Author: Paul Davidson

The Al Zubarah London Gold Cup Handicap tends to produce Group-level performers and there could be a couple of special horses lining up in this again. Recent winners have included the likes of Time Test and Cannock Chase, with the latters connections running an exciting prospect in the shape of…

There’s a decent looking fillies Group 3 race after the feature Oaks and Derby trials on Saturday. Pretty Baby is the current 9/4 favourite for William Haggas. She looked highly progressive last season, which culminated in a Group 3 win at Goodwood in August. She did well on that occasion…

In contrast to the lead-up to the 2000 Guineas being raced on Saturday, the ante-post betting market for the 1000 Guineas has lacked a dominant figure. In fact, current favourite Qabala was only promoted into 3/1 market leader off-the-back of her taking performance a fortnight ago at Newmarket. Qabala has…

The Irish Grand National finishes off the usual spring series of marathon-staying steeplechases for another year. Fairyhouse is the host on Easter Monday and we have two selections for the Irish showpiece. As a general rule, it has paid to stick with novice or second-season chasers in recent years and…

The Scots follow up with their own edition of the Grand National this weekend. Not quite the same test as the Aintree event, nor the Tiger Roll-level of talent on show. The Scottish Grand National’s a more conventional handicapping race that is usually run on fast ground conditions. Favourites generally…

The Grand National is always a cracking betting occasion with 40 handicappers out to run in the ultimate staying marathon. So, where to start? Well, where else, but with the 2018 winner, Tiger Roll. It’s easy to run out of superlatives to describe how much this horse has done during…

Now we all know the Midlands Grand National on this Saturday is in complete contrast to the week just experienced at The Festival. And no race portrays that better than the gruelling, four mile two furlong trip at Uttoxeter. Ms. Parfois could take all the beating based on her novice…

The Pertemps has produced some excellent winners over the years and generally they have gone on to do bigger and better things with the likes of Fingal Bay, Delta Work and Presenting Percy to name a few recent victors. Sire Du Berlais has been well-supported in the ante-post market since…

The Fred Winter is normally run at a frenetic gallop in what can often be an untidy looking race. Paul Nicholls and Gordon Elliot have dominated proceedings in recent seasons and the latter holds a strong hand this year with the Paul Nicholls fancy, Friend Or Foe, missing out at…

The first edition of handicap tips for the Cheltenham Festival this year features the Close Brothers Novices Handicap Chase on Champion Day. Last year’s winner Mister Whitaker runs in the Ultima earlier on the card and he came into this carrying bottom-weight of 11st 2lbs last season. Clearly he was…