Blogs: Horse Racing

A huge field of juveniles races six furlongs down Redcar's straight for one of Europe's richest two-year-old prizes, a sales-linked contest where weight allowances, the draw and early speed all play a significant part. Our trends guide covers the profile, the draw and the shortlist.

Seven furlongs on Redcar's straight, galloping track gives the Guisborough Stakes its character, a Listed contest where established performers with a strong late surge tend to come to the fore late in the campaign. Our trends guide covers the profile, the draw and the shortlist.

Seven furlongs on Ascot's straight course makes the Challenge Cup an autumn puzzle, with a competitive field tackling a stiff finish where horses who stay the trip strongly usually outlast the speedier types. Our trends guide covers the profile, the draw and the shortlist.

Fillies and mares contest a Group 1 over the Rowley Mile each autumn, a race where three-year-olds fresh from classic campaigns regularly clash with seasoned older milers for one of the division's most prestigious prizes. Our trends guide covers the profile, the draw and the shortlist.

Named after one of the finest hurdlers Ireland has produced, this Grade 2 at Tipperary gives two-mile hurdlers a valuable midwinter outing, often acting as a stepping stone towards the big spring championship targets. Our trends guide covers the winning profile and the shortlist.

Roscommon's Kilbegnet gives emerging chasers an early-season examination, a race where fluent, accurate jumping frequently separates the contenders and a few smart novices have used it as a springboard for bigger targets. Our trends guide covers the winning profile and the shortlist.

Stayers gather at the Curragh for a marathon two-mile handicap, a race where dour galloping types and jumps-trained horses have often thrived and a kind assessment from the handicapper can prove crucial. Our trends guide covers the profile, the draw and the shortlist.

The Kerry National is the centrepiece of Listowel's Harvest Festival, a valuable staying handicap chase on a tight, sharp track where agility over the fences matters just as much as reserves of stamina. Our trends guide covers the winning profile and the shortlist.

Newbury's Group 2 for two-year-olds over six furlongs has a strong record of producing high-class sprinters and milers, drawing the leading juveniles as the autumn campaign gathers pace. Our trends guide covers the profile, the draw and the shortlist.

Europe's most valuable sprint handicap sends a huge field six furlongs across Ayr at the Western Meeting, a race where the draw has traditionally exerted an enormous influence. Our trends guide covers the profile, the draw and the shortlist.