Blogs: Horse Racing

Doncaster's Futurity Trophy is the season's final Group 1 for two-year-olds, a mile on the straight track that has launched a great many subsequent classic careers. Our trends guide covers the profile, the draw and the shortlist.

Juvenile sprinters contest a Listed race over six furlongs at Doncaster, a late-season opportunity for two-year-olds still improving as the autumn campaign draws on. Our trends guide covers the profile, the draw and the shortlist.

The Showcase Trophy is a valuable early-season handicap at Cheltenham, where horses already proven around the demanding undulations frequently hold an edge over their unexposed rivals. Our trends guide covers the winning profile and the shortlist.

Cheltenham's Sharp Novices' Hurdle gives emerging talent an early look at the sport's most demanding track, where the uphill finish quickly exposes any shortage of stamina. Our trends guide covers the winning profile and the shortlist.

Cheltenham's Showcase meeting opens the track's season with this competitive handicap chase, where course experience and a workable mark both count for plenty right from the outset. Our trends guide covers the winning profile and the shortlist.

Ascot's autumn handicap chase brings out sound jumpers who handle a stiff track, with a workable mark and proven stamina both counting heavily in the closing stages. Our trends guide covers the winning profile and the shortlist.

Aintree's Old Roan opens the Mildmay course season proper, a Grade 2 over an extended two and a half miles where smart chasers reappear after their summer break. Our trends guide covers the winning profile and the shortlist.

A competitive chase at Wexford, where sound jumping and course experience count for plenty around a track that asks searching questions of every runner. Our trends guide covers the winning profile and the shortlist.

Dundalk's Mercury Stakes is a Group 3 sprint over five furlongs on the all-weather, drawing speedy types to Ireland's floodlit track late in the campaign. Our trends guide covers the profile, the draw and the shortlist.

Down Royal's Champion Chase opens the Irish jumps season at Grade 1 level, a three-mile test that regularly attracts leading staying chasers with bigger spring targets in mind. Our trends guide covers the winning profile and the shortlist.