The majority of Wednesday’s racing has been abandoned due to the extreme heat in the weather forecast. Only Carlisle are set to go ahead in the UK, with the Carlisle Bell and Cumberland Plate taking place.
Here is today’s racing round-up for Tuesday.
Wednesday racing cancelled due to red weather alert
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has cancelled four of the five British race meetings on Wednesday. A red extreme heat warning has been issued for the Midlands and south of England. As such, the cards at Ffos Las, Kempton, Salisbury and Worcester. The meeting at Ffos Las would require travel through areas in which the warning has been called. The decision was taken to prioritise “equine and human wellbeing”. (BHA)
However, Carlisle’s meeting is set to go ahead. The Cumbrian venue sits outside a red weather warning area, though does fall in an amber zone. The BHA is to liaise with the track in advance of racing to make sure it is safe for participants. Carlisle’s Wednesday meeting is an historic one, featuring two centuries old races in the Carlisle Bell and Cumberland Plate scheduled. The former is reported to have first been raced in 1599. (BBC)
Royal Ascot: Bookmakers report challenging meeting as Bow Echo’s next target revealed
Bookmakers have reported that Royal Ascot 2026 was a “challenging one” for their business. The meeting was run at the same time as the early stages of the FIFA World Cup, leading to lower turnover. Similarly, results favoured the punters, with 13 of the 35 races at Royal Ascot being won by favourites. That is the second highest number of winning favourites in the past decade. The hit on profits occurred despite a 50/1 winner of the opening race. (Racing Post)
Bow Echo’s next contest has been determined, as another rematch with Gstaad looks likely. George Boughey’s charge has won both meetings with Aidan O’Brien’s Irish 2000 Guineas hero. He won a thrilling edition of the St James’s Palace Stakes on Tuesday of the royal meeting, overcoming team tactics seemingly employed by the Ballydoyle runners. The Sussex Stakes looks to be next up, with Gstaad also on course for the race. (Racing Post)
Irish Derby: James J Braddock aims to go two better
James J Braddock will attempt to go two better in the Irish Derby than he did at Epsom. Joseph O’Brien’s runners won the Leopardstown Derby Trial before contesting the English Classic. Never well positioned on the Downs, he ran a mighty race to finish third to Christmas Day, Aidan O’Brien’s Derby hero who is also set to contest the Irish equivalent. His trainer has said that James J Braddock “will have learned from his experience at Epsom.” (Sporting Life)