Andrew Nelis racing

Art Power looked the proverbial Group horse in a handicap when routing a big field in the Palace of Holyroodhouse Handicap at Royal Ascot. Heavily supported, the grey, trained in North Yorkshire by Tim Easterby, was sent off the 6-4 favourite despite facing 20 largely unexposed rivals. A winner at York by five lengths at the end of last season, he reappeared at Newcastle on the day racing resumed with another impressive display, leaving connections with a decision to make. He had the option of taking on Group One rivals in the Commonwealth Cup over six furlongs, but given his mark was left alone following his Newcastle romp, taking on handicappers over five appealed more and the right call was made. Former champion jockey Silvestre de Sousa bounced the King Power Racing-owned colt out smartly and he was always towards the head of affairs before he began to pull clear with two furlongs to run. John Quinn’s Keep Busy weaved through to claim second, three and a half lengths awa...

Dandalla stretched clear in impressive fashion to win the Albany Stakes for Karl Burke and Ben Curtis. Another to have won at Newcastle since racing resumed, Dandalla could be noted travelling well a couple of furlongs out and when Curtis asked the question, the 13-2 shot responded in style. Pulling clear in the final furlong, she easily accounted for Setarhe to earn quotes of 16-1 for next year's 1000 Guineas.

From famine to feast. Racing in Britain will return with a glut of big contests provided it  gets the green light to resume on June 1 . Provisional plans revealed by the BHA on Wednesday revealed that the first two Classics of the year – the 2000 Guineas and 1000 Guineas sponsored by Qipco - have been inked in for the end of the first week of action. Twenty Listed or Group races have been planned for the first seven days with Royal Ascot following fast on their heels. All will be open to international runners. And once the royal meeting is over, there will be a swift countdown to the Investec Derby and Oaks, which have been pencilled in for July 4. The Guineas will be run within the first week of racing resuming under provisional plans released on Wednesday (Focosonracing) The following days the  Coral -Eclipse will be run – exclusively for four-year-olds and older if the Derby and Oaks can be staged the previous day. However, the BHA reiterated that “the exact ti...

Ben Curtis ‘disappointed’ at delay but determined to be ready for restart Tue 12 May 2020 Champion all-weather rider  Ben Curtis  has admitted his disappointment at the continued delay to the resumption of racing in Britain – but emphasised his determination to be ready to go if the go-ahead is given for June 1. Hopes of a restart this month were dashed on Monday following news from the Government that there would be no professional sport, even behind closed doors, in England until at least that date. Curtis , who amassed 101 victories as the leading rider during the winter season before the campaign was cut short due to the coronavirus pandemic, told Sky Sports Racing: “I think disappointed was the first response to it. “I was hoping for a resumption sometime this month, but the Government has obviously set out its plan on when sports behind closed doors can resume so that’s left us in the situation we’re in at the moment. What's it going to be like ...