Blogs: Horse Racing

Five furlongs down Longchamp's straight decides the Abbaye, a Group 1 dash open to all ages where British and Irish sprinters have long enjoyed success, and a quick break from the stalls is almost essential. Our trends guide covers the profile, the draw and the shortlist.

Seven furlongs at Group 1 level on Arc day, the Prix de la Forêt sits between a sprint and a mile, often favouring horses with genuine pace who can still stay on strongly through the closing stages. Our trends guide covers the profile, the draw and the shortlist.

York closes its flat season with a long-distance handicap on the Knavesmire, a stamina test where autumn ground often turns soft, and horses who keep galloping relentlessly to the line tend to finish on top. Our trends guide covers the profile, the draw and the shortlist.

York’s autumn mile handicap draws a big, competitive field to the Knavesmire late in the season, when softening ground, the draw and a horse’s form over the summer can all tip the balance in a closely fought finish. Our trends guide covers the profile, the draw and the shortlist.

Back at Chepstow, the Welsh Champion Hurdle gives two-mile hurdlers an early-season target on an undulating track with a stiff run-in, where proven stamina and sound jumping usually tell over raw speed. Our trends guide covers the winning profile and the shortlist.

Two-year-olds tackle seven furlongs of the stiff Rowley Mile at Group 3 level, a demanding early test that has given several subsequent classic performers their first real examination against quality opposition. Our trends guide covers the profile, the draw and the shortlist.

Two-year-olds face a stiff mile at Group 2 level on the Rowley Mile, a searching examination whose roll of honour has repeatedly featured colts who went on to make their mark in the following season's classics. Our trends guide covers the profile, the draw and the shortlist.

Fillies and mares contest a Listed mile on the Rowley Mile during the Cambridgeshire Meeting, a race that suits progressive types who have built steadily through the summer and still have improvement in them. Our trends guide covers the profile, the draw and the shortlist.

Seven furlongs on the Rowley Mile tests juvenile fillies at Group 2 level, and the Rockfel has a notable habit of producing fillies who return to Newmarket the following spring to contest the 1000 Guineas. Our trends guide covers the profile, the draw and the shortlist.