by ANNIE DALE It is estimated that about £250 million exchanged hands last year in bets on the Grand National. Given the hype surrounding the 2019 festival, it is expected that punters will invest even more in their “line of business”. The event kicks off on Thursday April 4 through to the Ladies Day on …[Read More]
WITH the Cheltenham Festival over, attention now turns to the Randox Health Grand National on April 6. The next scratchings stage for the great race is this Wednesday when the current entry list of 100 will be whittled down. The final 2019 Grand National runners will be confirmed on Thursday April 4 but until then …[Read More]
by ANNIE DALE Elegant Escape has the progressive profile of a Grand National winner – there’s no doubt about it. Already one of the best staying chasers in the business, he is still just seven years old and there is scope for further improvement. He has finished inside the top three in 13 of his …[Read More]
KAYLEY Woollacott is approaching the climax of her first full season as a National Hunt trainer after taking over the licence from her husband, Richard, who took his own life in January 2018. Having guided their stable star, Lalor, to a debut win over fences in their first outing of the campaign at the Cheltenham …[Read More]
by ANNIE DALE The Cheltenham Festival is one of the top jump racing events in the sport but it has also been a risky event due to the layout of some of the jumps. But those in charge at Cheltenham are taking steps to make it safer for the horses and jockeys involved in festival …[Read More]
NATIVE RIVER, the 2018 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, is on target to contest the Betfair Denman Chase in which he will be trying to win the race for the third year running at Newbury on Saturday. Trainer Colin Tizzard is keen to follow the same route he took with his stable star a year ago …[Read More]
THE GRAND National has become a benefit for leading owner Trevor Hemmings. He has enjoyed three successes in the famous race and he has another serious contender in 2019 as he bids for an unprecedented fourth Aintree victory. The Horse is Lake View Lad. Hemmings’ three Randox Health Grand National victories have come courtesy of Hedgehunter (2005), Ballabriggs …[Read More]
ALMOST a year to the day since her husband Richard took his own life, Kayley Woollacott reflects on her first full season as a National Hunt trainer so far. Having won over hurdles with stable star Lalor at Aintree less than three months after Richard’s death, she’s now targeting a Grade 1 triumph over fences at …[Read More]
by ANNIE DALE THERE is no doubt that there should be five unchallenged winners when the Eclipse Awards go down later this month at Gulfstream Park. However, we know that will not happen when the awards take place on 24th. We have all seen how good Game Winner, Justify, Monomoy Girl, Accelerate and Roy H …[Read More]
by ANNIE DALE Next Destination has endured disappointment in his two previous visits to the Cheltenham Festival, but will return for his third attempt at success when he competes in the RSA Chase in March. Willie Mullins’ charge has the right pedigree, although he has not managed to get over the line during the week-long …[Read More]
Horse Racing Chat has been named among the Top 10 horse racing blogs in the UK. 
