Royal Pagaille looks a picture after his fine exertions in the Betfair Chase yesterday. Here on a beautiful, crisp morning at
@VenetiaWRacing
for
@RacingTV
I'm thrilled to announce that from the end of this month, I'll be a Junior Presenter for
@RacingTV
! It's a huge honour to have been given the opportunity and I can't wait to join a team I've watched and admired for so many years.
I was VERY late to Taunton when presenting alongside Jonathan last year.
He had to do the intro on his own, and made quip in his classic, wry way: 'if you're wondering where Tom Bull is...well so am I!'
Many would have had a go at me, but he just laughed about it all day.
With a heavy heart, we can confirm the death of much-loved colleague Jonathan Neesom after a short illness.
A member of the Racing TV team from the start, we will all greatly miss his knowledge, integrity, humour, enthusiasm and love of the sport.
The more I watch this run from Notable Speech, the more I love it.
A penultimate furlong sectional of 10.81secs and a final furlong sectional of 10.98 - with a finishing speed of 115%.
These are serious numbers...let's just hope he takes to the turf!
How about James Reveley? Was always mustard before he left for France.
Comes to UK/IRE for two rides so far this season and wins them both with perfect performances.
Some man
It's nearly Derby day so no better moment to resurrect what is surely the greatest racing photo ever captured on a mobile phone
Anthony Van Dyck (pink silks) went on to win...
Credit to Laura Richards
People having a pop at Brian Hughes not being at Cheltenham should remember one thing.
In its current parameters, the jockeys' championship rewards graft, winners and day-to-day dedication.
It's as it should be. A prize-money reward would lead to a most unsatisfactory outcome.
The more I watch this run from Notable Speech, the more I love it.
A penultimate furlong sectional of 10.81secs and a final furlong sectional of 10.98 - with a finishing speed of 115%.
These are serious numbers...let's just hope he takes to the turf!
Jonbon facing one rival is an indictment of a worrying trend.
Who benefits from a two runner race at Grade 2 level? Certainly not Jonbon, who needs as much experience as he can get.
Well done to Calico's connections, who've spied an opportunity. But this is very unsatisfactory
Noel Fehily is one of only two jockeys imo (the other being Ruby Walsh) who is a master of the 'soft hands' approach. Watching him ride and you will struggle to see the reins move. One of the greats, here's hoping he goes out on a victory later.
Fingers very much crossed for Major Charlie O'Shea, who was taken to hospital in an air ambulance after Wincanton's 3.50. The final race there has been abandoned.
Really looking forward to presenting Haldon Gold Cup day at Exeter for
@RacingTV
this afternoon. A privilege to be here for a meeting I've always thoroughly enjoyed.
Glorious day for it!
Don't know how these jockeys (some of whom basically operate without sleep) do it.
Interviewed James Best on Weds. He was up at 4am to ride out at Sarah Humphrey's - then went to Leicester to ride there.
Delighted to see his hard work pay off in the Classic Chase. Top ride too
Only a couple of degrees colder in Iceland 🇮🇸 than it is in the UK! What a way to spend the big 3️⃣0️⃣
The Reykjavik clerk of the course would struggle to race on that I think...
I was one of the first to say Shishkin left his career behind in the Clarence House, but that was so, so impressive.
What a fantastic effort from Nicky Henderson. Surely the Champion Chase has to be the aim now? 🟡⚫️
Jeremy Scott has always said Golden Ace is an absolute weapon - and he was bang on!
Must be some mare to beat those very good Irish. What a result!
Lorcan Williams as cool as the most composed of cucumbers
A real honour to reflect on Best Mate's three Gold Cups with Henrietta Knight today!
Stood here next to the all-time great's statue on the village green
Coming soon to
@RacingTV
I was lucky enough to travel to Jackdaws Castle to interview Jonjo O'Neill ahead of Cheltenham. Among other things, we chatted about the late, great Synchronised. If ever there was an example of a trainer loving his horse, this is it:
Extraordinary scenes at
@LeicesterRaces
as Selling winner Watermelon Sugar is bought back by Archie Watson for £31k! Anyone know the record selling price? A tremendous bidding war
If the trainers' c'ship goes down to the wire, might Willie send El Fabiolo to Sandown?
We could get an Esher boatload of Mullins horses in the big races.
Imagine if Langer Dan won the Select for Skelton and that was the crucial race. Racing would never have seen such scenes
Still cannot believe how he set such a mad gallop, went 30l clear, drifted half-way across the Cleeve, lost all momentum, got headed, and still won. An unreal talent at his best
Looking forward to my first time in the hotseat for the Friday Club on
@RacingTV
later on. Martin Dwyer alongside before he rocks off to Hong Kong. Should be a cracking show! Tune in from 4pm
Very much looking forward to presenting Cheltenham for the first time this afternoon!
Glorious day here with top billing going to Festival winner Golden Ace who's long odds-on for the Listed Novices' Hurdle.
Alongside
@DanBarberTF
from 1pm on
@RacingTV
Thank you to everyone who's sent in emails to the
@RacingTV
studio tonight. We've had over 90!
Couldn't get through all, but there's a huge consensus that something needs to be done about racecourse food - both in terms of expenditure and providing for those with intolerances.
Stopping off in Cheltenham and so good to catch up with me old pal
@Longshot_Ted
10 years to the day since he trained me at the Racing Post!
Glass of Bordeaux to celebrate 😂 🍷
#notlongnow
The Jack De Bromhead Mares' Novices' Hurdle winner You Wear It Well has 'strengthened up nicely' ahead of this year's campaign. Looks in excellent nick too.
I'm delighted to announce I've become an Ambassador for
@BrownsbarnT
! Working with such a top team will be great fun and there's plenty to watch out for in the near future, including a Cheltenham Preview Night and Open Days. Shares are still available so get in touch!
#thefuture
Well done to Alice Haynes, who lands Group 3 honours in France with Lady Hollywood in what was a strong race (Rocket Rodney et. al in behind). Excellent piece of placing from a trainer who continues to impress
Looking forward to joining
@nevisondave
and Steve Mellish tonight in a new look show! Topics include the Golden Age of Hurdlers, plus Dave recalls Grand Nationals that paid - and those that didn't. Email your own memories to studio
@racingtv
.com or tweet
@RacingTV
Live from 4.15!
Times reflect what visuals suggested yesterday.
Elmalka had the fastest sectionals for furlongs 6 & 7, but a 12.11sec final furlong from Tamfana was the quickest in the field.
Her final 2f finishing % was also best.
Unlucky not to be second, at least.
Plenty of opposition to my assertion that Jetara is an excellent each-way play for the Mares' Novices' Hurdle.
Progressive, tough, and from a fine family (dam a sister to Jezki!)
What's not to like?
Saying goodbye to Thimble today - the nuttiest, loveliest, kindest cat you could imagine. He's nearly 20 and I don't really remember life without him. He lost his doggy friend Walnut a few months ago so now they can be happy together in animal heaven.
A fascinating morning at Oaksey House chatting to Ed Barrett about his road to recovery.
An inspiration who was paralysed from the neck down eight years ago after a PTP fall but has remained determined and resolute.
On
@RacingTV
next Wednesday night
🗣 "It means so much. I lost Mum two years ago - she's up there looking down."
16 years of age & a young man with a bright future. On just his fourth ride under Rules, Freddie Gingell steers West Approach to victory at his local track
@wincantonraces
👏
Tragic news to hear about Stefano Cherchi this morning.
A lovely man who always brought a smile. You sometimes forget the dangers of racing - this hits home just how hard the sport can be.
Sending my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
RIP Stefano.
🗣️"It's all getting a bit embarrassing!"
Great to be joined by 'Jezza' (
@holworthyfarm
) who recorded a winner at
@ExeterRaces
today and reflected on Golden Ace's victory in the Ryanair Mares' Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival afterwards with
@TomBull4
👇
Weekend break in Iceland 🇮🇸 turning into an ever-evolving nightmare. All flights since Sunday cancelled, next one likely to be tomorrow night. 1000+ trapped in airport as all roads leading in and out are shut. Christmas here becoming a shorter price by the second
#blizzard
Impressive stuff!
Zarak The Brave makes his first start since May and his debut for Willie Mullins at
@Fairyhouse
and he couldn't have been more impressive in the way he scoots clear from his rivals 💨
For anyone tipping in Kempton handicaps on Tuesday, good luck!
The massive entry number means:
1.35 - 3lb separates 12 runners
2.10 - 5lb separates 10 runners
5.05 - 2lb separates 12 runners
5.40 - 4lb separates 12 runners
At least there's recent form to go on - oh wait...
Not only is this the correct decision, but hopefully it also heralds a changing ideal to favour quality over quantity. Goodness knows it needs to happen
Following extensive consultation and analysis into the best future format of The Cheltenham Festival we’re announcing today that it will continue to be staged over four days.
Find out more here 👉
BULLSEYE!🎯
We're delighted to announce that Racing TV's
@TomBull4
will be hosting our Cheltenham Festival 2023 series!🤝
Each week Tom, Dan & Jake will bring you their Ante-Post thoughts and opinions...
Episode 1 will be out on Friday!👀
Subscribe ➡️
I wouldn't claim to be a bloodstock expert but looking forward to Book 1 of
@Tattersalls1766
starting today. Three yearlings to keep an eye on in particular:
Gleneagles x Pyling (half-sister to Alcohol Free)
Frankel x So Mi Dar
Galileo x Waldlerche (full brother to Waldgeist!)
It was a privilege to talk to
@EdBarrett_9
at Oaksey House for This Racing Life.
Having been paralysed from the neck down in a point-to-point fall eight years ago, he talks about his road to recovery - a journey that's been remarkable.
Watch it tonight at 8.45 on
@RacingTV
What a pleasure it was watching
@OverandClear
on
@RacingTV
today. Missed some of his wisdom but caught the later parts. Lucid and concise, I wish I'd seen more!
@RacingTV
My sister is a coeliac and has been all her life. The smallest crumb makes her very unwell. At a lot of racecourses she'd be told to leave her gluten-free food she's brought with her at the gates. Some venues say they provide but in reality it's very minimal. Change is needed.