Patrick it isn’t All Weather. It is sand. Not sure if it was the first purpose built sand track in Europe (ie excluding beach racing) but was the first none turf purpose built track in France.

I see there are 3 Cross Country races & 4 Trots on Sunday then 2 Cross Country races & 5 Trots on Monday. Are you going both days?

10 horses will go to post for this Sunday’s Velka Pardubicka (Czech Grand National) over 4m 2 1/2f at Pardubice. Rider Keith Donoghue bids for back-to-back Velka wins - this year aboard Final Orders. 7x Velka winner Jan Faltejtek rides Godfrey. James Best rides Greek Dessert.

Oh how I would love to call races from that booth - only called one race from the old Belmont booth - the final race on the Friday (All Star Announcer Day) card ahead of the 2005 Breeders’ Cup.

Hi Keiran, no it is me. Stewart is at Chester. Enjoy a great day of racing.

The closing stages of the 2026 Grand Steeple-Chase des Flandres won for the second time by Placenet.

PLACENET, trained by David Cottin & ridden by Johnny Charron, has won the 2026 Grand Steeple-Chase des Flandres (Belgium Grand National) over 2m7f at Waregem. The 9-y-o had also won the race in 2024. He is owned by Prof Caroline Tisdall & Geoff Thompson. 7 ran in the €100K race.

7 horses go to post for the €100K 2m7f Grand Steeple-Chase des Flandres (Belgium Grand National) at Waregem on Tuesday 1 Sept at 3:25 BST. Trainer Patrice Quinton has 3 runners in a bid to win it for the 11th time. His main hope is General Desjy (Feilx de Giles up) 2nd in 2023.

The first track in the US where I called a race & also the first track in the US I called a full card. Miss it.

The host city & dates for the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest have been announced - the host city will be BURGAS (the fourth-largest city in Bulgaria, situated on the Black Sea coast) with SF1 on Tues 11 May, SF2 on Thurs 13 May & the Grand Final on Sat 15 May.

Many thanks Bryan - much appreciated.

Hong Kong World Pool insist it is started from stalls - the first time ever - looking forward to calling it for ITV.

Hi Keiran - no Racing League this year as it has been discontinued. I am not calling on track this year at Glorious Goodwood but I am the ITV commentator on Friday & Saturday again.

Canada will compete in the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest. They are the first nation to enter the ESC for the first time since Australia debuted in 2015. Unlike Australia (who were given a bye through into the Final their debut year) Canada will need to qualify through a semi final

Hi Keiran - not the racecourse commentary this year, that will be Alan Howes, but I will for first time call the race for ITV Racing.

Great to hear Tom Durkin call a race on the final day of “The Big A”. Have only been racing once at Aqueduct, the day after the Monmouth Breeders’ Cup, so it was Sunday 28 October 2007. After the monsoon in New Jersey the day at Aqueduct was dry, warm & sunny. Loved the place.

RH 4 each day MJ 3 each day