Skip to main content
Regional secretary with the National Education Union
This weekend’s racing with Farringdon: February 11-12
Including races at Newbury, Uttoxeter and Lingfield
Yorksea (left) being ridden by Niall Houlihan

Disclaimer: Compulsive gambling can harm your health and relationships, and leave you in serious debt. If you have a problem with gambling and you’d like to stop, support and treatment is available. To find information, support and counselling on gambling addiction, please visit the NHS website: www.bit.ly/NHSGambling

IT IS the final weekend of “real” Cheltenham Trials with the Newbury meeting and with the main betting event being the Handicap Hurdle at 3.35 and despite the drying ground, it is nice to see that a field of 18 (maximum of 25) will go to post headed by the gambled on Irish raider Filey Bay.

Two from two this season for the Grand National winning trainer Emmet Mullins, this lightly raced youngster will only be having his 10th race under rules and his fifth over hurdles so there should be at least a modicum of improvement still to come.

The son of Fame and Glory has a plenty of stamina on both sides of his breeding, but seems to have plenty of speed to deal with an event that is not always run at the furious pace that it was traditionally associated with in its early days. Both of his victories have come in impressive fashion, leading in the closing stages and hitting the line very strong and a 9lbs penalty taking his mark to 133 may still underestimate the height of his talent.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
Connor Beasley riding Commanche Falls on Betfred John O'Gaunt Stakes Day at Haydock Park Racecourse, Newton-le-Willows, June 8, 2024
Horse racing / 2 August 2025
2 August 2025

Including races at Goodwood, Newmarket and Thirsk

Kalpana, October 19, 2024
Horse racing / 26 July 2025
26 July 2025

Including races at Ascot, York, Chester and Newcastle 

Havana Hurricane ridden by Charles Bishop on their way to winning the Windsor Castle Stakes on day two of Royal Ascot at Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire, June 18, 2025
Horse racing / 19 July 2025
19 July 2025

Including races at Newbury, Market Rasen, Curragh, Ripon, Newmarket, Haydock and Doncaster

Jockey William Buick celebrates on board Notable Speech after winning the Sussex Stakes during day two of the Goodwood Festival, Chichester, July 31, 2024
Horse Racing / 12 July 2025
12 July 2025

Including races at Newmarket, York and Ascot

Similar stories
Theatre Man ridden by jockey Harry Bannister in the Jm Finn
Horse Racing / 22 March 2025
22 March 2025
Including races at Newbury, Kelso, Bangor and Wolverhampton
Racing / 1 March 2025
1 March 2025
Including races at Newbury, Doncaster and Kelso
Racing / 4 January 2025
4 January 2025
Including races at Sandown, Wincanton, Wolverhampton and Southwell
Secret Squirrel ridden by David Bass goes to post before the
Racing / 21 December 2024
21 December 2024
Including races at Ascot and Haydock Park