In the 4.15 at Hereford on Thursday, The Tourard Man was put back over hurdles after an abortive spell over fences last winter, but has done nothing wrong this time around and can complete a five-timer. Twice a winner in the point-to-point sphere earlier in his career, the Shantou gelding has looked much more the finished article over the larger obstacles on his last two starts and, while…

The Ryder Cup gets underway at Hazeltine National Golf Club, Chaska, Minnesota on Friday, September 30 with Europe looking to win one of the most prestigious prizes in the game for the fourth successive time. Hazeltine is an extremely long golf course – over 7,600 yards long, in fact – with three par-5s in excess of 600 yards, but the rough is cut short, so it’s not as…

The William Hill Ayr Gold Cup (3.45) on Saturday is as competitive as ever, but it’s hard ante post favourite Growl (6/1), who was denied a clear run at a crucial stage in the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood seven weeks ago. Richard Fahey’s 4-year-old eventually snatched fourth, 1½ lengths behind the winner, Dancing Star, but the way he quickened in the last half a furlong suggested that he…

A total of 15 horses stood their ground at the latest declaration stage for the Ladbrokes St. Leger Stakes (3.45) at Doncaster on Saturday, but Aidan O’Brien’s Galileo colt Idaho is already odds-on (1.97) on Betfair. Idaho finished second in the Derby and third in the Irish equivalent before forging clear in the closing stages to win the Great Voltigeur Stakes by 1¾ lengths from stable companion Housesofparliament…

In the 6.30 at Sedgefield on Thursday, Trafalgar Rock is 2-2 over hurdles and, at the time of writing, favourite at 2.02 on Betfair to complete a hat-trick. However, while the Mount Nelson gelding won easily enough on his debut at Uttoxeter in June, the form hasn’t worked out and he had to work much harder to beat 100/1 outsider Playingwithnumbers at Worcester five weeks ago. Once again,…