Supreme to be punters’ Silver Lining at Haydock December 16, 2025 AWAY from the Grade One action at Ascot, there’s a competitive card at Haydock with the Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase (2.05pm) the pick of the races. This three-and-a-quarter-mile contest is often a slog, and this year looks no different with attritional conditions forecast, so finding one that thrives when the mud is flying is imperative. [...]
December tis season to see Joly win gold December 9, 2025 CHELTENHAM is the scene of another big Saturday with the feature of their two-day Christmas Meeting being the Support The Hunt Family Fund December Gold Cup (1.50pm), renamed this year in honour of commentator John Hunt and family. Horses that have run in November’s Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham have a very good record [...]
Pick Doc to go one better in the Pennine Handicap December 9, 2025 AWAY from Cheltenham on Saturday, there’s an intriguing card over at Doncaster with several competitive handicaps, including the Pennine Handicap Chase (2.05pm). Richard Hobson’s DOCPICKEDME returns to the race after he was just held in the contest last year. He was headed three fences from home that day, but rallied bravely on the run in, [...]
Back Baxter to blitz his rivals in the Becher December 2, 2025 THERE’s added spice to this Saturday’s Becher Chase (2.40pm), over the Grand National fences at Aintree, with sponsors William Hill putting up a £500,000 bonus for any horse that wins here and goes on to land the National in April. Connections of many of the 19 that are entered will be dreaming of achieving that [...]
Knickerbocker looks sweet for repeat Glory at Sandown December 2, 2025 WITH the Grade One Tingle Creek Chase (3.00pm) on the horizon at Sandown this Saturday, Willie Mullins continues his challenge to retain the British Trainers’ Championship after another profitable weekend for Dan Skelton. Il Etait Temps is a warm order for the Irish trainer, attracting quotes of 4/7 to follow up his impressive Celebration Chase [...]
Special silent auction launched in aid of the Hunt Family Fund November 26, 2025 A special online silent auction has gone live with the proceeds going to the Hunt Family Fund – in memory of the family of BBC Racing Commentator John Hunt and his daughter Amy. With over 25 spectacular items on offer, including behind-the-scenes experiences at Match of the Day and Sky’s Monday Night Football, as well [...]
Changing Man can keep you on Victtorino path to Newbury gold November 25, 2025 THIS weekend signals the first time this season that Irish supremo Willie Mullins has targeted some of British racing’s big pots, and his Trainers’ Championship battle against Dan Skelton is sure to make for fascinating viewing as the campaign goes on. Both trainers are set to be represented in Newbury’s big race on Saturday, the [...]
Derham’s Viyanni looks leading Gerry Feilden contender November 25, 2025 FOLLOWING last weekend’s Betfair Chase kicking off the Grade One action on these shores, Newcastle hosts the first Grade One hurdle event of the season as the Fighting Fifth (2.00pm) takes centre stage at Gosforth Park. It’s a fascinating clash, with new kid on the block The New Lion facing off against Willie Mullins’ [...]
Nail your Couleurs to the mast at Haydock November 18, 2025 SATURDAY brings the first Grade One of the season in Haydock’s Betfair Chase (3.00pm), which offers a first clue to this campaign’s Cheltenham Gold Cup hopefuls. Grey Dawning was second in this race last season, when run down at the finish by the ever-game Royale Pagaille in typically testing Haydock conditions. While the ground shouldn’t [...]
Il Est Francais to fly the flag in Ascot’s 1965 Chase November 18, 2025 THERE is high class action over the sticks at Ascot, with a pair of Grade Two contests in the form of the Ascot Hurdle and the 1965 Chase (1.30pm), and it’s the latter I’m taking a closer look at here. IL EST FRANCAIS heads the ante-post betting for the two-mile-five-furlong contest currently and I think [...]
