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4th June 2013 - GLOOMY NAME, BRIGHT FUTURE?Following a busy week of British Racing, the BHA Handicappers have plenty to discuss in this week's Blog. Stephen Hindle looks back at Thursday’s Group 3 Henry II Stakes at Sandown, whilst Chris Nash assesses the most exciting finish of the weekend -... |
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21st May 2013 - SOCIETY ROCKS THE KNAVESMIRE In this week's Blog, Stewart Copeland assesses Society Rock's victory in the Duke of York Stakes, whilst Stephen Hindle explains Mad Moose's rise in the weights following his second to Mount Athos in the Ormonde Stakes at Chester. SOCIETY ROCKS TH... |
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14th May 2013 – FAHEY TO THE FORE IN CHESTER CUPIn this week’s Blog, Stephen Hindle discusses the Chester Cup, won by Marwan Koukash’s Address Unknown, whilst Dominic Gardiner-Hill makes sense of the QIPCO 1,000 Guineas that provided Richard Hughes with his first British Classic win on Sky Lantern... |
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7th May 2013 - A NEW DAWN The QIPCO 2,000 Guineas might not have lived up to its match-race billing but it will certainly live long in the memory following a dominant display from Dawn Approach. Dominic Gardiner-Hill takes this opportunity to put his five-length hammering of... |
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25th April 2013 - TORONADO BLOWS AWAY CRAVEN RIVALSThe Flat season continued to gain momentum last week as Newmarket hosted the Craven meeting and Newbury held its two day Spring meeting. This week both Dominic Gardiner-Hill and Graeme Smith assess Guineas trials and Guineas hopefuls, including the i... |
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9th April 2013 - AN AWESOME AINTREEThis year’s Aintree festival will be remembered for the fantastic spectacle and undisputed success of the Grand National and Phil Smith will be dedicating an entire piece to the race in his upcoming Head of Handicapping blog. There was loads more qua... |
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2nd April 2013 - IF AT FIRST YOU DON'T SUCCEEDDoncaster’s contingency plan to stage the Lincoln meeting a week later proved well worth the effort. Saturday belatedly saw the traditional curtain raiser of the Flat season and rarely can a big handicap have been run that’s left the handicapper feel... |
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26th March 2013 - BACK ON THE GRASSWith Britain having felt the wrath of the weather gods in the last week, the best of the action both on the Flat and over Jumps unfortunately fell by the wayside. The Flat Turf season did at least get out of the starting blocks at Doncaster on Friday... |
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19th March 2013 - FESTIVAL FEVER The excitement of Racing’s most magical four days is now behind us and the record books have duly been undated, and here we give our take on the happenings of Cheltenham last week. Needless to say it’s a bumper edition, and there’s also Phil Smith’s... |
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12th March 2013 - ONE FOR THE LITTLE MAN We keep hearing how the Nicholls and Henderson stables are winning all the big races but Saturday’s Imperial Cup proved quite the opposite with the small Laura Mongan-operation gaining by far its biggest success, with a little-known jockey in the sa... |
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5th March 2013 - AHEAD OF THE HANDICAPPERIf there is a trend in this week’s piece it’s horses we’ve found difficult to nail down. From a French import to a pair of prolific winners, a couple of our NH handicappers go into how their skills have been tested in recent weeks. Further on, Domini... |
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26th February 2013 - FLAT OUT Saturday saw the biggest day of the all-weather season so far with Lingfield's Winter Derby Trial card, and with the NH assessors snowed under finalising the weights for the Cheltenham handicaps that's the focus of this week's blog. We lead off with... |
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19th February 2013 - RIGHT ON CUEThe highest quality race of the week was undoubtedly the Ascot Chase and it saw Cue Card finally achieve the Grade 1 success he'd long promised. Mark Olley gives his opinion on what he achieved and its significance for the future, whilst a couple of ... |
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12th February 2012 - SUPER SATURDAYNewbury’s card billed as Super Saturday certainly lived up to its name. My Tent Or Yours stamped himself as one of the very best novices of recent years as he blew the feature Betfair Hurdle apart, and the also-progressive Silviniaco Conti completed ... |
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5th February 2013 - LAYING DOWN A MARKA couple of the better Novices either side of the Irish Sea completed their preparations for next month’s Cheltenham Festival during the last racing week and our team give their verdicts on two successes achieved in vastly different styles. There wer... |
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29th January 2013 - TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONIf there was one meeting over the course of the last week that ‘had’ to beat the weather it was Cheltenham, and Saturday’s card provided both a thrilling spectacle, with several tight finishes, and numerous pointers for the Festival itself. Our NH te... |
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22nd January 2013 - A YEAR TO REMEMBERWith British racing hit so badly by the weather in the last week, it’s something of a saving grace for our blog that we published the World Thoroughbred Rankings within the period. Phil Smith discusses the methods used in reassessing and adjusting so... |
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16th January 2013 - STARS OF THE FUTURE The trend in this week’s Blog is very much a look to the future, in fact none of the horses mentioned have ever set foot in handicap company. We lead off with a couple of notable performances in the novice hurdle ranks and then Matthew Tester runs u... |
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2nd January 2013 - FESTIVE HIGHLIGHTS There were more than enough meetings that beat the elements over the Christmas period to provide a mouth-watering spectacle and, if anything, even more championship contenders emerged from the host of top-class racing. Our NH handicappers are out in... |
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18th December 2012 - ZARKANDAR ROCKS THE CHAMPIONZARKANDAR ROCKS THE CHAMPION The latest meeting at Cheltenham saw the return of reigning Champion Hurdler Rock On Ruby in what proved the most compelling clash of the season so far over timber. Dave Dickinson gives his take on the form and the signi... |
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11th December 2012 - THAT TINGLING FEELINGSprinter Sacre might have missed his prep at Cheltenham three weeks back but the highest rated novice chaser in Classifications history nevertheless gave an imperious performance in Saturday’s Tingle Creek. He’s had the headline writers reaching for ... |
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4th December 2012 - FLAME BURNS BRIGHTThe last week of racing was hit pretty badly by the weather but the headline weekend fixtures survived and made for compelling viewing. A couple of last season’s leading novices went head-to-head in the first 2m Grade 1 of the season over hurdles, wh... |
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27th November 2012 - ANOTHER YEAR, ANOTHER HORSE, SAME RESULTSaturday saw the eighth running of the Betfair Chase at Haydock and the prize yet again made its way back to Ditcheat, with Silviniaco Conti proving an able replacement for Kauto Star as he toppled the highest-rated chaser in training. Phil Smith und... |
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20th November 2012 - OPEN GOALSThe weekend saw the first of the NH season’s flagship meetings in Cheltenham’s Paddy Power Open, and it offered a host of top-class Jumping. Highlights of the first two days are discussed in this week’s edition, and with Sunday’s racing falling into ... |
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13th November 2012 - BEST OF BOTH WORLDSIt’s an exciting time of year on the National Hunt scene as the real big guns emerge from their summer at grass, and the most thrilling performance of the week undoubtedly came in the Haldon Gold Cup, which is discussed in depth as this week’s lead p... |
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6th November 2012 - GOLDBACK MAKES IMPRESSIVE STARTWith Phil Smith on duty at the Breeders’ Cup in the States I had the honour of looking after the 3mile+ chases last week and there were a couple of high-class performances to enjoy, writes Mark Olley. The first was in the competitive looking Unite... |
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30th October 2012 - EXCELEBRATION IMPRESSES AT ASCOT (PART TWO)Following on from the action on Champions Day at Ascot last Saturday, I have been taken to task on various internet sites and by one daily paper journalist in particular, writes Dominic Gardiner-Hill. They all took exception to my comments that E... |
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23rd October 2012 - EXCELEBRATION IMPRESSES IN QE IIIf ever a horse had regrets about being born in the same year as Frankel it would be Excelebration, writes Dominic Gardiner-Hill. Five times he has taken on the world’s highest-rated horse and five times he has come off second-best – but if he ha... |
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16th October 2012 - DAWN DOMINATES AS HE APPROACHS CHAMPION STATUSThank goodness that Newmarket missed the sort of rain that fell on York, writes Matthew Tester. When Group 1 races are run in a bog you do not find out which was the best horse. You find out who coped best with the conditions. The ground on Futu... |
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9th October 2012 - MINCE BUBBLING UP NICELYSaturday’s meeting at Ascot saw the highly progressive three-year-old filly Mince, one of the rising stars of the domestic sprint scene, take her first step in to Group company, writes Stewart Copeland. It proved her sternest test to date but one s... |
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2nd October 2012 - ANGEL MEANS NO BUST FOR TREGONINGOn Saturday at Newmarket we saw the running of the time honoured Cambridgeshire handicap (first run in 1839), writes Greg Pearson. As always, this was a hotly contested handicap with a strong case able to be made as to why the majori... |
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25th September 2012 - RYAN’S EXPRESSThis year’s Ayr Western meeting saw for the first time all three big sprints, Gold, Silver and Bronze run on the Saturday, writes Stewart Copeland. The fact they were run at all was a great credit to all concerned at Ayr, having been hit by a del... |
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18th September 2012 - A SHAME CAMELOT WAS BEATEN BUT HE OWES US NOTHINGIn any other season, a potential Triple Crown winner would be the talk of racing throughout the summer. In 2012 however, we have been treated to the freak that is Frankel, and Camelot, a superstar in his own right, has been somewhat overshadowed as ... |
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11th September 2012 - ROCK FINALLY GETS A GROUP ONE ENCOREThe latest leg of the Champions Sprint Series was the Group One Betfred Sprint Cup run at Haydock on Saturday, writes Chris Nash . The market was headed by two horses that had shown quality form in Group race sprints this year, Ortensia and Bated B... |
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4th September 2012 - NO FRANKEL THIS WEEK BUT ANOTHER POPULAR HORSE TAKES CENTRE STAGESurely the most popular victory of the weekend came in the feature race at Beverley on Saturday when Borderlescott won the five furlong Listed Bullet Sprint Stakes, writes Chris Nash . This 10 year-old has an impressive CV headed by back to back ... |
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28th August 2012 - DETTORI FINDS FOE A FRIENDHighlight of the week was undoubtedly the latest chapter in the Frankel story which is dealt with in detail by Phil Smith in his Head of Handicapping blog. However there were plenty of other good races for my handicapping colleagues to get their teet... |
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21st August 2012 - EXCELEBRATION SHINES WITH NO FRANKEL IN LINE UPThe Haras de Fresney-le-Buffard Jacques le Marois was never going to crown a champion miler this year with Frankel having set his sights on York’s International instead, but it still endorsed his superiority in the division as his perennial whipping ... |
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14th August 2012 - USUALLY THE BRIDESMAID, FINALLY THE BRIDE!Finally the Olympics are over! My main feeling is disappointment, but a part of me is glad that I can now get back to some sort of normal working schedule, having spent most of the last two weeks working all sorts of bizarre hours to compensate for ... |
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7th August 2012 - GLORIOUS FRANKEL NOT EXTENDEDWhilst the majority of the nation were glued to the world’s finest human athletes doing battle in and around London, those that turned up at Goodwood last Wednesday were able to pay their respects to the finest equine athlete on the planet – and, onc... |
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31st July 2012 - SMALL SUSSEX FIELD AWAITS SUPER FRANKELSo, at the time of writing just three horses (including his trusty pacemaker Bullet Train) have stood their ground to take on Frankel in Wednesday’s Qipco Sussex Stakes at Goodwood – from a handicapping perspective it is a little disappointing but wh... |
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24th July 2012 - DANEDREAM BACK TO SOMEWHERE NEAR HER BESTThe International Handicappers were delighted last Saturday when our joint-champion middle distance horse from 2011, the filly Danedream, returned to somewhere near her best in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, writes Head of Handicappin... |
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17th July - MIGHTY MAYSON TRIUMPHS IN JULY CUP MUDBATHThis year’s build up to the six-furlong Group 1 Darley July Cup at Newmarket, like so many races this summer, was dominated by the weather, with daily bulletins on whom, or not, would run, writes Stewart Copeland. Already riding soft on the Friday,... |
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10th July 2012 - SO NEAR YET SO FARHH FOR GODOLPHINThe 2012 Coral Eclipse Stakes was naturally weakened somewhat by the untimely late defection of SO YOU THINK, writes Greg Pearson . We still had a field of nine go to post, and with 5 individual Group 1 winners engaged it promised to be an enthral... |
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Tuesday 3rd July 2012 - ILE DE RE REIGNS SUPREME CHIPS ARE DOWN ON PLATE WINNER FOR McCAIN Put your sunglasses on as I’m about to blind you with statistics, writes Stephen Hindle. ILE DE RE has just landed the Northumberland Plate carrying 9 st 3 lb, which is the most weight carried to victory ... |
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Tueday 26th June 2012 - FRANKEL'S ON THE UP FRANKEL-LY A DEMOLITION Somewhere around 2.33pm last Tuesday somebody asked me the question how I felt having seen Frankel’s demolition of the Queen Anne field – “bloody relieved” was my immediate and totally honest answer, writes Dominic Gardiner-... |
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19th June 2012- HANDICAPPER RAISES THE WHITE FLAG JOLLY ROGER HAS HANDICAPPER RAISING WHITE FLAG!! With a pedigree that smacks more of Ballet or Opera, being by Oratorio out of a Sadler’s Wells mare, Jolly Roger had not hitherto looked particularly well named, writes David Dickinson. Howev... |
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12th June 2012 - EYEING UP SOME CAVIAROne 6f handicap run at Newmarket on Saturday produced a decent finish fought out by four quality sprinters. The winner was MIRZA who started the season winning off a rating of 94 and took this contest from a mark of 98 by ¾ length from ES QUE LOVE, ... |
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5th June - HORSES FOR COURSES HORSES FOR COURSES It’s well documented that Epsom is a unique track and both Pattern Races over the extended 1 mile on Friday’s card saw a horse with proven ability on those gradients run above what might have been expected, writes Graeme Smith .... |
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29th May - BREATH TAKING TEMPLE STAKES WELL UP TO STANDARD The most prestigious 5 furlong race of the season so far, the Group 2 Temple Stakes, was run at Haydock on Saturday and it looked a decent renewal opines Chris Nash . Bated Breath beat Sole Power by a neck with ... |
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22nd May: FRANKEL - SIMPLY OUTSTANDINGIt’s quite a responsibility assessing a performance that might be the best seen on a racetrack anywhere in the world for 25 years confesses Dominic Gardiner-Hill . The internationalisation of racing has led to all the major racing nations (bar South... |
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15th May - UNDONE BY SOME MERLIN MAGICMy Saturday morning started by researching the Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (formerly the Swinton) writes Dave Dickinson . One of our aims is competitive betting in handicaps, so one look at Page 73 of the Racing Post on Saturday and my face mus... |
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8th May 2012 - CAMELOT COMES TO THE TABLEThe hype and the subsequent performance might not have been of Frankel proportions but Camelot justified his position as joint top two year old of 2011 and pleased every headline writer in the land when landing the Qipco 2000 Guineas in thrilling sty... |
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1st May 2012 - SANCTUAIRE FLOATS JOHN’S BOATWith its proximity to the Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown festivals, Sandown’s Celebration Chase has tended to suffer from a touch of ‘After the Lord Mayor’s Show’ syndrome. Not this year! Writes John de Moraville . Saturday’s Grade 2 showdown,... |
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24th April 2012 - BEST OF BOTH WORLDSThere was something for everyone as far as the racing schedule went last week with the new Flat season really kicking into gear at Newmarket and then Newbury, whilst the NH bandwagon rolled north of the border to Ayr for the Scottish Grand National m... |
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17th April 2012 - MERSEYSIDE MAGIC The most closely-fought Grand National finish in memory is discussed fully in Phil Smith’s forthcoming Head of Handicapping blog. However, there were plenty of other top-class races to get the teeth into on the supporting cards too, and all are cove... |
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10th April 2012 - THE HUNDRED CLUB We expect the NH handicappers to be out in force next week following Aintree’s showcase meeting and this week sees a shorter piece concentrating on the Flat. Our 1m handicapper Dominic Gardiner-Hill runs the rule over a good-quality meeting that too... |
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3rd April 2012 - FLAT OUTSaturday saw a bumper day of action on the Flat, the turf season opening at Doncaster, Kempton staging one of the best polytrack cards of the entire year and Meydan hosting the world’s richest race in the Dubai World Cup. Our team of Flat handicapper... |
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27th March 2012 - CHANGING EMPHASIS The National Hunt team still have big meetings at Aintree and Sandown to look forward to but Saturday was a definite sign that spring is here as Flat racing took centre stage for the first time this year. Lingfield’s card saw the first pattern race ... |
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20th March 2012 - THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL A fantastic week and we have a bulging blog. Phil Smith leads off with his Gold Cup thoughts in the Head of Handicapping Blog and the other five NH Handicappers have turned out to have their say here. There are reflections on the standings of Champi... |
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13th March 2012 - SETTING UP THE BONUS Saturday saw the tradition precursor to Cheltenham in Sandown’s Imperial Cup card and the winners of both big hurdle races look set to turn out quickly at Prestbury Park next week, Paintball in search of the bumper bonus for winning at both fixtures... |
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6th March 2012 - HERE THERE AND EVERYWHEREThere was anything but a second-class feel to the last racing week despite its proximity to Cheltenham with big races all over the country on Saturday. Aerial edged a pulsating finish to the Grade 3 handicap at Newbury and there was plenty of other g... |
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28th February 2012 - TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS Saturday proved a big day in the run-up to the Triumph Hurdle, with several of the leading contenders completing their preparations at Kempton and Fairyhouse, and there was a real shake-up in the betting in the aftermath. Kempton was also the scene ... |
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21st February 2012 - CHELTENHAM POINTERSA proper week of NH racing at long last, and there were a host of potential pointers towards Cheltenham. From the rescheduled Betfair day at Newbury on Friday to three top-class cards the following afternoon there was plenty to take in, and our NH te... |
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14th February 2012 - GETTING GOING AGAINAnother depleted week due to the snow, but there was quality action both over the Jumps and on all-weather at the weekend, and both Dave Dickinson and Stewart Copeland give their take on it. Also, Greg Pearson highlights a case that shows lofty rises... |
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7th February 2012 - FEELING THE CHILLThere hasn’t been an awful lot of racing in the last seven days, with the loss of the big weekend NH cards proving a real disappointment, but whilst we’re a bit light on flagship horses in this week’s blog our team have picked out several noteworthy ... |
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31st January 2012 - DRESS REHEARSAL Last weekend saw the last of Cheltenham’s pre-Festival fixtures in the shape of ‘Trials Day’. It was chiefly Midnight Chase and Big Buck’s who hogged the majority of the limelight but there’s weren’t the only noteworthy performances so far as the Fe... |
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24th January 2012 - SHINING KNIGHTThe emphasis returns to Jumping in this week’s blog and it was good quality racing at that. Somersby finally enjoyed his day in the sun at Ascot on Saturday and John de Moraville gives his thoughts on what Henrietta Knight’s stable star actually prov... |
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17th January 2012 - LOOKING TO THE FUTURE This week’s blog chiefly pays homage to the year of Frankel in the wake of the recent publication of the World Thoroughbred Rankings, and Dominic Gardiner-Hill not only explains the reasoning behind his rating but also looks forward to 2012 and asse... |
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10th January 2012 - THE DAY OF RECKONING It may seem strange for a January blog to concentrate mainly on Flat racing, but this week sees the unveiling of the World Thoroughbred Rankings for the 2011 season and both Phil Smith and Matthew Tester take the opportunity to put some of the h... |
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3rd January 2012 - CHALLOW VICTORY When all the unwrapping of presents and family gatherings are done with, Christmas is a time to enjoy some top-quality jumps racing. Our crack team of National Hunt handicappers are back to give you the lowdown on some of the best action over the f... |
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20th December 2011 - HERE THERE AND EVERYWHERE There are plenty of air-miles racked up in this week’s blog. It all starts at Ascot with Europe’s most valuable handicap hurdle, on which point Dave Dickinson answers a few critics from last week. Things quickly move on to one horse’s journey acros... |
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13th December 2011 - SHOWING BACKBONE Another week brought another big National Hunt Saturday. It was a day for tight finishes at Cheltenham and Quantitativeeasing showed real backbone in a tight three-way go up the hill in the feature Spinal Research Gold Cup. Mark Olley gives his vie... |
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6th December 2011 - SIZING UP THE TINGLE CREEK Saturday saw the reigning two-mile Champion show some of the young guns how it’s done in the Tingle Creek, and John de Moraville gives his verdict on just how high a standard Sizing Europe is setting a present. Mark Olley runs the rule over a coupl... |
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29th November 2011 - AHEAD OF THE HANDICAPPER We have some variety on offer this week with both Flat and jumps covered. The highlight of the week was of course the Hennessy meeting and a feature on the big race itself can be found in Phil Smith’s Head of Handicapping blog. In this section you c... |
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22nd November 2011 - SHAPING UP There’s a lot to cover in this week’s blog, with the period top and tailed by showcase weekends at Cheltenham and then Haydock and Ascot. Kauto Star’s heroics are dealt with separately in Phil Smith’s Head of Handicapping blog but pretty much every... |
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15th November 2011 - THE OPEN Last weekend saw the first of the NH season’s flagship meetings at Cheltenham and it certainly didn’t disappoint. The Paddy Power Gold Cup was, as ever, the highlight and Great Endeavour’s popular success predictably leads this week’s blog. There w... |
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8th November 2011 - A COUPLE FOR THE FUTURE The NH handicappers take responsibility for this week’s blog and the hurdles team of Dave Dickinson and Martin Greenwood each flag up progressive sorts we could hear a lot more of in the coming months. Also, Mark Olley touches on what proved an exce... |
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1st November 2011 - AL IN THE ASCENDANCY There were no fewer than three meetings on Saturday that staged either graded or listed action and all feature in this week’s blog. Weird Al predictably takes top billing following his step up the chasing ladder in the Charlie Hall, and John de Mora... |
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25th October 2011 - ROLLING OUT THE BIG GUNS We’ve reached the time of year where the Turf Flat season draws to a close and the National Hunt scene cranks up a notch. Saturday saw the final Group 1 of the British Flat season and Matthew Tester gives his views on whether a star was born as Cam... |
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18th October 2011 - BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY The richest day in British racing history brought together the finest horses in Europe and a large and enthusiastic crowd, and it proved very much a day for the stars to shine. There were returning heroes and Classic waltzes, but above all the day b... |
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11th October 2011 - OF THINGS YET TO COME!This week we look both forward and backwards, writes blog editor Martin Greenwood . We preview Saturday’s big race and analyse last week’s main races. Deputy Head of Handicapping Dominic Gardiner-Hill sets the scene… So, all roads to lead to Asc... |
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4th October 2011 - BLISSFULThis week the Arc weekend gets rightful exposure, writes blog editor Martin Greenwood . Phil Smith will also be reporting from Longchamp on his Head of Handicapping blog. We also visit Ascot’s big meeting. Stephen Hindle on a verteran still doing... |
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27th September 2011 - HEADSCRATCHERThis week events at Newmarket take centre stage, writes blog editor Martin Greenwood. 2-y-o assessor Matt Tester on his big races… My championship races kicked off this week and they gave me pleasure and a headache in equal measure. The two G... |
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19th September 2011 - GIVE ME FIVEThis week the sprinters take centre stage, writes blog editor Martin Greenwood. Chris Nash on the top speedsters… There were two Group 3 5f races run last week and both were won by horses with realistic claims in the higher grade sprints still... |
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13th September 2011 - MARVEL UNMASKEDIt’s been a defining week in the staying division and Masked Marvel topped the bill in no uncertain terms, proving himself a high-class colt on his first try at the St Leger trip as he stamped his authority on a record-breaking renewal. There was a... |
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6th September 2011 - BEST SPRINT CUP THIS CENTURYChris Nash dealt with the Group 1 Betfred Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday. As it featured most of of the highest rated sprinters in Europe he felt it would go some way to establish a pecking order in this division. The race didn’t disappoint him as... |
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30th August 2011 - CELEBRATION TIMEThis week we take a look at the best races up to and including one mile, writes blog editor Martin Greenwood . CELEBRATION TIME Graeme Smith reveals the figures behind the big mile race… The Group 2 Celebration Mile at Goodwood didn’t prove ... |
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23rd August 2011 - SOMETHING FOR THE WEEKENDThis week our attention turns to Yorkshire with the four day Ebor meeting dissected in detail, writes blog editor Martin Greenwood . We also have room for a high-class hurdle performance at Perth. Stephen Hindle with the best of the long distance... |
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16th August 2011 - GIVE ME THE MOONLIGHTThis week we feature several fast-improving youngsters who are sure to make further headlines, writes blog editor Martin Greenwood Stewart Copeland on the latest names bidding for the sprinting crown… Barely a week goes by at present without a... |
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9th August 2011 - OVER THE CLIFFThis week saw the retirement of a top-class miler, writes blog editor Martin Greenwood . We offer an appraisal of his illustrious career, as well as a tribute to another legend of the Turf, Trainer Barry Hills. Deputy Head of handicapping Dominic ... |
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2nd August 2011 - WORLD BEATER?This week we quite rightly concentrate on events in Sussex last week, writes blog editor Martin Greenwood . We also have space for an article from the Galway Festival... Deputy Head of Handicapping and mile specialist Dominic Gardiner-Hill on a tr... |
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26th July 2011 - PUT UP THE BUNTING!This week we flag up the best middle distance performances from both sides of the Irish Sea, writes blog editor Martin Greenwood , including the headline grabbing King George. We have a further three articles, two of which look forward to events at ... |
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19th July 2011 - VIVA JUMP RACING!This week we turn our attentions to the NH scene and comment on the biggest jump meeting of the summer, writes blog editor Martin Greenwood . For fans of the Flat we offer news on two very progressive types, one a stayer and one a sprinter. RASEN ... |
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12th July 2011 - DREAM TURNERThis week we concentrate on the biggest story of the week, with not one but two articles on Dream Ahead, before we up in trip to assess the milers, writes blog editor Martin Greenwood. Stewart Copeland on a very special day… For a horse unbeat... |
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5th July 2011 - GOOD KNIGHTThis week we concentrate on the supporting races on the Eclipse meeting at Sandown, Phil Smith will discuss the big race on his Head of handicapping blog soon, writes blog editor Martin Greenwood. Deputy Head of handicapping Dominic Gardiner-Hill... |
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28th June 2011 - COALS TO NEWCASTLE This week we start with the stayers and then drop dramatically in distance, writes blog editor Martin Greenwood. HE’LL BE BACK Greg Pearson reports on an historic race… Saturday’s £150,000 Northumberland Plate saw a field of nineteen runner... |
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21st June 2011 - ROYAL ASCOT It’s been just about the busiest week of the year for our team of Flat handicappers but there hasn’t been a single complaint. Royal Ascot is one thing, but this year’s meeting proved something else. From a blistering start with two mouth-watering 1m... |
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14th June 2011 - ALL POINTS TO ASCOT This week we peruse the thoughts of the 2-y-o handicapper with Royal Ascot on the horizon, and also look at the sprinting and novice hurdle scenes, writes blog editor Martin Greenwood. . Matt Tester gives his early thoughts about the 2-y-o scene… ... |
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7th May 2011 - DERBY DAY This week we concentrate on the big races from Epsom, writes blog editor Martin Greenwood. We also have an article on a horse much lower down the ratings scale... DERBY DAY Stephen Hindle on what he knows about the French… The big story i... |
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31st May 2011 - SPRINTERS AND STAYERSThis week we focus on both ends of the distance scale, writes blog editor Martin Greenwood . Starting with the speedsters and finishing with the stamina merchants. BREATHLESS Stewart Copeland reflects on a performance by a most progressive spri... |
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24th May 2011 - MAY, THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!With June, and the Derby, Oaks and Royal Ascot in touching distance, we concentrate on the big Flat races here and abroad. Then, in our last article, we present an example of the trials and tribulations of the Handicapper/Trainer experience, writes ... |
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17th May 2011 - MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS? This week members of our Flat team assess the very best races from York and Newbury and look forward to future engagements, writes blog editor Martin Greenwood HANNON FODDER Deputy Head of Handicapping Dominic Gardiner-Hill on some mouth-wate... |
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10th May 2011 - NORTH AND SOUTHThis week we visit the North West and the London boundary for our blog, which mixes Flat and hurdling, writes blog editor Martin Greenwood . LOCAL HERO Stephen Hindle from the Roodeye… There was a local success in the 2011 running of the Ches... |
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3rd May 2011 - FLAT OUTAction on the level really stepped up a gear last week, and members of our Flat team bring news of all the top races, starting quite rightly with what’s looks a genuine superstar, writes blog editor Martin Greenwood . TO BE FRANKEL Deputy Head... |
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26th April 2011 - STRETCHING THEIR LEGSThis week has seen the culmination of the latest NH season and more potential stars of the summer stretching their legs in public for the first time this spring. Dominic Gardiner-Hill was certainly impressed by the return to action of last year’s 200... |
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19th April 2011 - WALKING THE WALKWinters are made for dreaming in Flat racing, but Craven week is the time when the talking has to stop. The last seven days have seen no fewer than five recognised Guineas trials run in Britain, supported by a host of middle-distance springboards, ye... |
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12th April 2011- MERSEYSIDE MAGICAll roads led to Aintree this week and the form of many of the Championship events from Cheltenham was put under the microscope for the first time. It wasn’t just those who went into battle again that came away with their reputations bolstered or kno... |
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5th April 2011 - BACK ON THE LEVELIt was Catterick as opposed to Doncaster that kicked off the Flat turf season this time but the best of the action from week one was undoubtedly on Town Moor, and Dominic Gardiner-Hill suggests the Spring Mile, a consolation race to the Lincoln, migh... |
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29th March 2011 - SPRING IS IN THE AIRThe clocks have gone forward, the daffodils are out and attentions are beginning to turn to the Flat. Next week sees the resumption of Flat turf racing in Britain, and this week has seen the resolution of the winter programme, from Luke Morris gainin... |
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22nd March 2011 - FESTIVAL FEVERAfter months of anticipation the waiting was finally over this week. Twenty-seven races run over the course of four days made for the most enthralling and pulsating of Cheltenham Festivals, and the NH handicappers have come out in force this week to ... |
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15th March 2011- CALM BEFORE THE STORMWith Cheltenham upon us we factor in a horse that can bring home a very important double, writes blog editor Martin Greenwood. We also feature two Flat horses that seem better the older they get BLOW YOUR BONUS? David Dickinson on this year’s po... |
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8th March 2011- FEELING THE HEATThings began to hot up out in Dubai this week with the biggest day of the Carnival so far featuring several trials for Dubai World Cup night, and, following an excellent evening for the Brits, Stephen Hindle and Greg Pearson assess the fallout. Als... |
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28th February 2010- SHOW YOUR WORKINGSSaturday saw just about the last of the recognised Cheltenham Festival trials form part of an excellent card at Kempton, and whilst Quinz took the most valuable race on the afternoon in the shape of the Racing Post Chase Mark Olley explains that it c... |
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22nd February 2011- NORMAL SERVICE RESUMEDA much less eventful seven days than the previous week with most fixtures thankfully going ahead safely and as planned. There were a handful of trials for the big 2m hurdles on day one of the Cheltenham Festival, and Mark Olley gives his views on the... |
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15th February 2011- HIGHS AND LOWSUnfortunately racing made the headlines for sad reasons last weekend and we send our condolences to those connected with the two horses who sadly lost their lives at Newbury on Saturday. The abandonment of that meeting also left a something of a ho... |
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8th February 2011- BIG MATCH PRACTICEThe latest week saw the Grand National entries close, but the weights won’t be finalised until 15th of the month and otherwise it’s been a relatively standard seven days for the team. The main talking points in the run up to Saturday were a couple of... |
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1st February 2011- TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONSCheltenham’s Trials meeting was undoubtedly the highlight from the last seven days on the racecourse, and the fallout is dealt with both here and in Phil Smith’s Head of Handicapping blog . This week also looks a good time to outline the sort of cr... |
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25th January 2011- STILL THE MASTER?A slightly less hectic seven days than the previous week but still plenty to get our teeth into. Whilst Peddlers Cross was robbed of his chance to respond to Binocular’s performance the previous Saturday by the Haydock frosts there was still a qualit... |
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18th January 2011- JUVENILE SQUABBLESIt’s been a momentous seven days for the handicapping team. Tuesday saw the unveiling of the World Thoroughbred Rankings in London and Wednesday brought no shortage of criticism in certain areas of the media, which Matthew Tester does his best to a... |
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21st December 2010- PRE-CHRISTMAS CRACKERS AT HOME AND AWAYThe weather has done its best to decimate the British racing programme, but not a single snowflake fell at Sha Tin the weekend before last, where British horses had a terrific meeting - read all about Mastery's scorching success in the Vase. We also ... |
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14th December 2010- CHRISTMAS FEASTA bumper pre-Christmas edition for you this week, with many of the week's top jumping performances highlighted. There's also a glance or two at events on "the level", including a brief dispatch from our correspondent in East Asia... Neil Young - Blo... |
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7th December 2010- NO BUSINESS LIKE SNOW BUSINESSWith the jumps scene blizzarded and frozen into oblivion, this week's handicappers' blog is focussed entirely on what we might call the "summer" game: and we cast our net far and wide, our first port of call being the Tokyo suburb of Fuchu... A RI... |
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30th November 2010- HENNESSY REFLECTIONSWith champion hurdlers and Gold Cup winners running in their droves this weekend, this week we take a look at he performances of the champs and some of their rivals. OUT OF THE HANDICAP What a shame. Just like last year the weather appears to be d... |
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23rd November 2010- AHEAD OF THE HANDICAPPERAnother very busy week on the handicapping front as the jumps season really starts to kick into higher gear. A couple of fast-improving handicap hurdlers well-placed by connections see Martin Greenwood bewailing his lot, while we also take a look at ... |
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16th November 2010- MORE THAN JUST JOSHINGAfter a bit of a "quiet 'un" last week, we present more of a bumper edition of the blog - covering big races over the jumps at Cheltenham, and casting an eye further afield at goings-on over the channel at Saint-Cloud. Meanwhile, jumps handicapper Ma... |
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9th November 2010- DOWN UNDER UP NORTH AND OVER THE STICKSA globetrotting week on the handicapping front, with the assessors giving their verdicts on performances recorded in North Yorkshire, Surrey, Somerset - and the State of Victoria... 'SUPER TUESDAY' AT FLEMINGTON... AND CATTERICK It's not often tha... |
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2nd November 2010- JUMPING OFF POINTThere's a slight pre-storm-calm air just now, as the days tick by till the weekend's Breeders' Cup over at Louisville. However, the BHA Handicappers have found a stack of noteworthy performances from last week's efforts, mainly - this being mid-aut... |
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26th October 2010- IT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER FOR FRANKELThis week’s blog starts on the Flat with a round-up of the two-year-old scene, including an update on Frankel’s form, and finishes with an exciting prospect over hurdles. Frankel Franked! Matthew Tester’s latest thoughts…. The big news on the ... |
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19th October 2010- HOORAY FOR HENRYWith all respect to Twice Over and his Champion Stakes heroics, the handicapping scene this week has been dominated by talk of one horse - Henry Cecil's unbeaten Frankel. How good can he be? How good is he now? Matthew Tester delivers his official ... |
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12th October 2010- GOLD STARThis week we start in France and finish at Catterick, writes blog editor Martin Greenwood . GOLD STAR Mark Olley reports from Paris…. The Prix de la Foret run at Longchamp last Sunday is the sole Group 1 race run over 7f in Europe and the 201... |
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5th October 2010- AUTUMN GLORIES PART 1Stop-press from France! Head of Handicapping Phil Smith has made it back across the channel after a weekend of top-quality fare at Longchamp, and reveals that Arc hero Workforce will return to the BHA rating of 128 he obtained after the Derby. Fo... |
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28th September 2010- Juvenile Attention CentreAs autumn approaches, it's only natural that out spotlight should shift to the juveniles. In our run-down of the week's top performances, Matthew Tester puts Frankel's win into its proper perspective, while Dominic Gardiner-Hill puzzles over a tricky... |
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21st September 2010- Ayr RaidThis week it is the Ayr Gold Cup that takes centre stage, writes guest blog editor Chris Nash . We also hear about some improving middle-distance horses, some Cesarewitch possibles and a 2-year old Group winner. Finally we will take a look ahead t... |
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14th September 2010- DONCASTER DIARYThis week Doncaster quite rightly takes centre stage, writes blog editor Martin Greenwood. We check out the stayers, two-year-olds and sprinters. TOWN MOOR TITILLATIONS Neil Young on all the best staying events…. Arctic Cosmos posted one of the... |
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7th September 2010- CANFORD v MAKFIThis week we step up in distance every article, writes blog editor Martin Greenwood. Starting with the sprinters, we end with the stayers, and have some milers thrown in for good measure. QUICK OFF THE MARK….AB Sprint expert Stew Copeland brings... |
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31st August 2010- HEADING SOUTH...HEADING SOUTH... Neil Young on a trio of stable-mates for Australia’s big race…. In terms of smart stayers, the week had a pleasingly symmetrical look - beginning and ending with noteworthy performances by Luca Cumani-trained geldings, ridden by K... |
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25th August 2010- KNAVESMIRE KNATTERINGS This week we review the Ebor meeting from York, writes blog editor Martin Greenwood . Starting with the big sprint, we move up considerably in distance before discussing the juveniles. SOLE MUSIC Stephen Hindle on a surprise winner…. The 201... |
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17th August 2010- REGAL MAKES IT A PARADE This week we both preview and review, writes blog editor Martin Greenwood . First of all we list the top rated entries for this week’s Ebor Festival, before reviewing all the top action at home and abroad. IT’S GOOD UP NORTH! Those top rated ... |
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10th August 2010- GOLD-EN GIRLThis week we concentrate on the Flat, writes blog editor Martin Greenwood . First we discuss one of the best milers, and then we move up in distance for an article on a horse much lower down the rating scale. GOING FOR GOLD Deputy Head of Handi... |
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3rd August 2010- GLORIOUS GOODWOOD This week we bring you a bumper edition, writes blog editor Martin Greenwood. Mainly we focus on Glorious Goodwood, but we also bring you news from Galway and we respond to criticism from a trainer. WORLD LEADER Deputy head of handicapping and... |
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20th JULY 2010- SUMMER (JUMPIN') LOVIN' This week we focus on Market Rasen’s big day in the limelight, writes blog editor Martin Greenwood . Following on, three of our Flat experts give their views on the big issues of the week. RASEN THE BAR John de Moraville begins our summer j... |
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13th July 2010- Born on the Course of JulyThis week we bring you a bumper edition, which focuses on all the action from Newmarket’s July meeting, writes Blog editor Martin Greenwood . We also have articles concerning the important races from York, and a mention of a big mile contest in Fran... |
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6th July 2010- Ace in the Pack This week we have articles on the two ends of the Flat racing spectrum, the stayers and the speedsters, writes Blog editor Martin Greenwood . STAYER’S DESTINY IS IN THE CARDS Staying specialist Neil Young’s latest instalment... After the ... |
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29th June 2010- On the Plate This week we concentrate on the Pitman’s Derby at Newcastle and discuss the problems with translating hurdle form to the flat, writes Blog editor Martin Greenwood , while we also highlight a 7f performer who keeps on getting better and better. A... |
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22nd June 2010- Royal Ascot What a week! After the equine extravaganza that was Royal Ascot 2010 we present a mega-bumper edition of the handicappers' blog, kicking off with our unique "roll of honour", ranking the very best of the very best performances from all of the races... |
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16th June 2010- The Quick and the Dead A detailed analysis of the last week in the springting world, as well as a potential star to follow. THE NEED FOR SPEED : SPRINTERS UNDER THE SPOTLIGHT Most of the top sprinters have been waiting for Royal Ascot, but nevertheless there were nu... |
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1st June 2010- Loads of HaggasThis week, the Flat scene takes centre stage once again, and we concentrate on a big day at Haydock on Saturday, followed by regular contributor Neil Young who keeps us updated on the staying front. HAGGAS BACK ON THE MENU Sprint Handicappers St... |
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25th May 2010- Sprinters Milers and Stayers This week we concentrate on all the major races on the Flat, and glean further pointers for Royal Ascot next month. ACROSS THE WATER(S)! Deputy Head of Handicapping and mile specialist Dominic Gardiner-Hill talks us through the European Guine... |
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18th May 2010- Next....in line for the throne As Royal Ascot approaches the handicappers this week analyse some of the big recent races in the context of the main event. HE’S THE BOY Deputy Head of handicapping Dominic Gardiner-Hill looks forward to Royal Ascot... Richard Hannon’s Pa... |
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4th May 2010- 2000 GUINEAS DAY This week we focus on the Flat, specifically Newmarket’s Saturday 2,000 Guineas card. THE RELIEF OF MAKFI Deputy Head of Handicapping, and mile specialist Dominic Gardiner-Hill with his thoughts on the Guineas… Saturday saw the running o... |
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27th April 2010- GOODBYE JUMPS HELLO FLAT This week we concentrate on the Punchestown Festival and the big Flat races from the two-day Sandown meeting. GIRL POWER Quevega became the latest mare to win the Ladbrokes.Com World Hurdle Series at Punchestwon last week, writes blog editor... |
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20th April 2010- GUINEAS TRIALS AND A TRIAL FOR TREASON?With Phil Smith taking care of the Scottish National over at the Head of Handicapping blog (to follow), we focus on the Flat - especially the Guineas trials, revived sprinters, and a right royal poser... Neil Young - blog editor GUINEAS TRIAL... |
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13th April 2010- AINTREE IRON SILVER AND GOLD With BHA Head of Handicapping Phil Smith weighing in on the Grand National over at his own blog , we look at some of the other notable performances from a typically dramatic Aintree meeting. However, the flat season is also now well under way, and... |
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6th April 2010- Staying PowerThis week all eyes are turning to Aintree for the festival of jump-racing that will culminate in the world's most famous handicap race (with apologies to Melbourne!), the John Smith's Grand National. Before then, however, we cast a glance at a couple... |
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23rd March 2010- Cheltenham SpecialThis week's blog is all about Cheltenham, highlighting the top performances of the week. Blog editor Neil Young 2010 CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL ROLL OF HONOUR The BHA Handicappers' highest-rated performances at the National Hunt Festival Imp... |
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9th March 2010- Cheltenham Spotlight The National Hunt festival is almost upon us, and so this week's bumper edition of the BHA Handicappers' Blog features a special "Cheltenham Preview" in which we look through the official ratings of all the leading contenders for the major races. ... |
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2nd March 2010- The countdown is on With the Cheltenham countdown well underway, the jumpers remain in the spotlight - and the BHA's National Hunt handicappers Martin Greenwood and Stephen Hindle weigh in with their verdicts on some fast-rising stars of the winter game. But there's n... |
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23rd February 2010- A week of riddles Plenty of headline-grabbers this week, writes blog-editor Neil Young, from Monet's Garden over the jumps to the jaw-dropping Skysurfers on the flat - not to mention a certain young lady and her "Machine"... All will be revealed as the handicappers ... |
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16th February 2010- All roads lead to Cheltenham This week we focus on Newbury's big 'Super Saturday' meeting last Saturday. First two-mile Chase Handicapper John de Moraville talks us through the return of Master Minded. Following on David Dickinson, two-mile Hurdle Handicapper, explains his dec... |
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9th February 2010- From Punchestown to the Kalahari Several Cheltenham pointers for you this week, writes blog-editor Neil Young , as the National Hunt season's showcase gallops inexorably closer. On the flat, we spotlight some eyecatchers in Dubai as well as some notable all-weather developments b... |
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2nd February 2010 A bumper blog for you this time, writes editor Neil Young, with the Cheltenham trials day taking up most of the handicappers' attention as we - and the rest of the racing world - really start to gear up for next month's Festival. But further from h... |
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19th January 2010 - Awards Season This week Deputy Head of Handicapping Dominic Gardiner-Hill takes centre stage. You can read his very entertaining ‘My Week’ article that appeared in the Racing Post, while below Dominic talks us through the headline stories from the end of seaso... |
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12th January 2010 - All weather shines Once again the "cold snap" has meant that all-weather racing has been dominating proceedings here in the UK, and this week we hear about some of the most notable performances in that sphere from my colleagues Chris Nash , Stewart Copeland and M... |
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5th January 2010 - Christmas Crackers The blog returns after a seasonal hiatus during which handicapping has been in the spotlight thanks to Kauto Star's exploits at Kempton - the BHA's Head of Handicapping Phil Smith will be blogging on that very subject when he returns from holiday. ... |
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15th December 2009 - We are the Champions This week we have a jocular Hong Kong dispatch from Matthew Tester - BHA Handicapper responsible for 2-year-olds - on exploits involving some two-legged participants in the far-eastern jamboree. Before this though, jumps handicappers Martin Gre... |
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8th December 2009 - Twist in the Tale From the Tingle Creek to Tokyo, the BHA Handicappers cast their net far and wide this week in search of noteworthy performances. John de Moraville weighs in on star chaser Twist Magic, then it's over to the flat with blog-editor Neil Young and curr... |
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1st December 2009 - Cheltenham pointers From the the Grand Sefton Chase to the Fighting Fifth Hurdle to Lingfield's Hindleap Walk Selling Stakes - the Handicapping team cast their beady eyes over an eclectic range of excitements this week, as they analyse some of the best and most notewo... |
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24th November 2009 - One Big Week THIS WEEK the headlines were made by Kauto Star and Imperial Commander's thrillingly tight finish for the Betfair Chase - covered in enlightening detail by Head of Handicapping Phil Smith over at his own blog. However there was no shortage of ma... |
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17th November 2009 - Endings and Beginnings This week we take a look back at the flat season in the light of the world's leading racehorses and a summary of the top handicaps, but also look forward to a seaason of jumps as a ready performance from the Cheltenham Open catches our eye. BACK ... |
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10th November 2009 - All around the world The Breeders' Cup naturally dominates our latest look back at the racing week from a handicapping perspective, writes blog-editor Neil Young , but we cast our net even further afield with a trip down under for the Melbourne Cup, as well as a round... |
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3rd November 2009 - The Sphinx and other riddles This week blog editor Neil Young reflects on a busy Saturday up and down the country, while Chris Nash chips in with an international perspective and John De Moraville brings us up to speed with some eyecatching National Hunt performances as the ju... |
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27th October 2009 - The Search is Over This week Two-year-old Handicapper Matthew Tester gushes enthusiastically about the big juvenile race at the weekend. Following on, Stewart Copeland brings to our attention a sand-loving sprinter, and finally Chase Handicapper John de Moraville lam... |
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20th October 2009 - In Search of Champions A busy week on the handicapping front culminated with the Champion's Day at Newmarket - where, predictably and appropriately, the star turn on ratings came in the showpiece Group 1 Emirates Airline Champion Stakes. Twice Over recorded a career-high... |
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13th October 2009 - Stars and Strife This week we look at the 'controversial' aftermath of Sea the Stars' Arc win; Stephen Hindle analyses the week's top sprint performance, then John De Moraville and Dave Dickinson chip in with dispatches from the National Hunt frontlines... STAR... |
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6th October 2009 - Arc de Stars This week we quite rightly focus on the best performances at Longchamp over the weekend. First Head of Handicapping Phil Smith gives his views on the Arc winner, and then Sprint specialist Stephen Hindle waxes lyrical about the Abbaye and other rac... |
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30th September 2009 - Rip Van Winkle, old timers and the culmination of the 2 year old season This week Deputy Head of Handicapping Dominic Gardiner-Hill gives his judgement on the very top milers, then Neil Young talks us through a couple of veteran performances. Finally, Two-Year-Old specialist Matthew Tester looks forward to some big rac... |
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22nd September 2009 - Arc trials and the Good DoctorThis week kicks off with our Sprint experts Stephen Hindle and Stewart Copeland talking us through their highlights of the last seven days. Following on, Chris Nash points out some interesting facts and figures concerning horses that race around the ... |
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15th September 2009 - Sea the Stars and St LegerThis week Head of Handicapping Phil Smith comments on Sea the Stars' rating, then Two-year-old Handicapper Matthew Tester talks through an exciting end to the 2y/o season and Sprint assessor Stephen Hindle talk us through events from the last few day... |
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8th September 2009 - Stayers and SprintersSome key Cesarewitch contenders are given a thorough dissecting by staying handicapper Neil Young this week. In addition, Sprint Handicapper Stewart Copeland discusses the Betfred Sprint Cup, and another one to watch. PENALTY KICK As mentioned... |
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1st September 2009 - No blues for GodolphinThis week Deputy Head of Handicapping Dominic Gardiner-Hill discusses the merits of Delegator's Celebration Mile success while Sprint Handicapper Stewart Copeland points to a progressive sprint performer. Then, Neil Young runs the rule over the Cesar... |
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25th August 2009 - Ebor FestivalThis week Neil Young examines the stayers performance at the Ebor Festival. Following on, two-year-old specialist Matthew Tester talks us through some of the major races of the last seven days, and finally, Stephen Hindle explains his decisions behin... |
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18th August 2009 - High as a KiteThis week Neil Young contributes another precise examination of recent events concerning the stayers. Following on, Sprint Handicapper Stewart Copeland talks us through a British-trained winner abroad, and then Chris Nash, who assesses races at aroun... |
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11th August 2009 - Handicappers: the demi-gods of British Racing?This week Neil Young contributes another precise examination of recent events concerning the stayers. Following on, Sprint Handicappers Stephen Hindle and Stewart Copeland bring to our attention some veteran speedsters. Finally, Mark Olley and Chris... |
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4th August 2009 - Glorious GoodwoodThis week is dominated by the Goodwood Festival. Neil Young talks us through the Goodwood Cup, then Stephen Hindle and deputy head of handicapping Dominic Gardiner-Hill explain the decisions behind the top performances from the sprinters and milers. ... |
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29th July 2009- The straightforwardness of King GeorgeThis week is dominated by Neil Young’s explanation behind the decisions that count in the big race of last week. Then Sprint handicapper Stephen Hindle talks us through a very tight finish at Thirsk. KING GEORGE CROWNS THE SUMMER There are c... |
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21st July 2009- The Sariska ConundrumThis week David Dickinson and John de Moraville talk us through one of the highest profile summer jumping cards, while Sprint Handicapper Stewart Ciopeland brings to our attention a fast-improving performer. First though, Neil Young, responsible for ... |
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14th July 2009- July Cup views and much more EDITORS CORNER: WE DO LIKE SATURDAYS This week and next I am deputising for Head of Handicapping Phil Smith, who's normally in charge of the top 1m4f races but is enjoying his annual excursion following the Tour de France. This meant I was r... |
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7th July 2009- Curragh Glory Eclipsed at SandownHot off the press: official verdicts on the three best performances in the world this year - and they all happened this week! BEST IN THE WORLD BHA Head of Handicapping Phil Smith : "I have been lucky enough in that this week I have assessed ... |
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30th June 2009- Plate reflections and the best of the rest With the mid-summer rush well and truly upon us, I take a look at the John Smith's Northumberland Plate, while my colleagues chip in with their verdicts on the races they've been assessing over the course of the week (which, for us handicappers, ru... |
