Talking Horses

Product Information

Wetherby 2.30 The betting implies a stroll for Ahoy Senor but Saint Palais has progressed with every start over fences, put up a new career-best last time and has a better chance than odds of 3-1 might suggest. Chester 2.05: Seantrabh is well drawn in three and has been dropped 1lb since a promising handicap debut, with useful apprentice Zak Wheatley taking off another 5lb. He had a very tough act to follow, however, as his predecessor, Paul Struthers, had been a shrewd and effective chief executive during a decade in the role. He also had plenty of experience of the cut-and-thrust – and occasional low blows – of racing politics from his time as head of PR for the British Horseracing Authority. Aintree 2.45 The first race of the season over the Grand National fences, and Fantastic Lady, the runner-up in the Topham over the same course in April, has an obvious chance after just a 4lb rise in the weights.

Noel Meade’s dual-purpose gelding has been in the form of his life this year, finishing a close second in the Galway Hurdle in July and then putting up a career-best when fourth, beaten just over a length, in the Irish Cesarewitch three weeks ago. Royal Ascot’s racegoers – Eliza Doolittle excepted – are not generally given to roaring them home like they do at Cheltenham, but it would be no great surprise, after two years away, if they let themselves off the leash a little this week. Ascot 1.30: Shishkin was beaten first time up last season but has several pounds in hand of this Grade Two field and should make a winning return. The statement continued: “He remains in ITU with respiratory support at the Royal Victoria infirmary hospital in Newcastle, but it has been possible to reduce his sedation. For most of the horses, on the other hand, racing in front of a five-figure crowd will be an entirely new experience and not necessarily one all of them will appreciate.Whether he is a genuine 4-5 chance for Saturday’s race is a different question, however, as Protektorat (3.00) came up with the performance of his career to date under very similar conditions last year. The PJA caused controversy in December 2021 by attempting to say that Bryony Frost had only ‘felt’ bullied by Robbie Dunne (pictured), who was banned for 10 months. Photograph: Yui Mok/PA It is right that those discussions are allowed to take place away from the glare of publicity, but we will look to provide an update as soon as possible in light of the existing timelines for the ‘soft launch’ of revised rules on 9 January 2023.” Leopardstown 1.35 Five are unbeaten in Ireland’s only Grade One juvenile hurdle before Cheltenham, while Vauban, a half-length second to Pied Piper on debut, will tie the form to the current Triumph favourite. Ben Siegel, an easy winner in a strong time in November, is overlooked in the market at around 16-1 but has significant scope for improvement and an excellent each-way alternative to the market leaders.

And this is where the British Horseracing Authority will hope to offer a helping hand, via its much-trailed “premierisation” project, which will begin to take shape next year.

Charlie Hills’s four-year-old was caught without cover on desperate ground at Goodwood but travelled well for much of the way until fading inside the final furlong. Orazio (3.35) was previously a creditable sixth at the royal meeting, still looks well handicapped on his earlier winning form at Ascot and Newmarket and a strongly run sprint with a little juice in the ground promises to be his ideal combination. York 1.15 Esquire could offer some value at around 7-1 having posted a useful time for a debutant when winning with plenty in hand at Hamilton last month. Ascot 2.05: The lightly raced Theatre Glory has gone well fresh in the past and could have the measure of the quirky Goshen. Just over half of the runners at a typical Royal Ascot – about 270 out of 500 – are either two or three years old. This year, not a single one of them will have raced in front of a such a large crowd or anything close to it.

At least part of the reason for the growth in Cheltenham’s popularity over the last quarter-century has been the excellence of its marketing and branding. They do not sell just a day at the races, they sell a day at Cheltenham races, as something distinct and unique. And since a premium experience tends to come at a premium price, the fact that their attendance figures remain strong suggests that the racegoers feel, overall, that they are getting what they paid for. But there is no longer any such thing as a low-profile card at Cheltenham, this side of the Festival at least, and Saturday’s meeting at the home of jumping attracted a new record attendance for the day of 19,471.Sandown 2.20 L’Homme Presse has made rapid progress from his successful chasing debut off 122 in December and can complete his rise through the ranks with a Grade One victory here. York 3.05 Maidens are not the most compelling events for betting purposes but Colorada Dancer does at least have some experience on his side. Newmarket 1.25 With two convincing wins in minor events in the book, Per Contra has as much potential as any runner in the field and may have been missed in the market at around 10-1. Chester 2.40: The impeccably-bred Savethelastdance was much improved on her return to action at Leopardstown and will be tough to beat as Aidan O’Brien goes for a fifth Cheshire Oaks success in eight years That said, the Queen had 37 individual runners in Britain in 2022 before her death last month, and more than a third are due to be sold this week. That is a sizeable chunk in anyone’s book, and the extent, if any, to which those horses are replaced will be a guide as to the rate at which the royal racing operation is being scaled down.

This is a very serious injury and at this early time, it is not possible to predict the extent of long-term recovery.” Newmarket 3.15 Possibly less to choose between Gasper De Lemos and Arabian Crown, the favourite, than the betting might suggest so Aidan O’Brien’s colt gets the nod at around 7-2. Arrest was six lengths in front of Adelaide River, Aidan O’Brien’s sole runner in the Vase, in Paris seven months ago and has nothing to fear from that rival on their juvenile form, but Hadrianus (3.15), a stable companion of Dubai Mile at the Charlie Johnston yard, could pose more of a challenge. Sandown 1.15 All eight runners go to post with a chance but Rikoboy looks overpriced at around 6-1 after a promising return from a 10-month break last month. The traditional two-week cycle of trials for the Epsom Classics get under way at Chester on Wednesday when Arrest, a possible final Derby ride for Frankie Dettori, will go to post as the odds-on favourite for the Chester Vase.

This time, he faces another odds-on shot in Bravemansgame, the seven-length runner-up in this year’s Gold Cup, as well as Corach Rambler, the Grand National winner, and a high-class course specialist in Royale Pagaille.