Graham Clark

6 days ago | northeastbylines.co.uk | Graham Clark

Having travelled across the length of Italy many times and dining in probably far too many pizzerias, one thing I have discovered is that eating out in Italy is a family occasion; from grandparents to children the whole family appears to dine out en masse. Usually there is a television in the corner blaring out the latest pop music, game show or sports channel.

1 week ago | sportinglife.com | Graham Clark

When times are tough it is often the oldest friends you can count on to lift your spirits. Without a winner at Royal Ascot since 2022 ,flat racing’s mid-summer highlight has been anything but a happy hunting ground for trainer Charlie Applebly. And following defeat for the likes of Notable Speech in the Queen Anne Stakes, Ruling Court in the St James’s Palace Stakes and Treanmor in the Chesham Stakes it was beginning to look like another meeting to forget for Godophin’s main man.

1 week ago | sportinglife.com | Graham Clark

Get It added the Wokingham to his 2024 Stewards’ Cup success in a thrilling renewal of the Royal Ascot handicap. The seven-year-old was away and into stride before any of his rivals and was never to be headed having set a fierce pace under Seamie Heffernan. Still clear a furlong out, it seemed inevitable that the closers would arrive and they duly did in the shape of 3/1 favourite More Thunder and Holkham Bay (28/1).

1 week ago | sportinglife.com | Graham Clark

Noble Champion routed his rivals in the Jersey Stakes to provide the Ed Walker - Kieran Shoemark team with a second success of the week. The jockey's only worry came from the 25/1 chance outsider drifting left off the bridle but he was clear of his rivals and remained so, going on to score by three lengths. Spy Chief blazed a trail down for much of the contest and held on for second ahead of the market principals Commanche Brave and Remmooz.

1 week ago | sportinglife.com | Graham Clark

Lazzat (9/2) provided Wathan Racing with their fifth and most significant success of the week when sprinting to glory in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. International raiders dominated the contest, the winner breaking smartly under James Doyle and making all down the centre of the track. The danger was to emerge close to the stands’ rail as Japanese star Santo Reve gained momentum and began to close fast.