THE dreams start now. The crisp autumnal mornings give birth to the hopes of hundreds of owners, trainers and jockeys. Jump racing is back in earnest this month and with it the glorious visions of Cleeve Hill in March and Aintree in April. But there’s no need to remind Richard Johnson. He has already amassed …[Read More]
IT happens nine weeks on Tuesday. You know, that familiar roar, when the tape goes up for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. The roar kick-starts four days of heaven for National Hunt purists. Yup, the Cheltenham Festival is well within punting distance. After the plethora of festive Jump racing, the fog has cleared a little from …[Read More]
AS autumn leaves begin to gather on the pavements and the chillier mornings leave us with goosebumps, it can only mean that proper Jump racing is almost upon us. The Charlie Hall Chase is a few weeks away… the Paddy Power Gold Cup is within sight. But if you really want to set the National …[Read More]
LAST year’s Lexus Chase was, for me, THE race of the National Hunt season. Tidal Bay’s dramatic late lunge between Flemenstar and First Lieutenant was a remarkable performance and a ride of legendary proportions by Ruby Walsh. This year’s Lexus has something to live up to but connections of Bobs Worth are hoping it will …[Read More]
I CAN’T quite work out Harry Topper. Kim Bailey compared him to his Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Master Oats after his victory in the Charlie Hall Chase on Saturday and holds him in the highest regard. But is he a Gold Cup horse? Well, I think that will depend entirely on the weather. If the …[Read More]
THIS has been a wonderful meeting so far but sadly tomorrow’s headlines will be dominated by the wellbeing of two jockeys. Our thoughts are with JT McNamara and Davy Russell. Cheltenham Gold Cup day is so special and I’ve previewed today’s big race in a separate horse-by-horse guide here. But the supporting card is truly …[Read More]
IT’S six years since there was a Cheltenham Gold Cup without the great Kauto Star lining up. We have become so accustomed to those familiar green and yellow silks stalking the leaders, jumping his rivals into the ground and powering up the hill. But this year’s race is all about the young pretenders. Ten horses …[Read More]
by Jack Milner, of BetVictor. THE Ladbroke World Hurdle offers a different question this year through the absence of the all-conquering Big Buck’s, who has won the last four renewals. The previous question revolved around: “How do we get Big Buck’s beaten?” Instead it’s “Who is good enough to win?” He really did set the …[Read More]
FORTY horses have been entered in the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup after the entries were published today. The main contenders for national hunt racing’s blue riband all stood their ground including the ante-post favourite and Hennessy winner Bobs Worth, pictured left. The March 15 highlight looks wide open and that is reflected in the latest …[Read More]
THE dust has settled on Flemenstar’s impressive demolition of Sir Des Champs at Punchestown but there are still doubts about whether he is a Cheltenham Gold Cup winner-in-waiting. In fact, does this flamboyant jumper really deserve his position near the head of the ante-post market? Peter Casey’s rapidly improving gelding has won seven chases on …[Read More]
Horse Racing Chat has been named among the Top 10 horse racing blogs in the UK. 
