Harry Angel dominating his seasonal comeback race, the Duke of York Stakes at York, despite carrying a 5lb penalty against his race-fit opponents – augurs well for the top sprinter in all the big upcoming prizes, starting with the Diamond Jubilee Stakes and then the July Cup
Roaring Lion entering the Derby Picture following his four-and-a-half length win in the Betfred Dante Stakes for John Gosden and being backed from 14-1 to 6-1 for the Classic, but not denting the 4/6 of 2000 Guineas winner Saxon Warrior
Stradivarius taking the Yorkshire Cup by three-lengths giving John Gosden his second major York prize and prompting another flying dismount from Frankie Dettori – a £1m bonus now beckons if the horse is victorious in the Gold Cup, Goodwood Cup and Lonsdale Cup
Richard Fahey (pictured), Mark Johnston and John Quinn each training three winners at York’s Dante meeting, with Fahey’s three coming on the first day
Rhododendron backed into 100/30 favourite and winning the Lockinge at Newbury by a short-head to defeat Lightning Spear, the runner-up for the second year running
Hayley Turner returning to full-time race-riding in Great Britain with victory on Ripp Orf in Ascot’s Victoria Cup
Police presence, sniffer dogs, increased security and bar spotters keeping trouble at bay at Newbury following a further violent incident, this time at Ascot, a week earlier – York’s Dante meeting also passed off peacefully (pictured)
The ITV Racing being awarded a BAFTA for its coverage of last year’s Grand National, and also reporting viewing figures for the Chester May meeting on ITV4 were up to 60% higher than prior year and better than C4 achieved in its final year
Investment consortium Alizeti Capital making a first payment of £20m to Betfred for a minority share in the Tote, with a view to outright control – as already reported on The Racing Hub, the plan is to reduce deductions and invest in pool betting to increase its share of the market
Matt Chapman pointing out on ITV York bookmakers who were not offering one-quarter the odds for a handicap and disagreeing with layer a that his prices were better as a result
Racing Welfare getting behind Mental Health Awareness Week, focussing on the widespread problems which are present in racing, and ITV Racing featuring it during their York coverage
The pork pies and scotch eggs on offer at York
Jim Crowley riding three winners at Newmarket on Friday’s card comprising seven handicaps from eight races
Enable returning to light exercise following the setback which rules her out of racing for the next two months or so
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Authority appointing, albeit belatedly, a press officer following the lack of communication after imposing a 21-day ban on Paul Townsend for swerving across the fence at Punchestown
STEWARDS ROOM
…and what hasn’t been so good
Timmy Murphy losing the battle against weight issues after riding 1,134 winners, including the 2008 Grand National on Comply of Die, and announcing his retirement following victory on Happy Escape at Chepstow
Longchamp having to switch races from its “middle” track to the outer, Arc, track after criticism of the state of the ground following the major redevelopment of the Paris venue
Slippery ground leading to the loss of two races at Naas – replacement races , a 7f handicap at Leopardstown on Friday and a mile handicap at the Curragh on Saturday have been announced
US TV network, NBC, who cover the triple crown meetings, referring to Aiden O’Brien in their media pack as a UK based trainer
A lady at Ascot asking a member of the bar staff for a small white wine and being served her drink in a shot-glass
US TV network, NBC, who cover the triple crown meetings, referring to Aiden O’Brien in their media pack as a UK based trainer
