Horse racing seeks to tackle growing cocaine problem… Jockeys’ chief calls for stiffer penalties to curb troubling rise in positive tests Stiffer penalties for riders who test positive for cocaine could be in place by July  Currently, a jockey testing positive for the first time can expect a six-month ban New proposals could double punishment, with longer bans for serious […]

German raider Axana proved too strong for the British contingent in the Novibet Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes at Lingfield. A dual winner at Group Three level in her homeland two seasons ago, the five-year-old failed to add to her tally in 2020, but made a successful start to the current campaign in a Listed event at Hoppegarten last month. With likely […]

Third Realm threw his hat into the ring for next month’s premier Classic at Epsom with an impressive display in the Novibet Derby Trial at Lingfield. Fourth on his sole juvenile appearance at Kempton in November, the son of Derby hero Sea The Stars made a successful reappearance at Nottingham last month to earn himself this step up to Listed […]

Jason Coyle is relying on a lightly-raced up and comer Ribeauveille and stable stalwart Citizen’s Arrest to deliver him a double at Sunday’s Goulburn meeting. Coyle has won numerous stakes races with horses racing in the Esplin family colours which will be worn in the Kilpatrick Metal Recyclers Maiden Plate (1315m) by the aforementioned Ribeauville. The handsome bay gelding is […]

Robin Goodfellow’s Racing Tips: Best bets for Saturday, May 8 The potential for significant rain could alter the landscape of a number of Saturday’s events, but MOTAKHAYYEL (Ascot, 3.40) appears versatile ground-wise and should find the rigours of the tote+ Victoria Cup to his liking. The Richard Hannon-trained five-year-old was a revelation in competitive handicaps last summer, winning over Saturday’s […]

Tickets are being snapped up for Redcar's opening meeting by fans eager to watch live sport at the first opportunity. The North Yorkshire track joins Windsor, Leicester and Carlisle as the first racing venues to welcome a crowd on May 17. The day marks a milestone as the nation takes the next step in the government's 'roadmap' out of lockdown. […]

Adayar gets the opportunity to stake his claim for Epsom glory in the Novibet Derby Trial at Lingfield on Saturday. Trainer Charlie Appleby began the week with several hopes for the Cazoo Derby on June 5. But with Wirko and Yibir failing to run up to expectations in the Chester Vase and Dee Stakes earlier in the week, the Moulton […]

Grove Ferry enjoyed a charmed run through the field to win the tote+ Placepots Pay More Earl Grosvenor Handicap at Chester. Andrew Balding’s four-year-old was quietly fancied for the Lincoln having tuned up for that with a win on the all-weather, but he failed to cut much ice in that race. David Probert only had two behind him as the […]

High Definition is among 18 confirmations for Thursday’s Al Basti Equiworld Dante Stakes at York. Aidan O’Brien’s unbeaten colt lost his position at the head of the ante-post market on the Cazoo Derby after an unsatisfactory blood test earlier this week. O’Brien had intended to run the son of Galileo in Saturday’s Derby Trial at Lingfield, but there is a […]

Hugo Palmer’s Acquitted will compete over seven furlongs for the first time when he lines up for the ultra-competitive tote+ Victoria Cup at Ascot on Saturday. The four-year-old was beaten just a neck when making his seasonal reappearance in Doncaster’s Spring Mile, his first run since being gelded last year. Palmer, who hopes that a marginally shorter trip will suit […]