Racing Post

Tickets that are selling slower than usual, races being run faster than usual and a European snub for York and Ascot are the subjects up for debate in this week’s edition of The Front Page. James Stevens asks why the Cheltenham Festival is proving a harder sell than in previous years, with Gold Cup day not yet sold out and the meeting’s first three days in danger of suffering another attendance drop. Lee Mottershead looks at claims made by Harry Fry and Aidan Coleman that British jumps races are being run at too fast a pace, producing unappetising contests in which the last man standing wins. Both men believe the sport needs a culture change. The BHA wanted to change the City of York Stakes and British Champions Long Distance Cup from Group 2 to Group 1 status. Maddy Playle examines the European Pattern Committee’s failure to support the proposals and the wider fear over a reduction in quality of the top European prizes.

Sam Hart is joined by David Jennings, Matt Gardner and Unibet's Ed Nicholson to preview the action at Ascot, Haydock and Wincanton this weekend. The first part of the show analyses the card at Ascot. L'Homme Presse, one of the leading British contenders for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, heads the market for the Grade 1 Ascot Chase, but does Venetia Williams current form worry the panel? In the second part of the show, the team preview the action at Haydock and Wincanton. Haydock hosts its Grand National Trial, while Wincanton's feature is the Grade 2 Kingwell Hurdle. To finish, the team provide their other weekend racing tips before giving their weekend NAPs.

Two huge punting festivals and two huge issues for punters exercise the panel on this week's edition of The Front Page. Maddy Playle gets the ball rolling by assessing the weekend's top performances and particularly Shishkin's Newbury success. Can he now win the Cheltenham Gold Cup? And why were only 5,000 people at Newbury? Both questions are tackled in depth. Lee Mottershead then highlights his latest Monday column, which criticised overzealous bookmaker restrictions. He argues these must be sending racing fans to the black market. Affordability checks are already doing exactly that, a point that will no doubt be raised at the key Westminster Hall debate later this month. We have the latest on that as well. Peter Scargill wraps things up by leading debate on the Grand National entries and asking a question that will exercise plenty of minds between now and the great race - how small will the British contingent be?

Sam Hart is joined by Keith Melrose, Jonny Pearson and Unibet's Ed Nicholson to preview the action at Newbury and Warwick this weekend. The first part of the show analyses the card at Newbury. The highlight there is the Betfair Hurdle, which is as competitive as it gets. Keith Melrose gives an excellent analysis of the Willie Mullins French recruit Ocastle De Mottes, who has been well supported all week into favoritism. In the second part of the show, the team preview the action at Warwick which sees 2023 Mares' Novices Hurdle winner You Wear It Well take her chance in the listed Warwick Mares' Hurdle.  To finish, the team provide their other weekend racing tips before giving their weekend NAPs. NAPs.

This week on the Front Page the panel of Tom Kerr, Chris Cook, Bill Barber and James Stevens is focused on the Dublin Racing Festival and Willie Mullins' extraordinary eight-Grade 1 haul at the festival. The panel also debates what makes the DRF so popular with racegoers and what other tracks can do to draw in more proper racing fans. Bill, the Racing Post's industry editor, gives the latest on the affordability checks debate scheduled for later this year. You can send your MP a letter urging them to attend via https://racingdebate.eaction.org.uk/email Finally, we look at the Milton Harris case, in which the now former trainer was found to be "not a fit and proper person" to hold a licence.

James Stevens is joined by Keith Melrose, Jonny Pearson and Unibet's Brett Williams to preview the action at Sandown, Musselburgh and Leopardstown this weekend. The first part of the show analyses the card at Sandown, where the highlight is the Grade 1 Scilly Isles Novices' Chase. Unibet have Hermes Allen, who was last seen finishing behind the magnificent Il Est Francais at Kempton, as their hot favourite. In the second part of the show, the team preview the action in Scotland at Musselburgh with some really competitive handicaps to get stuck into. To finish, the team provide their other weekend racing selections from both the UK and at the Dublin Racing Festival before giving their weekend NAPs.

Sam Hart is joined by Keith Melrose, James Stevens and Unibet's Brett Williams to preview the action at Cheltenham and Doncaster this weekend. The first part of the show studies Saturday's superb card at Cheltenham card, where there are sure to be some major festival clues. We also get the bonus of seeing the rearranged Clarence House Chase after Ascot was frozen off last week. In the second part of the show, the team takes a look at Doncaster's ITV card. Willie Mullins sends over classy mares Ashroe Diamond and Gala Marceau for the Grade 2 Yorkshire Rose Mares' Hurdle. To finish, the team provide their other weekend racing selections before giving their weekend NAPs.

Join James Stevens, Jonathan Harding and Richard Forristal for a look back on the big news stories from the racing world. James reflects on Lingfield's Winter Million meeting and its switch to Windsor in 2025 and the panel discuss whether L'Homme Presse is a leading Cheltenham Gold Cup contender. Jonathan assesses the latest racecourse attendance figures and what could improve crowds on British racecourses. After a thought-provoking column, Richard calls for donations for Graham Lee and Richard 'Sparky' Bevis after their incidents remind us of the dangers of the sport. Link to Richard's column - https://www.racingpost.com/news/opinion/comment/racing-doesnt-happen-without-the-sacrifices-of-people-like-graham-lee-and-richard-bevis-now-they-need-our-support-apcW24w5FArA/ Graham Lee - https://www.justgiving.com/page/amy-lee-1699871461293?checkoutMode=Headless Richard 'Sparky' Bevis - https://www.gofundme.com/f/xrk8w-support-richard-sparky-bevis?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=social&utm_sou

Sam Hart is joined by Robbie Wilders, Tom Park and Unibet's Brett Williams to preview the action at Lingfield this weekend. Jumps action in Britain has been wiped out so Lingfield is the port of call for ITV's coverage. Ryan Moore heads there for four rides on the all-weather and should be popular with punters, but the panel are taking him on in the highlight on the card, the Winter Oaks Fillies' Handicap.  On Sunday, we hope to have jump racing back at Lingfield for the final day of the Winter Million festival. The return of big Cheltenham Gold Cup hope L'Homme Presse is the big talking point, but do our panellists think he will end up being the best of the British for the big one in March? To finish, the team give their other weekend racing selections before giving their weekend NAPs.

British racing does not have enough high-class jumpers and the best of the lot is not being tested in the way one former legend of the sport would like. Those two subjects and a blockbuster interview are the hot topics in this week's edition of The Front Page. In a programme recorded before it was announced Constitution Hill will not run at Cheltenham next week, Maddy Playle focuses on criticism from David Elsworth and the Racing Post's Richard Forristal about the Champion Hurdle winner being campaigned too lightly. Lee Mottershead then examines Arc boss Martin Cruddace's incendiary comments about media rights transparency, racehorse trainers and racecourses before Chris Cook examines how the latest Cheltenham Festival entries shine a worrying light on the state of British jumping.

Sam Hart is joined by Keith Melrose, Jonny Pearson and Unibet's Brett Williams to preview the action at Kempton, Warwick and Wetherby this weekend.   The first part of the show looks at Warwick. There are two competitive handicap chases being covered from the Midlands track. The first being the Classic Chase, which is followed by the rearranged Unibet Veterans' Chase. Can the panel solve these tricky puzzles?   In the second part of the show, the team look at Kempton and Wetherby's Saturday cards. The Grade 2 Silviniaco Conti Chase is possibly the race of the weekend, and Brett and Keith are strong on one in the five-runner affair.    To finish, the team give their other weekend racing selections before giving their weekend NAPs.

Racing Post editor Tom Kerr is joined by West Country correspondent James Stevens and deputy industry editor Peter Scargill for the first Front Page of 2024. The panel discusses the mixed reception for the launch of Premier racing, the sport's big new plan to boost interest in the sport, and the trial of Sunday evening all-weather action. Also on the agenda is a look ahead at the Cheltenham Festival after entries for several key races were published last week, including a record low number for the Gold Cup. Finally, the team looks back at the Ultimate Racing Bucket List series and nominates their own must-visit destinations in Britain, Ireland and around the globe. What would you add to the list? SPECIAL OFFER: Ante-post Pricewise is back with a new festival series running from January 8! The series has returned a profit for five years running and secured backers a return on investment of 176% during that time. Members' Club Ultimate subscribers get full access to Pricewise's advice and you can join now w

Sam Hart is joined by Robbie Wilders, Matt Gardner and Unibet's Ed Nicholson to preview the action at Wincanton and Newcastle this weekend.   The first part of the show looks at Wincanton. Paul Nicholls has an excellent strike-rate at the Somerset track, and the panel is keen on a couple of his runners.   In the second part of the show, the team look at Newcastle's Saturday card, which is a late addition to the ITV Saturday schedule following Sandown's abandonment. There is the potential to see two very exciting novice hurdlers in action in the north-east, but does the panel think either of the two favourites of the novice races can be beaten?   To finish, the team give their other weekend racing selections before giving their weekend NAPs

Sam Hart is joined by Graeme Rodway, Jonny Pearson and Unibet's Ed Nicholson to preview the action at Newbury, Haydock & Taunton this weekend. The first part of the show looks at Newbury, with the main focus being the Grade 1 Challow Novices' Hurdle featuring some top-class novices. Paul Nicholls has won the race recently with the likes of Hermes Allen, Bravemansgame and Stage Star. Could his leading runner, Captain Teague, lower the colours of Willmount? In the second part of the show, the team look at Haydock's and Taunton's Saturday cards, on which they're in agreement against the 5-6 favourite Queen Gamble. To finish, the team give their New Year's Day racing selections before giving their weekend NAPs.

It's the Front Page end of year special and panellists Tom Kerr, Maddy Playle, David Jennings and Lee Mottershead take you on a whistle-stop tour of the year's biggest stories and use that as a springboard to preview the stories and questions that are going to dominate 2024. Will we finally find out what's happening with affordability checks? Is the Irish gambling bill a threat to the future of the sport? Who's the next Frankie Dettori - and will the man himself be back in 2024? Is Premier racing going to be the next big thing or a busted flush? Has Animal Rising deflated for good and are the changes to the National a mistake? Who are the superstars to watch out for on the track?

Sam Hart is joined by David Jennings, Tom Park and Unibet's Ed Nicholson to preview the action at Ascot and Haydock this weekend. The first part of the show is on Ascot, with the main focus being the Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle featuring some legends of the National Hunt game such as Champ, Paisley Park and Dashel Drasher. Will the panel be taking on some of these old-timers? In the second part of the show, the team look at Haydock's Saturday card, on which there is an agreement on an 8-1 selection in the Tommy Whittle Handicap Chase. To finish, the team give their Christmas racing selections before giving their weekend NAPs.

Sam Hart is joined by Maddy Playle, James Stevens and Unibet's Ed Nicholson to preview the action at Cheltenham and Doncaster this weekend. The first part of the show focuses on Cheltenham where there are some incredibly competitive handicaps taking place. The December Gold Cup looks a strong race as always, and the panel provide their tips the big race. In the second part, the team look at Doncaster's Saturday card, on which there is an agreement on a 9/1 selection in the final race.   To finish, the team give their selections away from the ITV cameras before giving their weekend NAPs.

Three big subjects and three big problems for racing make for a meaty edition of The Front Page. Lee Mottershead, Chris Cook and Jonathan Harding begin by discussing a big-race weekend that featured Jonbon, El Fabiolo and, regrettably, scenes of violence at Aintree. Serious questions are then asked about the imminent launch of Premier racing, with the panel discussing the lack of money and promotion that threatens to turn a bold concept into a damp squib. Inadequate funding is also at the heart of concerns regarding aftercare provision in Britain, a subject that last week sparked parliamentary interest. The Front Page team examines what the sport needs to do and where the necessary money might be found.

Sam Hart is joined by David Jennings, Keith Melrose and Unibet's Ed Nicholson to preview the action at Sandown and Aintree this weekend. The first part of the show focuses on Sandown, with three Grade 1s taking place on the card. Will we get to see Constitution Hill light up Esher in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle? The panel give their thoughts on the big-race action. We also get to hear from Nico de Boinville about his rides aboard Constitution Hill and Jonbon ahead of the weekend. In the second part, the team look at Aintree's card on Saturday. We see the Grand National fences being jumped in the Becher Chase, which looks as competitive as ever.   To finish, the team give their selections away from the ITV cameras before giving their NAPs of the weekend.

Sam Hart is joined by David Jennings and Jonny Pearson to preview the action at Newbury, Newcastle and Fairyhouse this weekend. The first part of the show focuses on Newbury, with the highlight on the card being the competitive Coral Gold Cup. It looks like a real puzzle on paper, but Jonny has a NAP running in the race. In the second part, the team take a brief look at the card at Newcastle and the return of the magnificent Constitution Hill, who is short odds to win another Grade 1 in the Fighting Fifth Hurdle. To finish, the team take a look at some of the Sunday racing from Fairyhouse and give their best bets elsewhere, along with their NAPs for the weekend.