Horse Racing Previews

Gareth Topham previews one of his favourite races at Royal Ascot, the 2m6f Queen Alexandra Stakes, and casts his eyes over the runners.

Gareth Topham looks ahead to the Hardwicke Stakes on Saturday afternoon, and has all his faith in Maraahel to secure a third win in the race.

Gareth Topham now looks ahead to one of his favourite flat races of the year, the Gold Cup.

Gareth Topham looks ahead to the Queen Anne Stakes, in order to try and get punters off to a flying start.

Gareth Topham looks ahead to next weeks Royal Ascot meeting, and previews a few of the feature races.

Gareth Topham casts his eye over the Coronation Cup field for Friday.

Gareth Topham is all guns blazing now for Epsom's three big group 1 races this weekend, and selects a horse in each!

This weekend will see the premier classic of the flat season take place, the Derby. This years' renewal could be a vintage one with dual Guineas victor Henrythenavigator entered, along with Sir Michael Stoute's classy pair Tajaaweed and Tartan Bearer, Godolphins' Rio De La Plata and Ibn Khaldun, Curtain Call for the Luca Cumani camp, and also New Approach, who Jim Bolger his trainer has recently said is a likely runner despite previous doubts, and Dermot Weld's Casual Conquest who will possibly be supplemented. Those are just a few of the fascinating names that could turn up for what should be an epic, Epsom clash.

There are questions to ask however. Will Casual Conquest turn up? If he does, he should be a danger to most after his runaway win in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown, a race which has thrown up some Epsom winners before. Does Curtain Call have the class to win a race of this nature, and all of the hustle and bustle that comes with it on the day? It was only a small race that he won at Nottingham and although all he could do was win, and the manner of his success was very impressive, he still must prove that he can mix it with the best 3yo's around. Godolphin currently aren't in great form which could be a worry.

Henrythenavigator is well fancied by connections and also the punters. He has proven class as he has already twice tasted Classic glory. Each time he has beaten, to my disappointment, New Approach. I am wondering however whether the extra half mile may swing things in the Bolger stable star's favour.online betting.

 

Twice before I have fancied the Bolger representative and I am not ready to ditch him quite yet. Obviously Ballydoyle know what they're doing with Henrythenavigator...the team have won Derbys before and they know what it takes. They believe he will stay. Although, for Jim Bolger, to know all of this, and put his representative back in the race, it seems a very significant decision. Outsped twice over a mile by A' O' Brien's hero, the twists and turns of Epsom may see the tables turn. horse racing betting.

 

I rate the Stoute pair as the main threats. Tartan Bearer was a good Dante winner, and although Twice Over on that day was disappointing, there was lots to like about Tartan Bearer's battling display. Tajaaweed was a brave winner of the Dee Stakes at Chester last time out, and if Richard Hills, who rides very well from the front can get him out of the stalls prominently and dictate, he could take some catching. The Stoute stable followed up the Dee Stakes with Derby glory in 2003 with Kris Kin. At the prices, New Approach is given one more chance. If he doesn't turn up, for me it could be another Derby for Sir Michael Stoute.

Take your pick!

Selection - New Approach, 4.00 Epsom, (07/06/08).

Gareth Topham previews Saturday's big race at Haydock.

Gareth Topham has commentated at a couple of Point To Points himself, and looks forward to the big, end of season finale at Stratford on Saturday.