Racing Post

Imminent changes to the Cheltenham Festival race programme, the even more imminent crowning of Willie Mullins as British champion trainer and whetting the appetite for the year's first Classics - this week's edition of The Front Page is certainly not short of material.

James Stevens digs deep into his midweek Cheltenham scoop as we try to predict how the 2025 festival will look following an admission from the Jockey Club that moves will be made to strengthen the meeting. Will races be axed, could others be amended and is it time to keep novices out of the handicaps?

Willie Mullins had a great time at Cheltenham, which is a major reason why he holds a clear lead in Britain's trainers' championship. Lee Mottershead puts his achievement into context as the team asks what it will mean for the sport now and in the future if Mullins does indeed claim the title.

Finally we switch our attention to the Flat as Jonathan Harding assesses last week's Guineas trials before the panel busts a big myth about British Flat racing.

David Jennings is joined by Keith Melrose, Tom Park and Unibet's Ed Nicholson to preview the action at Ayr and Newbury this weekend.

In the first part of the show the panel analyses Ayr's ITV card which will go a long way in deciding who wins the National Hunt Trainers' title with Mullins, Nicholls and Skelton all sending runners to the track. 

The second part of the show switches attention to the Flat at Newbury with the big race of the day being the Spring Cup. The panel looks at all the action that will be live on ITV.

To finish, the team provides their weekend NAPs.

This week's edition of The Front Page is a Grand National special as Lee Mottershead, Peter Scargill and Maddy Playle combine for a comprehensive debrief of the sport's greatest race.

As well as analysing I Am Maximus's runaway success, the team debates the strengths and weaknesses of this year's contest and assesses the Grand National's future in light of a renewal in which 21 horses finished and, thankfully, none fell.

The programme also looks back at the rest of the Aintree festival and looks forward to the final two weeks of a gripping trainers' championship battle. On top of all that, there are even horses to follow for the new Flat season.

Sam Hart is joined by Graeme Rodway, Jonny Pearson and Unibet's Ed Nicholson to preview the action on Grand National day at Aintree.

In the first part of the show the panel focus on the big one, the Grand National. The team analyse the chance of the current favourite Corach Rambler, as well as some of the others towards the top of the market. They also provide their 1-2-3s for the National and mention a few outsiders in the field. 

The second part of the show looks at the rest of the excellent Aintree card. The panel have a couple of strong 8-1 fancies for the card. 

To finish, the team give the rest of their tips for this weekend's racing, before giving their NAPs.

We lead with some breaking news on a packed show this week in which Racing Post editor Tom Kerr is joined by West Country correspondent James Stevens and deputy Ireland editor David Jennings.

Kicking us off is a breaking story about Jockey Club prize-money cuts following a fall in Cheltenham Festival attendance that compounded the impact of affordability checks on betting turnover. We look at what it means for racing and where the sport goes from here.

The panel then turns to Aintree and Saturday's Grand National, with all the big talking points assessed including the paucity of the home challenge, impact of likely heavy ground, an enthralling trainers' title race and the panel's tips for the National.

Finally, we look at a couple of sad stories reminding us of the dangers jockeys face every day. Stefano Cherchi, just 23, tragically died following a fall in Canberra, while Aidan Coleman announced his retirement aged 35 following serious knee injuries.

Stefano Cherchi fundraiser: https://www.gofundme.com/f/stenafo-cherchi
The Graham Lee Racing Club: https://thegoodracing.co/product/graham-lee-racing-club/

Sam Hart is joined by Robbie Wilders, Matt Gardner and Unibet's Ed Nicholson to preview the action at Kelso and Kempton this weekend.

In the first part of the show the panel analyses Kelso's ITV card which will hopefully get the go ahead with inspections sceduled for the Scottish track. Ed Nicholson is very keen on the chances of a 14-1 shot on the card.

The second part of the show switches attention to the Polytrack at Kempton, where there are three competitive contests to get stuck into, including the Queen's Prize Handicap for the stayers.

To finish, the team provide their other weekend racing tips, look ahead to next weeks Grand National, before giving their weekend NAPs.

Get the latest golf betting tips for the upcoming Valero Texas Open & LIV Golf Miami, as James Mason and Steve Palmer take a look at this week’s tournaments.
 
The team also take a look back at the Houston Open and Indian Open from last week, analysing who stood out, as well as who underperformed. Steve gives us his best predictions for this week's tournaments, including other selections who could be worth backing in the markets. 

Reflections on a huge day of top international competition, analysis of grim financial figures for British racing and discussions on three important regulatory decisions are on the table in this week's edition of The Front Page.

Scott Burton is back home after working at Meydan, where there were some stunning winning performances on World Cup night but also another case of Auguste Rodin completely failing to fire. The panel looks at what that means for his reputation and what lessons can be learned from the Dubai action.

The Flat season might be kicking into gear but the jumps campaign is anything but over, with thoughts now turning to the Randox Grand National. Defending champion and ante-post favourite Corach Rambler is set to be ridden as usual by Derek Fox after Lucinda Russell's jockey survived a meeting of the BHA's Whip Review Committee. We look at Fox's case and those relating to Tony Martin and Gary Sanderson.

The programme ends with Bill Barber's revelation that online betting turnover on racing fell by the equivalent of £1.75 billion in the last financial year, wiping tens of millions from the sport's media rights deals. The team argues that the scary figures hammer home why the government has to think again about affordability checks.

Join Jack Reeve and Mark Langdon as they return for the latest episode of Bets Club, giving you the best bets and predictions for this week's Premier League fixtures and more.


The international break is behind us & the run in starts now as the team kick off by previewing the big match, Manchester City vs Arsenal. Can Arsenal finally turn the tide at the Etihad?


Mark then gives his best bets in all of this weekend’s Premier League fixtures, including Aston Villa hosting local rivals Wolves..


Dan Childs returns with his best bets in the EFL, giving us lots of analysis on this week’s team in focus, Colchester United.


Follow Mark as he takes a look at the best multiple offers this game week too, as the team create a bet builder, a treble and give their other best bets.

Sam Hart is joined by David Jennings, Graeme Rodway and Unibet's Ed Nicholson to preview the action at Musselburgh and Haydock this weekend.

In the first part of the show the panel analyses Musselburgh's opening flat meeting of the season. The competitive Queen's Cup is the feature, and David Jennings is strong on the chances of one of the runners.

The second part of the show switches attention back to the jumps at Haydock, where there are three competitive contests to get stuck into, including the Unibet Middle Distance Veterans' Handicap Chase Finale.

To finish, the team provide their other weekend racing tips before giving their weekend NAPs.