looked well in the parade ring, if a little ring rusty, but the race didn't pan out at all well as he was stuck behind horses and penned in by the winner up the home straight. He'll win a nice pot this year. I was very taken with Roger Teal's Dancing Gemini in the Bet365 Mile (Group 3). He's improving all the time and I suspect he'll go for the Lockinge at Newbury in a week's time. He was a bit overfaced last year so I hope connections don't go to the well too often with this classy son of Camelot who did look as though a step up to 10 furlongs would be within reach later in the summer. Tamfana put up a huge effort under a penalty to finish 2nd on seasonal debut and I think she's in for a big season but both Haatem and Lead Artist were disappointing and the way they folded suggested a leap of faith is needed wherever they go next. The Classic Trial (Group 3) didn't look the strongest renewal and I was left with that impression after the race as well. Coolmore's Swagman looked nice in the prelims and was a commanding winner. I don't think he needs to go up further in trip. He's not got a Derby entry so maybe he'll go to Royal Ascot. 

The Saturday card was a bit of a broken record as Willie Mullins once again dominated and took home the trainers title. When you have the ammunition he does, I can't help but thinking it would be more of a surprise if he didn't win the title every year than if he did! Give It To Me OJ defied top weight in the opening handicap hurdle but one to take note of for next year is Alan King's Mythical Moon. He's physically improved a lot over the winter and should be a horse to follow next year when he steps up in trip. Gaelic Warrior didn't need to run to anywhere near his mark to win the Oaksey Chase as main competition Pic D'orhy pulled up early. I wonder if connections of the winner will take in the King George next season? It was talked about after the race and he would surely go off favourite if they go that way. The Select Hurdle produced a welcome winner for Paul Nicholls and I suspect they will go chasing with him next year and will be kept away from soft conditions. Lucky Place was disappointing but perhaps he has had too hard a season and I imagine he will be a novice chaser to keep an eye on next year. Jonbon's defeat was a bit of a balloon popper on the afternoon but he looked very much like a horse who was had a long hard winter and I don't think this was his true running. The winner, Il Etait Temps, looked very classy but he's clearly had his problems and I would hold fire on backing him for next year's Champion Chase. The Bet365 Gold Cup produced a power packed finish and Sean Bowen (the new McCoy?) got the well backed 9/2 shot Resplendent Grey home in front. I wonder if they will go for something like the Coral Gold Cup at Newbury in November as he looked to travel much better this day and should cope with a slight drop in trip. Although it could all be about Aintree next Spring. 

With the national hunt season over, I travelled up to Newmarket for the Guineas meeting last weekend. The Chaloner Stakes (Listed) for fillies produced a surprise as Henry Candy's Tiger Bay won for the first time since April 2023. I don't think this was a strong renewal and the well beaten favourite, Unequal Love, now has questions to answer. She may head back to the Wokingham next, a race she won last year. The big 6 furlong handicap of the day was won by More Thunder for the Haggas and Marquand combination. He needed every single yard of this to get up on the line and it is surely only a matter of time before connections step him up in trip. I feel he's got more to come though and I suspect the Wokingham will come under strong consideration while the colt is in such fine fettle. I would be keeping him onside for that as the bigger the field the better for this lad I reckon. Rumstar won well in the Palace House Stakes (Group 3) for Johnny Portman and connections are aiming him at the King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot. He's improving all of the time so I don't think that is tilting at windmills. The 2000 Guineas (Group 1) itself was a strange race. Field Of Gold towered over his opposition in the prelims and looked like a much stronger horse than last year. He couldn't run down the winner, Ruling Court, however and it was a ride that ultimately cost Kieran Shoemark dearly. Ruling Court looked every inch a Derby horse after this and I think he must go there with a huge shout, especially given his breeding. Should he be successful at Epsom it sounded like his powerful connections would go in search of the St Leger and the Triple Crown. Field Of Gold should head towards the St James' Palace and I really do think he will take plenty of beating there no matter who rides him. Connections fancy he's a 10 furlong horse in time, which I can believe, and it wouldn't surprise me if he went the rest of the year unbeaten. As for Shadow Of Light, well you couldn't say he didn't stay as he's finished clear of the 4th but connections were talking about the Commonwealth Cup immediately afterwards. I'd be keen to give him another crack at a mile, especially on a flatter track. I don't think there was much in behind the front 3, although Jessica Harrington's Green Impact will improve over further. 

The Sunday card was pretty ordinary and I ended up leaving Newmarket after 4 of the 7 races. However, Falakeyah won the Pretty Polly Stakes (Listed) very well and I thought she was the horse to take out of the whole weekend. Owen Burrows' daughter of French Derby winner New Bay looked outstanding in the parade ring and reminded me a lot of the owner's Oaks winner Taghrooda. I hope this filly goes to Epsom as she's very exciting. As for the 1000 Guineas (Group 1), well I thought it was packed with potential. The winner, Desert Flower, looked well in the prelims and battled to victory in the manner of a filly that could take in the Oaks. She must have a bit chance there. Lake Victoria, however, didn't look anywhere near fit in the parade ring and I though she ran a big race to finish so close to the winner given the circumstances. She apparently goes for the Irish equivalent next and will take plenty of beating there. The 2 to take out of the race at bigger prices were Elwateen and Chantilly Lace. Both were having only their 2nd starts after winning maidens at the back end of 2024 and have both grown well over the winter. I expect both to go on to better things now they have this experience under their belts.