Watch our On The Wire Punchestown Festival special with host Johnny Ward joined by Bryan Cooper, Nicola McGeady and Mark Boylan Willie Mullins has pronounced himself fit for action ahead of the Punchestown Festival next week after a successful hip operation three weeks ago.
Mullins has enjoyed spectacular success at the traditional conclusion to the Irish jump racing season and reports that most of his leading lights will join him in making the journey from Closutton to Punchestown for the five-day meeting which begins on Tuesday.
The champion trainer – he will be crowned top trainer for the 17th time – was speaking in a wide-ranging online interview in which he touched on a range of topics not confined to but including his admiration for stable jockey Paul Townend, starting protocols, his 93-year-old mother Maureen’s “incredible appetite” for the sport, and why he has a picture of triple Ladbrokes Champion Stayers’ Hurdle winner
Quevega inside his trademark Fedora.
His Punchestown
team is headed by
Galopin Des Champs, who is on track for a possible rematch with
Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Bravemansgame in the Ladbrokes Gold Cup, a race offered further intrigue by Henry de Bromhead committing another
Cheltenham victor, Envoi Allen to taking part.
Energumene, Impaire Et Passe, El Fabiolo and Lossiemouth are other Cheltenham scorers aiming to complete a high-class double, having emerged from their exertions in better nick than their trainer, who was quite lame at Prestbury Park and had an operation scheduled upon his return.
“I was in Tramore the other day and I’m on the gallops every morning,” Mullins said. “I’ve missed very little time. “It’s fantastic what surgeons can do nowadays. I was amazed. Three weeks ago (Monday) I went in, and they kicked me out of the hospital on Wednesday morning. I was back on the gallop the next morning. I missed a few mornings; I did a little too much early on. When I came off the painkillers it soon settled me back! But it’s coming along nicely so hopefully I’ll be well able for Punchestown.”
He has spoken before of his rich memories of going to Punchestown as his legendary father Paddy brought a slew of stars from Doninga, and of his admiration for the “amphitheatre” of racing.
“It’s a nice time of year preparing for Punchestown. It’s like then end of term, when you’re going to school, you’re looking forward to the last exam and getting away for the summer holidays.
“From the time we were kids growing up, Punchestown was the end-of-season festival but it’s grown so much. The vast quality of the races, the huge prize money, the way that management are able to keep the ground safe for good horses. It’s a credit to the organisation.
“Punchestown is a tremendous festival. It’s lucky that it’s a little later in the season. It usually get the weather, gets grass, gets everything. It’s set later in the afternoon when people can get to the races and enjoy themselves. It’s got a huge amount going for it.”
He describes his Cheltenham yield of six winners as “fantastic,” while noting that there was some external expectation that he might double that tally given he was sending his biggest team. But winning the Cheltenham Gold and Queen Mother Champion Chase, as well as a number of key novice events that suggest he has the next crop covered, left him very satisfied.
Townend was hailed for his ride on Galopin Des Champs in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but it paled in comparison to his heroics on board I Am Maximus in the Irish
Grand National.
When Mullins commented on tactics deployed on Facile Vega at the Dublin Racing Festival in February, it was interpreted as criticism of Townend but that wasn’t how the boss saw it and he leaves no doubt about how highly he rates and values his man.
Ruby Walsh and Fran Berry reflect on their experiences at the Punchestown Festival
He said: “I didn’t call it criticism at the time. I just thought it was a tactic that didn’t go right. Put it the other way around. What I asked him to do on I Am Maximus in the Irish National, I had tied him down to instructions because he’s a particularly awkward horse that doesn’t like going right-handed. I’d asked him to go down the inside so he could keep horses on his outside the whole time but after a circuit, Paul changed his mind. He did the exact opposite and went down the outside and it worked.
“In Cheltenham, Paul was a jockey in the Gold Cup. In Fairyhouse, Paul was a horseman in the Irish Grand National. All he’d gleaned from pony racing, from hunting, from just riding, he put into use on I Am Maximus. I thought it was a fantastic ride. Whatever we thought about Galopin Des Champs in the Gold Cup, I thought his riding in Fairyhouse was excellent, something top drawer.
“I always think a good jockey is a guy that can pull a race out of the fire and win on horses that he shouldn’t win on. That’s the difference between great jockeys and good jockeys, I think. And he pulled that one out of the fire. That was an absolutely extraordinary ride.”
Aintree didn’t yield the same dividends. He watched events unfold from his sofa, including the disruption caused by protestors, and could only glean from the pictures what the rest of us did but feels the authorities deserve praise for how they handled the situation. The starting procedures are a source of frustration, however.
“In flat racing, if you don’t go into the stalls, you’re withdrawn but I think a lot of jockeys maybe cynically hold up starts when they haven’t a good position.
Hat's the way to do it! Mighty mare Quevega wins at Punchestown.
“Is there a case for a race being advertised at quarter-past five, if you’re not there at quarter-past five with your horse, that’s your problem? The starter shouldn’t have to wait for you unless there’s a real problem. To me, they should be ready to go and facing the right direction. Too many jump races are stopped with a false start waiting for a horse that has no intention of going.
"Even if he does go in the end, why upset 25 other horses or 30 horses for one horse? We’ve had plenty of horses over the years like that. You get your chance to line up and if the rest of them are in the right order, let them go.”
And what about that photo of Quevega, spotted as he doffed his hat in acknowledgement?
“I always keep a photograph of Quevega in my hat,” he exclaims with a hearty laugh, before explaining. “It’s just a business card I have in case someone picks up the wrong hat. My details are on the other side of it. I was flabbergasted the detail that you could see from that far away. But sure why wouldn’t Quevega be in my hat!”
THE MULLINS SQUAD FOR PUNCHESTOWN
Mullins with Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs (RVN Management/The Jockey Club)
GALOPIN DES CHAMPS
Race: Ladbrokes Punchestown Gold Cup
He’s in great shape. We’re aiming for Punchestown since Cheltenham. I didn’t have any worry about his stamina until about four furlongs out (in Cheltenham) when I said, ‘Right, now,’ when what I was convinced about was gonna happen or not. I just took his novice hurdle form to mean he would stay three-and-a-quarter miles easily as an older horse. I didn’t have any fear about him staying all year. I was surprised myself how much doubt crept in as they rounded the top of the hill. But Paul seemed to be going well at all stages. The only little blip was at the third-last where he brushed the top but the minute he did that, Paul just pulled him together, got him in behind the others, gave him just a little bit of time to recover. You could see Paul’s body language telling you, ‘This fella’s got plenty in the tank.’ JANIDIL is other one that could go there so hopefully we’ll be nicely represented.”
ENERGUMENE
Race: William Hill Champion Chase
I was particularly pleased how he did it in Cheltenham. He’d been working like that at home. We were all a little disappointed when he disappointed at the rescheduled Clarence House Chase but I think we learned so much that day which meant he was a very good winner of the Champion Chase. The white fences might have upset him, we sharpened up tactics. I think he’s a fair sort to do what he did two years running and in the manner he did it in Cheltenham. Those ground conditions are very helpful to him as well. He probably won’t get those in Punchestown but if he does get wet weather, he’s going to be very difficult to beat with a clear round. We have GENTLEMAN DU MEE in that race and he won’t be hanging around at the start. That’s his nature and Energumene can follow away. Paul has the confidence to do both. I imagine, looking at the field, we could have four runners in the race with BLUE LORD and CHACUN POUR SOI taking their chances.
STATE MAN
Race: Paddy Power Champion Hurdle
State Man and Townend win the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle (focusonracing.com)
I was happy with him at Cheltenham. He will run here. He’s in good form. We’ve SHARJAH, VAUBAN and ECHOES IN RAIN in the race. We will see whether Echoes goes for the Coolmore Irish EBF Mares’ Champion Hurdle or not. She could be a difficult ride over two and a half miles but ratings-wise, she would look the one for that, with Love Envoi the biggest challenge if she were to come but that looks the race to go for. In the same race, BRANDY LOVE would probably prefer to go left-handed but I think she’ll improve a good bit on her Cheltenham run. But back to the Paddy Power Champion Hurdle, State Man’s in good shape. There’s no Constitution Hill so hopefully he’ll be the one to beat there. Possibly VAUBAN needs a longer trip and we’ll give him a good shot at the flat later in the season to see what he can do there but the plan will be to go to Punchestown first.
KLASSICAL DREAM
Race: Ladbrokes Champion Stayers’ Hurdle
Klassical Dream wins a Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown (Photo: Focusonracing)
KLASSICAL DREAM is the one that can go back to Punchestown and win it (for the third year in a row). We didn’t know whether we were going to make it or not to Cheltenham but we thought his work was good enough. We took our chance. I think you’ll see the real Klassical Dream in Punchestown. It’s great to see ASTERION FORLONGE and MONKFISH coming back. Those horses had long breaks and have little turnaround from Fairyhouse to Punchestown and that’s a big negative for me. If they ran a good race, I’d be very happy. WHATDEAWANT is probably just not good enough. I’d be sticking with Klassical Dream.”
LOSSIEMOUTH
Race: Ballymore Champion Four-Year-Old Hurdle
I was particularly worried when LOSSIEMOUTH hit what appeared to be the front (in the Triumph Hurdle). She took off with Paul at the top of the hill. It’s a long way out for a mare to be in front. She took over herself from Paul and I could see Paul wondering, ‘I don’t want to stop her but I don’t want to let her go either,’ and he did fantastically well to manage her at what would have been five furlongs out and keep enough in reserve to finish the race. We haven’t missed much with her this season. Christmas, Dublin Racing Festival, Cheltenham. That’s a lot on a filly and she’s not the biggest filly in the world but she has a huge constitution so hopefully, we ask for just one more day. There’s no reason to say that she won’t give it. She’s just so laidback, I don’t think racing or anything fazes her or takes too much out of her. She’s really top class. GALA MARCEAU will definitely go. BLOOD DESTINY was a little disappointing in Fairyhouse and maybe should have another go. I think he hasn’t shown his best to us and may need another year with summer grass under his belt. GUST OF WIND should have another go as well. I think ZARAK THE BRAVE is going to be ready to run. He’s a nice type. He showed a lot and then got a colic during the season and we had to put him to one side. But he’s a horse to keep an eye on.”
NOVICE HURDLERS
IMPAIRE ET PASSE, FACILE VEGA, GAELIC WARRIOR and IL ETAIT TEMPS are all ready for action. I very seldom change the way I do things. When you look at Facile Vega and Impaire Et Passe, you’re probably going to separate them between the KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle and the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle. DIVERGE comes into the KPMG Champion Novice Hurdle after the form of Liverpool big time. Gaelic Warrior might want a longer trip and could be one of the Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle. HUNTERS YARN was probably a little disappointing. We’ll see how they work this week and look at it but they’re ready for action. I don’t have any negatives about CHAMP KIELY for the Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle. Facile Vega might come into the reckoning there (although) I’m not too worried about him over two miles. I always thought his dam Quevega had plenty of speed to win over two miles and I think she did earlier in her career in Punchestown but we always went down the longer road with her because we had Hurricane Fly and Annie Power around that time. This fellow has plenty of speed. We saw that in Cheltenham, he was so fast down between the third-last and the second-last. He’s not short of speed. It’s just using it, just the way the race worked out in Cheltenham. Like all our novices, they’re usually entered in both the two and a half and the two, or else the two and a half and a three and it’ll be one or the other. Gaelic Warrior is one that could come in for the two-and-a-half-mile race. Impaire Et Passe, no problem for him doing two and a half around Punchestown. We ran him over two miles in the Moscow Flyer in Punchestown before Cheltenham and the speed he showed in Cheltenham was fantastic but then again, that was against two-and-a-half-mile horses.
NICK ROCKETT was very good in Fairyhouse. I might just leave him now. He’s in great shape but there’s a right shine to him after he did in Fairyhouse and whether I need to run him again, I don’t know. We’ll be well represented in it again. EMBASSY GARDENS and PARMENION are other possibles for the Irish Mirror Novice Hurdle. SEABANK BISTRO is one for it and SHANBALLY KID is one I think hasn’t given his best yet. Embassy Gardens and Gaelic Warrior are probably the two best. Embassy Gardens is a horse that could be improving as we come into the Spring so I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt that he’ll run a big race there. Gaelic Warrior is a horse that probably needs to go out in trip. He shows plenty at home here. He did win the two-mile handicap in Leopardstown but I think he might be better off once he goes out in trip and maybe gets over a fence as well.
NOVICE CHASERS
EL FABIOLO and
DYSART DYNAMO have come out of Cheltenham well. SAINT ROI might run in the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase too. He seems to have come back fine from
Aintree and we might roll the dice and let him take his chance. It’s a big prize and he won’t be doing anything else after that. El Fabiolo looks like he could be the real deal and could be the one contending for championship honours next year. We just hope we can keep him right, keep him sound. The type of performance he put in was fantastic. He’s a real nice prospect to have in the yard for next season. Dysart Dynamo can be his own worst enemy but a lot of people like that in a horse too, that he’s so exuberant and loves his game. I’m hoping as he gets older or gets a bit wiser, he learns how to settle and temper his enthusiasm. But of course sometimes, half his ability might be in his enthusiasm, especially for two-mile chases and he’s always a horse to be afraid of in one of those races. One day he’ll put it all together and maybe put in a huge performance. We’re well represented in the Dooley Insurance Champion Novice Chase.
JAMES DU BERLAIS could go out to three miles and
RAMILLIES could.
APPRECIATE IT disappointed me a little bit in Fairyhouse. It might be too much coming back again. However, we’ve nothing left to lose and maybe we’ll just let him go there and take his chance. He’s a fair sort, I think, on his day. You’d have thought going up to two and a half miles should be enough for him. Sometimes horses lose their form and he might be one of those. Maybe he wants a trip but he wouldn’t be going there fresh. That race is going to be a tough race. He’s going to be one of the higher-rated horses in the race but a lot will depend on what he does. One bit of work will do him, maybe two. He seems to be fine. He was fine after the race, eating and drinking so that’s usually enough and we’ll let him take his chance.
SIR GERHARD might go for a shorter trip.
ALLEGORIE DE VASSY might go for a shorter trip.
RACE & STAY AT PUNCHESTOWN INH FLAT RACE
We’ve got a nice field of horses here. BALLYBURN was very impressive when he won the other day. Very hard on himself but I think he’ll be better off next time. DANCING CITY is a horse that I think is improving me. IT’S FOR ME is good enough to be in the field. RATH GAUL BOY’s performance when he was second to John Kiely’s horse (Champion Bumper winner A Dream To Share), we were a little bit disappointed on the day but his form looks well now. TULLYHILL looks a fantastic horse. When he won, he looked above average. WESTERN DIEGO is a nice type and WESTPORT COVE is another nice type. I’d imagine Ballyburn, Dancing City, It’s For Me, maybe Western Diego would be the top ones there. We’ve plenty to throw at it thankfully because it’s always a good sign that you might have novice hurdlers coming on for the following season.”
8:37
Ryan Moore will be hoping the outcome of the Sky Bet Club Irish EBF Maiden at the Curragh is not a precursor to Epsom as the Wayne Lordan-ridden Aix La Chapelle teed up a Royal Ascot bid.
Moore was on his Aidan O’Brien-trained stablemate Giant Sequoia who went off the 4-9 favourite, but he could only finish third.
The more experienced Bull Shark set stiff early fractions that had them all out of their comfort zones but only Aix La Chapelle (4-1) – a son of Justify out of dual Group One winner Immortal Verse – could go with him, eventually winning by a length and a half.
Moore faced some tricky choices choosing his Oaks and Derby mounts having already been on the wrong ones in both the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket and the Irish equivalent.
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9:24
Master trainer Aidan O'Brien speaks from The Curragh to discuss his strong team of runners for Epsom's big weekend across three of the season's biggest races.
The Ballydoyle handler talks through his Betfred Oaks pair Amelia Earhart and Cameo, Coronation Cup contender Jan Brueghel, and his Betfred Derby hopefuls Benvenuto Cellini and Pierre Bonnard, sharing his thoughts on each ahead of the weekend.
#horseracing #derby #bettingtips
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32:37
Martin Dixon joins Niall Hannity and the Tote's Jack Ready as they break down a huge weekend at Epsom and give their selections for the big races.
The panel preview Epsom's biggest weekend, headlined by the Betfred Derby on Saturday, look ahead to the Betfred Oaks on Friday and the Coronation Cup — with expert analysis, sharp betting angles, and must-hear World Pool insights.
Plus the team pick out their best bets from the supporting races across both days of action on the Downs.
Please gamble responsibly - 18+ only - head to gambleaware.org if your gambling is causing you concerns
#horseracing #bettingtips #epsomderby
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0:28
Named after a German spa town (Aachen) Aix La Chapelle (Justify) delivers on debut
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9:35
Royal Ascot could come calling for Senorita Bonita despite leaving it late to make a winning debut at Nottingham.
Owned by Victorious Racing, the daughter of Starspangledbanner was the top lot at the Craven Breeze-Up sales in April, commanding 900,000 guineas before heading into training with Simon and Ed Crisford.
Sent off the 10-11 favourite in the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes, it looked like Fast Track was going to make experience count, but Oisin Murphy conjured up a race-winning burst when it mattered from his mount, who showed a deadly turn of foot to pounce in the dying strides by a short head.
Simon Crisford said: “She was learning on the job and had to do it the hard way but she’s a very nice filly with plenty of scope for the future.
“She’s got a great temperament and is very nice. She’s got pace and class and whatever we saw today she will be much better next time.
“Midway through the race it wasn’t looking too good and she was probably on the wrong side of the track. Her turn of foot was exceptional and whether she is a five or six-furlong filly remains open.
“We’ll talk to the owners about plans and see what they would like to do.”
Karl Burke’s Leovanni won the corresponding race before landing the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot two year’s ago and Senorita Bonita was made 6-1 by William Hill to repeat that feat later this month.
However, Victorious Racing’s racing manager Chris Wall believes she will have no problem if the team decide to tackle the extra furlong of the Albany Stakes.
Wall said: “She’s a nice filly to be involved with and one with a big future. Simon and the team have done well to get her this far in such a short space of time as she was quite wintery in her coat at the sales and it’s the same again now.
“She’s tested their patience a bit to get her ready but showed a great turn of foot there.
“She was bought to go to Ascot and that’s what we’ll have to do. Whether we go for the Queen Mary and the Albany we’ll have to have a think about which direction we go.
“I think she could stretch out to six as she was strong through the line today. She was a bit green early on but was stuck out on a wing and had to do things the hard way.
Meanwhile, Andrew Balding’s runner-up Fast Track could also now roll on to the Royal meeting after her brave run in defeat on her second outing.
“She’s a nice filly and I liked her first run at Goodwood and thought she would come on a lot for that which she has done,” said Philip Robinson, racing manager for owner Sultan Ali.
“I saw Simon’s gallop the other day and knew which one we had to beat and unfortunately she just got us on the line.
“The Queen Mary might be her race and a possibility but I think the winner might be going there as well and you have to remember we’ve had a run and the winner hadn’t.”
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0:26
900,000gns buy Senorita Bonita (Starspangledbanner) makes a winning debut at Nottingham.
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0:19
Favourite Benvenuto Cellini breaks from stall 12 in Saturday's Derby.
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Welcome to the official YouTube channel of Racing TV, the UK's leading horse racing channel showing live racing from the best racecourses in Great Britain and Ireland.
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13:49
Rishi Persad speaks to Kevin Buckley, Kevin Blake and more following today's Betfred Derby draw.
It could prove a fitting omen if Benvenuto Cellini was able to provide Aidan O’Brien a record-extending 12th Betfred Derby from stall 12 in the Epsom Classic on Saturday.
The Chester Vase winner is one of four for the master of Ballydoyle among the 14 declarations for the mile and a half feature and a race O’Brien has proved unstoppable in recently, as he seeks a fourth successive win after the victories of Auguste Rodin (2023), City Of Troy (2024) and Lambourn (2025).
Benvenuto Cellini will be joined by stablemates Pierre Bonnard (eight), Action (11) and Christmas Day (five), with juvenile Group One winner Pierre Bonnard held in the highest regard despite being yet to strike this term and the latter pair arriving having finished second and third respectively in the Dante.
Speaking at the Derby draw held at The Peninsula Hotel in London, Coolmore’s UK representative Kevin Buckley said: “I think Benvenuto Cellini is a worthy favourite and we would be happy enough with his draw in 12 which is the same one Australia and Serpentine won out of so you would have to be happy.
“I’ve always had a personal soft spot for Pierre Bonnard, but I was equally impressed with what Benvenuto Cellini did at Chester and I thought that was the perfect prep for the Derby.
“It is interesting Christmas Day is drawn five and that is the same stall his sire Camelot came out of when he won the Derby. He was third in the Dante behind Action, who is closely-related to Lambourn and won the Derby last year, so we have some nice runners this year and we’re looking forward to it.”
The winner at York that day was Item, who is one of two in the race for Andrew Balding alongside A Taste Of Glory (seven), and is regarded by the bookmakers as the most likely challenger to the Ballydoyle-trained favourite.
Item will exit from stall three that New Approach won from in 2008, as the Kingsclere handler attempts to replicate the achievement of his late father Ian who won the Derby with the famous Mill Reef in 1971.
The trainer’s wife Anna Lisa Balding said: “The Dante was a good place to start and you can do nothing about the draw, it’s all about what you do with it.
“He’s drawn three but is in great form. I think he looked pretty good in the Dante and everyone was bigging up the race before the race. He really delivered on the day and finished strong. He might have been a little bit green in front so hopefully he will have learned plenty.
“I suppose the one thing for us is we haven’t quite had the conditions weather-wise to have done as much with him on the grass at home that we would have liked to have done.
“It is Andrew’s dream to win the Derby, he’s only 54 and has a few more years to do it, but he will keep trying and you never know.”
Lingfield Derby Trial winner Maltese Cross will be just a fifth Derby runner for William Haggas who won the race with Shaamit 30 year’s ago. He will exit stall one often referred to as the ‘coffin box’ but successfully navigated by the imperious City Of Troy in 2024.
Maltese Cross made it two from two for the year when edging out Ralph Beckett’s Bay Of Brilliance (nine) at Lingfield and they will lock horns again on the Surrey Downs, with Charlie Johnston’s Ancient Egypt (10) another British-trained contender having impressed in the Newmarket Stakes.
Also heading to Epsom on a high is Joseph O’Brien’s James J Braddock (13) who having downed the aforementioned Pierre Bonnard at Leopardstown, will seek to land another telling blow in a race his handler won twice as a jockey aboard Camelot (2012) and Australia (2014).
Jane Chapple-Hyam and Faye Bramley will both try to become the first female trainer to win the Derby when saddling Balzac (two) and Rebel Rocker (14) respectively, with the field completed by Karl Burke’s 4.3million guineas yearling Poker (four) and Richard Hannon’s Alderman (six), who both head into the race as maidens.
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1:27:23
Rishi Persad and Steve Mellish reflect on the remarkable career of Johnny Murtagh, looking back at the triumphs, challenges and defining moments that made him one of racing’s most celebrated jockeys.
Must-see compilations and best bits ➡️ http://y2u.be/Kfl2CXtG6xA
Greatest Hits! Some of our most amazing action ➡️ http://y2u.be/AfNpAewK4m4
Feature-length documentaries for racing lovers ➡️ http://y2u.be/xIprr1hNCeA
Thrills, spills and funnies! ➡️ http://y2u.be/AHqOQUnNhXo
Racing Greats ➡️ http://y2u.be/74MKoH7TLIE
All the best Group One and Grade One action ➡️ http://y2u.be/mOq9ZgMn_ME
Welcome to the official YouTube channel of Racing TV, the UK's leading horse racing channel showing live racing from the best racecourses in Great Britain and Ireland.
Subscribe to Racing TV's free YouTube channel and get closer to the sport we all love. If you want to watch unmissable moments from the world of racing and exclusive interviews and highlights from our specialist shows then this is the place for you! https://bit.ly/2RHbyMa
You can also find us on Sky 424 or Virgin Media 536 (411 in Ireland): https://t.co/xkJ0xBrDcm
Also watch Racing TV at racingtv.com and via our iPhone, iPad and Android apps: https://t.co/CwcklwUMHs
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