A St James’s Palace Stakes to savour after the Derby was robbed of arguably its star attraction is the reward for everyone with even a remote interest in racing, as Ruling Court and Field Of Gold take each other on in a rematch of the 2000 Guineas at Royal Ascot.
Trainer John Ryan saddled a double in Kilbeggan when Gaelic Arc (9/1 - 11/2) showed his mettle in the Belvedere Galway Plate Trial Handicap Steeplechase of €25,000.
Anyway, who was last seen finishing runner-up in the Grade 2 Jack Richards Novices' Limited Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, reappeared to land the beginners' chase in Kilbeggan.
Kilbeggan certainly hasn't been short of drama this evening and there was more in race five when Straight Home was left clear at the last to reward favourite backers at 2/1.
Liam Quinlan came in for a winning spare ride on The Little Yank in Division 2 of the Belvedere House & Gardens Handicap Hurdle at Kilbeggan.
My Racing StorySponsored By Tote
I'm a Downpatrick man through and through, in County Down, hence the colours of my silks. My nanny Polly was a Fitzsimons and her home place was in the middle of Downpatrick Racecourse right beside where Paddy Turley's house and yard are now. Horses have been in my blood for generations. My grandpa Willie Polly had Novello Allegro (12-time winner in his career) and he was among my first memories of horses. He passed away in 1992. In one of his memorial races at Downpatrick, a few years after he passed (May 2000), a young Jerry Hannon was given an opportunity to commentate on his race which helped to kick off his incredible career. He's the voice behind Irish racing now as well know. I rode ponies up until I was 11 or 12 years old, I broke my wrist and I never went back. It was an injury that probably interfered with other sports that I was mad about at the time.
Shortly after finishing my day’s work last Wednesday I received a WhatsApp message from a friend that included a short head-on video clip of a jockey falling from a horse and a question asking me what I thought of that?
Without having any context, I watched this isolated video clip several times and arrived at the opinion that the rider may have actually jumped off the horse for some reason, which I twigged was presumably the same conclusion my friend had come to and the reason for his question in the first place.
Royal Ascot Preview 2025
Emma Nagle is joined by broadcaster Johnny Ward and racing expert Stephen Harris to preview the best of the action at Royal Ascot. The trio also highlight notable value in the handicaps.
By Tom Weekes - EMILY LOVE has been running consistently well and is suited by conditions. Having won comfortably over similar distances at both Limerick and Perth on recent runs, she has joint-top weight but her rider claims 5lbs and she is suited by today’s likely sound surface. Stablemate Gers Gigi receives 6lb (including jockey claims) from the selection and ran well at Listowel (Jane Eire was third) last month. She has been raised 7lb for that effort and is a strong contender. Adela Icon has been well held on recent runs while Derryville steps up having won a recent maiden. Eye Of A Tiger showed plenty promise on debut but lacks experience.