GRAND NATIONAL
International Affairs: London – The 2018 UK Flat season finally comes alive next week when the Guineas trials are run at Newmarket and Newbury, but our more immediate task is to find you the winner of Saturday’s Grand National, the greatest steeplechase in the world.
WEST COAST
International Affairs: London – March goes out in a blaze of glory this weekend, with £1 million up for grabs at Lingfield’s All-Weather championships on Friday – a tasty hors d’oeuvres to what promises to be a bonanza Dubai World Cup Night both on turf and dirt at Meydan 24 hours later.
MIGHT BITE
International Affairs: London – It seems we Brits waste our breath in banging the drum abroad about how exciting jump racing can be. “It’s tough enough to find a winner without any obstacles in the way,” is the usual dismissal.
WORLD APPROVAL
International Affairs: London – Canadian trainer Mark Casse, who broke new ground when sending out 2015 Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Tepin to slam the Europeans in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot the following year, now has Dubai in his sights.
Geoff Lester: London – Gun Runner is likely to be crowned the USA’s Horse of the Year for 2017 at Thursday’s prestigious Eclipse Awards ceremony at Gulfstream Park and 48 hours later out on the Florida track, connections of the brilliant Breeders’ Cup Classic winner might be topping up their celebrations in the $16-million Pegasus World Cup.
International Affairs: London – Godolphin made their customary good start on the opening night of the 2018 Dubai Carnival at Meydan last week, but it was local trainer Salem Bin Ghadayer who took the major honours on the dirt.
