#Edward Whitaker

Kim Bailey: trainer of Pay The Pilot Four of the ten runners boast winning form at Hereford, including the Charlie Longsdon-trained Zestful Hope, who is unbeaten in two starts at the track. The most recent success came by six lengths from Walkinthewoods in November, and he is effectively only 3lb higher when Lilly Pinchin's 3lb claim is taken into…

Sceptical: Denis Hogan-trained sprinter weak in the July Cup market on Saturday morning The Darley July Cup (3.35) at Newmarket is a rare omission from Frankie Dettori's glittering CV and the star jockey will bid to set the record straight aboard Sceptical, who is weak in the market for the day's feature race at a general 9-2. The leading rider,…

The Betfair Ascot Chase could be next for Shishkin Nicky Henderson has nominated the Betfair Ascot Chase on February 18 as the likely next race for Shishkin after the star chaser underwent a recent wind procedure. The Lambourn trainer had been hoping to run in Saturday's Silviniaco Conti Chase at Kempton but a flipped palate ruled him out of the…

Stradivarius (far right) could finish only third when bidding for a record-equalling fourth Gold Cup How ironic that it was at Ascot, the scene of so many of his greatest triumphs, that Frankie Dettori should fall out of John Gosden's good books. His'magnificent seven' may have been more than a quarter of a century ago but it was only in 2019 he…

3.00) at Royal Ascot on Saturday, as he bids to bounce back from his disappointing third in the 2000 Guineas. The Charlie Appleby-trained son of Shamardal was defeated for the first time in the Newmarket Classic and will once again take on Wichita, who finished second. Appleby said: "Naturally, you are always disappointed when you lose that…

Perseus Way (Jamie Moore) jumps the final flight to win the Chatteris Fen Friday: Huntingdon Perseus Way got another wheel back on Gary Moore's Cheltenham bandwagon when running out a very impressive winner of the feature Weatherbys Chatteris Fen Juvenile Hurdle. Rather than bolster Moore's strong hand in the Triumph Hurdle, the 10-11 chance could…

Racegoers returned to Royal Ascot on Tuesday There are at least two Americans who are very excited about being at Royal Ascot. One of them was among those waiting for the gates to the Royal Enclosure to be opened. She was patient and polite. Not everyone was like that. One of the Ascot greencoats had no idea why there was a delay. The first…

When Sandown Park opened in 1875 as Britain's first purpose-built racecourse with enclosures it was said by a diarist of the time to be "a place where a man could take his ladies without any fear of their hearing coarse language or witnessing uncouth behaviour". That might not always be the case, but one thing visitors to the Queen Mother's…

Durston has enjoyed plenty of success since moving to Australia Victory for Durston in the prestigious Caulfield Cup provided Highclere Racing with one of the biggest winners in the syndicate's 30-year history - and it came following a "phenomenal recovery" from key setbacks. The son of Sea The Moon was bought by Highclere as a two-year-old maiden…

Cobblers Dream: seeking to be the first back-to-back winner of the Lanzarote Cobblers Dream will bid to become the first dual winner of the Coral Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle as he takes on 19 rivals at Kempton on Saturday. The Charles Byrnes-trained Green Glory and Persian War runner-up Outlaw Peter head the market at 5-1 but Ben Case hopes Cobblers…

Watch Me (pale jacket) edges ahead of Suphala to win the Prix Imprudence at Maisons-Laffitte Watch Me made it two wins from three starts for Francis Graffard in the Group 3 Prix Imprudence at Maisons-Laffitte on Wednesday, but Lady Bamford's runner-up Suphala remains a candidate for the Qipco 1000 Guineas or French equivalent at…

Desert Crown: the new favourite for the Cazoo Derby Thursday: Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes, York It was just like old times. Racegoers packed eight or ten deep around the paddock to see the runners before the Dante Stakes and afterwards everyone was crowding around Sir Michael Stoute to acclaim a new star. Now, racing's worries about…

Robert Havlin: decided not to appeal against the 21-day ban Robert Havlin signalled his intention to put his controversial ride at Lingfield on Wednesday behind him by winning the 1m2f handicap on Side Shot. As he had done the previous evening at Chelmsford, Havlin struck on his only ride of the day as the John and Thady Gosden-trained son of…

Japan (Ryan Moore, left) just gets the better of Trueshan (Hollie Doyle) Class and a 5lb penalty made the difference as the oddest of couples fought out the finish of the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes. In the summer of 2019, Japan won the Grand Prix de Paris and the Juddmonte International for Aidan O'Brien, while the Alan King-trained Trueshan won Class…

The Wizard Of Eye (right): colt could have an awayday at Richard Hannon's this week Stan Moore accepts the Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes will be a tough assignment for The Wizard Of Eye, but he still intends running his stable star at Newbury next week. The son of Galileo Gold equipped himself well last term and was a respectable…

Benoit de la Sayette (left) and Harry Davies: two talented apprentice jockeys Identifying a top-class apprentice can be a golden ticket, for trainers and punters. Horses ridden by apprentice jockeys carry less weight than those with professionals on board. But some precocious apprentices can be just as good as professionals. Several stars of the…

Tom Dascombe: may bypass the Chester Cup with Ripon scorer Rajinsky Rajinsky earned a probable place in the Tote Chester Cup field with a win in the most significant trial - but may give the £101000 race a miss. He picked up a 3lb penalty for outpointing two Mark Johnston-trained runners in a race that Cup winners Trip To Paris and Making…

More of the same? Andrea Atzeni and Defoe conquered Epsom in the 2019 Coronation Cup and the Italian-born jockey will be hoping for a repeat aboard Third Realm in Saturday's Cazoo Derby Andrea Atzeni admits his Cazoo Derby mount Third Realm continues to surprise him and is hoping that is again the case at Epsom on Saturday, when he will be among…

Hollie Doyle and Dame Malliot land the Group 2 Princess of Wales's Tattersalls Stakes Fresh from her first Royal Ascot winner last month, Hollie Doyle ticked the latest item off her bucket list after Dame Malliot gave the high-flying rider her first success at Group level in the Princess of Wales's Tattersalls Stakes. Doyle rode more winners than…

History awaits Mishriff in the third running of the $20 million Saudi Cup, where victory would make him the sport's leading prize-money earner of all time. With a cool $10m (£7.5m/€9m) to the winner, a repeat Saudi Cup win would take him clear of global giants Winx, Arrogate and Almond Eye at the top of the money list and cement his legacy among…

Summerghand (grey silks) wins his first Group race at the age of seven Veteran sprinter Summerghand added a first win at Group level to his expansive CV on his 52nd start, causing an upset in the process as odds-on favourite Oxted had to settle for second in the Abernant Stakes. A regular in big-field handicaps, the David O'Meara-trained…

It's nearly time for the Betfair Tingle Creek Chase. Saturday's Sandown feature (2.55) is one of the highlights of the jumps season, attracting the heavyweights of the two-mile division. Down the years, the Tingle Creek has been won by some of the greatest names in the game and here we look at who is most likely to follow in the footsteps of racing…

Rising Star (right): last year's Royal Ascot winner is set to return to the track on January 13 Marco Botti feels he has his "best chances in years" at the upcoming Dubai Carnival which kicks off at Meydan on Friday. Last year's Italian Derby winner Ardakan recently joined the Newmarket trainer and spearheads a three-handed raiding party from…

Tiber Flow (number 9): game winner under Tom Marquand Saturday: Newbury William Haggas, a big-race winner with the fantastic Baaeed, enjoyed a treble on the card, which started when Jon and Julia Aisbitt's homebred Tiber Flow struck in the Carnarvon Stakes, which had bookmakers trimming him for the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot next…

Battleground makes light work of his Vintage Stakes rivals at Goodwood There is nothing flashy about Battleground but he is effective and has Aidan O'Brien already thinking of next year's Qipco 2000 Guineas. As short as 7-1 for the Classic, Battleground had the look of his mother and Arc winner, Found, in claiming a third Vintage Stakes for…

Desert Orchid: scooping the Tingle Creek Chase Ahead of the Unibet Grey Horse Handicap (2.45) at Newmarket on Saturday, we take a look at five of the greatest greys to grace the track. . . Desert Orchid One who needs no introduction. Desert Orchid is a hero among jumps fans for his incredible versatility, success and front-running style that led…

Steve Parkin: owner was left nursing an injury following Last Crusader's win at York Thursday: York Owner Steve Parkin had to grimace through the pain barrier to collect his trophy for the Westow Stakes after his exuberant celebrations cheering on Last Crusader's success left him nursing a suspected torn calf. Last Crusader, who runs in Parkin's…

Victor Ludorum: exciting colt returns at Longchamp on the day racing resumes in France French racing looks set to return with a bang as unbeaten Classic favourite Victor Ludorum launches his hugely anticipated second season on the opening day. Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe third Sottsass is also scheduled to be in action on a star-studded card at…

Breeders' Cup Classic hero Knicks Go has been named the Longines World's Best Racehorse at an online ceremony hosted from the National Racing Museum in Newmarket. The International Federation of Horseracing Authority's panel of handicappers awarded Knicks Go an end-of-season rating of 129, 2lb clear of a three-way tie featuring European Horse of…

James Ferguson walks back in with his Prestige Stakes winner Mise En Scene The biggest smile on course belonged to James Ferguson, who saddled his first Pattern success when Mise En Scene landed the Group 3 Prestige Stakes, earning quotes of 16-1 and 25-1 with Paddy Power for next year's Qipco 1000 Guineas and Cazoo Oaks. The filly might be up to…

Reach For The Moon: heads the betting for Solario A small field has become predictable in the Solario (average of 6.6 runners since 2011), but that matters little to favourite backers who have cashed in on five consecutive winning market leaders. Will likely odds-on favourite Reach For The Moon follow suit? His pedigree indicates that 7f would be…

Mark Johnston with his son Charlie: together the pair have trained 176 winners in Britain Charlie Johnston is set to have runners in his own name from next week with his father Mark, the winningmost trainer in the history of British racing, relinquishing his role in the joint training partnership. Mark Johnston, 63, became the first, and only,…

Newbury's Mandarin Chase has unearthed some real talent among staying chasers down the years Considering it has not been part of the Pattern since 1989, the Mandarin holds a strong roll of honour. Its first winner after demotion was Party Politics, with Jodami a couple of years down the line. Over the last 15 years or so it has become one of the…

Inspiratrice: a 200-1 winner at Taunton on Friday Friday: Taunton Three days after enjoying the biggest success of her career in the Welsh Grand National, trainer Nicky Martin struck again as Inspiratrice laughed at her 200-1 odds by landing the juvenile hurdle. Martin wasn't in attendance for The Two Amigos' brave success at Chepstow due to a…

Hermes Allen (right): bids to deliver Paul Nicholls a record fifth win in the Challow Hurdle Paul Nicholls believes Hermes Allen has the potential to follow the trajectory of King George star Bravemansgame as he bids for Grade 1 success in Saturday's Coral Challow Novices' Hurdle (3.00). The five-year-old dazzled in Grade 2 company last month at…

Jim Crowley enjoys an armchair ride on Baaeed in the Thoroughbred Stakes William Haggas and Shadwell Estates might have had a few balloons deflated this season with Mohaafeth and Al Aasy, but perhaps the combination's brightest star shone in the Bonhams Thoroughbred Stakes when Baaeed strolled to arguably the most impressive performance of the…

Aidan O'Brien: looking to win the Derby for a ninth time Superstar trainer Aidan O'Brien joined the Racing Post's What A Shout show for an exclusive chat ahead of Irish Guineas weekend at the Curragh, which gets under way on Friday. The Ballydoyle master gave us his thoughts on his four runners in the Irish 1000 Guineas on Sunday and also looked…

Those in attendance at Newcastle on Fighting Fifth day witnessed an extraordinary performance from Constitution Hill and Kempton racegoers should brace themselves for another majestic display in the Christmas Hurdle. The spectacular five-year-old's already substantial achievements in the sport are mind-boggling considering his relative inexperience…

Chantry House: drops in class for the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase Into Overdrive started the season as perhaps the most exciting prospect ever to emerge from Mark Walford's underrated North Yorkshire yard. In two runs this year he has only advanced his peak Racing Post Rating by 1lb, but he has enhanced his reputation considerably and the…

Baaeed: will make his final racecourse appearance in either the Arc or Champion Stakes Angus Gold says he would personally love nothing more than for Baaeed to round off his career in the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, an event he described as "the greatest race in the world". But Shadwell's long-serving racing manager and wise counsel to the…

Bravemansgame: winner of the King George Bravemansgame was brilliant in the King George as he earned a 13th King George for trainer Paul Nicholls, who confirmed immediately afterwards that the Cheltenham Gold Cup would be the next stop for his star chaser. L'Homme Presse looked certain to follow Bravemansgame home in second before unseating Charlie…

It might sometimes be difficult to believe with the same stables dominating, but fairytales do still exist on the Flat and the story of Pyledriver is proof. Owners Guy and Hew Edwards had limited success in syndicates before purchasing La Pyle to race over hurdles. She beat just five horses home in her five starts for Philip Hobbs before she was…

Paul Nicholls: champion trainer for the 13th time at the weekend Paul Nicholls, the titan of jumps racing who sealed his 13th training title at the weekend, is set to have an interest on the Flat this summer via a Charlie Hills-trained juvenile called Paddy's Day. The Somerset-based Nicholls was in rampant form at Sandown on Saturday, ending a fine…

A scroll through Twitter on the evening of December 26 in recent years has tended to reveal Paul Nicholls celebrating King George success with a McDonald's on the way back from Kempton. The Ditcheat maestro, who is seeking a record-extending 13th win in the race, could well be lovin' it again on Monday with Bravemansgame and Hitman among the main…

Britain's festive spectacular, the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (2.30), is one of the highlights of the year and is already shaping up to be a post-Christmas cracker on December 26. The King George has been won by some of jump racing's legends in the past, and we have taken a look at who could join that illustrious roll of honour based on…

Every part of this perfectly true story appears improbable and is much the better for it. The beginning, the middle and the end are all as wonderfully unlikely as each other, yet as new postscript chapters continue to be written, there is not really an end at all. The legacy of what Urban Sea achieved on an October afternoon 25 years ago lives on…

Steve Packham (third left): hoping Goshen can gain a first Grade 1 in the Long Walk Hurdle No-one could begrudge Steve Packham a first Grade 1 winner at Kempton on Monday and Goshen's owner believes his fans' favourite will relish a first try over three miles in the Ladbrokes Long Walk Hurdle (12.45). The Gary Moore-trained Goshen looked a Grade 1…

The biggest empires in history evolved from one great individual at the very top. From the heady days of Julius Caesar and the Roman empire to Napoleon Bonaparte's French conquests, it takes the best leader to ignite sheer success. For owner John Dance, his expanding racing empire is thriving thanks to his own Empress at the top charting the…

Owner/breeder Reg Bond, who has died at the age 77 Group-winning owner-breeder Reg Bond was hailed as "a fine ambassador for northern racing" after his death was announced at the age of 77. The Yorkshireman, who dreamt of owning a horse when he used to go racing at Beverley as a teenage apprentice engineer, saw his colours carried to success by…

More has made it all the merrier for the multiple members of the Fred Archer Racing syndicate, who have shared the sort of ride an owner could spend millions on without coming close to thanks to their redoubtable old-stager The Tin Man. Saturday's run in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes marked the sixth year in succession he has competed for Group 1…