Author: John Burke

Victor’s Friday Preview – May 26th 2023

Hi all,

An interesting afternoon and evening action with Listed races at both Goodwood and Haydock. Inside today’s main piece I look ahead to the best of Friday’s action.

They always used to say that Goodwood’s Predominate Stakes, now known as the Cocked Hat Stakes (4:10) was the last Derby Trial, and the Lupe, now known as Height Of Fashion Stakes (3:00) was the last Oaks Trial.

At Haydock there’s also Listed action with Cecil Frail Stakes (3:15) the feature race of a seven race card. 

The big race action switches across the Irish Sea this evening. It’s a bumper eight race card at the Curragh for the start of the Tattersalls Irish Guineas Festival. For me it’s the Curragh card with four good handicaps to get stuck into which holds most of my betting interest.

My record in Irish flat races so far this season hasn’t been great indeed I’m not even sure I have had a winner yet. Despite that I’m taking a flyer that I can turn things around today.

Most of the horses I like today at Goodwood & Haydock are too short to get involved in apart from one in the lucky last at Goodwood.

I was out and about enjoying the sunshine yesterday, so today’s main piece is shorter than normal.

Continue reading “Victor’s Friday Preview – May 26th 2023”

Victor’s Sandown Preview – Thursday May 25th 2023

Hi all,

After a couple of busy weeks, it’s been a quiet start to the week with no selections. The weekend starts on Thursday, and we have four busy days of racing to look forward to including Classic action this weekend at the Curragh.

There’s the best evening card of the season at Sandown today.  Last season’s Derby hero Desert Crown is set to have his first start since winning at Epsom in the in the Group 3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes (7:42).

The Listed National Stakes (6:42), for the juveniles and the Group 3 Henry II Stakes (7:12) complete a six race card.

In this preview I’m going to look at the three big races on the Sandown card starting with the Brigadier Gerard Stakes.

Continue reading “Victor’s Sandown Preview – Thursday May 25th 2023”

Victor’s Saturday Preview – May 20th 2023

Hi all,

The Group 1 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes (3.35) at Newbury is Saturday’s big race. This year’s renewal doesn’t look the strongest. Which underlines just how uninspiring the older miles are. Of course, we could have one that makes a big step forward in today’s race.

ITV are covering four races from Newbury and three from Newmarket on a seven race programme this afternoon.

Continue reading “Victor’s Saturday Preview – May 20th 2023”

Victor’s Dante Festival – Day 1 Preview – Wednesday May 17th 2023

Hi all,

I love York’s Dante Meeting and I will be either there tomorrow or on Thursday for the Dante Stakes. For me it the best of the spring flat festivals and you won’t see such competitive racing until Royal Ascot.

ITV4 are covering five races live from York and one from Newton Abbot this afternoon.  Inside today’s preview I’m looking at the two big York races first before looking at the rest of the card. As ever today’s betting advice can be found at the end of the main piece.

Continue reading “Victor’s Dante Festival – Day 1 Preview – Wednesday May 17th 2023”

Victor’s Sunday Preview – May 14th 2023

Hi all,

The big race action crosses the Channel to France on Sunday where it’s 1,000 & 2,000 Guineas Day at Longchamp.

It’s another leg of the Sky Sunday Series at Hamilton on Sunday with all seven of the races being shown live on ITV4.

Over at Killarney it’s the first of three day’s racing at Ireland’s most picturesque racecourse.

Continue reading “Victor’s Sunday Preview – May 14th 2023”