Author Archives: Cassandra Day

Silks & Shenanigans: Aidan O’Brien’s “Reef” Madness at the Curragh

Monday, April 20, 2026

The hangover from the Curragh settles into a gritty Monday of Flat and National Hunt action across the UK and Ireland. Here is your “need-to-know” for the cards at Redcar, Kelso, Tramore, and Newcastle.

Silks & Shenanigans: The Great Ayr Mud-Bath: A Frenchman Walks Into A Swamp… Sunday, April 19, 2026 Tomorrow’s Racing Action

For tomorrow, Sunday, April 19, 2026, the racing action is spread across Plumpton, the Curragh, and Tramore.

Silks & Shenanigans: The “Cravendale” Chronicles: Where Milk, Money, and Mud Meet

For the final day of the 2026 Craven Meeting at Newmarket tomorrow (Thursday, April 16) The “Cravendale” (as we’re cheekily calling it) is officially under way, and the Rowley Mile is ready to expose who’s been training and who’s just been posing.

Silks & Shenanigans: The Ballysax Brief: O’Brien’s World, We’re Just Betting In It. Monday 13, Hexham, Newcastle and Leicester

It was another “low-key” Sunday for Aidan O’Brien at Leopardstown, which is to say he treated the Group 3 Ballysax Stakes like a private schooling session that the public was accidentally allowed to watch. The master of Ballydoyle saddled four of the seven runners, eventually finishing 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 7th. Christmas Day (11/1) clearlyContinue reading “Silks & Shenanigans: The Ballysax Brief: O’Brien’s World, We’re Just Betting In It. Monday 13, Hexham, Newcastle and Leicester”

SILKS & SHENANIGANS: FROM THE COLOSSEUM TO THE CASH BAG: I AM MAXIMUS REIGNS SUPREME AS £100K PUNTER TURNS AINTREE INTO AN EMPIRE

Aintree was transformed into a modern-day Colosseum on Saturday as I Am Maximus etched his name into the history books, becoming the first horse since the legendary Red Rum to regain the Grand National crown. Under a masterful ride by Paul Townend, the Willie Mullins-trained 10-year-old stormed home as the 9/2 favorite, sparking scenes of absolute bedlam in the betting ring.

Today’s Racing Action: Sunday, April 12, 2026
With the Aintree dust settling, the focus shifts to a busy Sunday across the UK and Ireland.

Silks & Shenanigans: The Aintree Odyssey: Where Heels are High, Fences are Higher, and Your “Cert” is Usually a Lie

Welcome to the 2026 Grand National Meeting, three days of Liverpudlian glitter, questionable millinery choices, and the kind of sporting drama that makes even the most casual observer believe they can “read” a 34-runner handicap.

Running from Thursday, April 9 to Saturday, April 11, the Aintree Festival is the more relaxed, slightly louder cousin to Cheltenham. While Cheltenham is for the purists, Aintree is for the punters.

Silks & Shenanigans: Fairyhouse Festival: Mullins Heavyweights and Timeform “Naps” Primed for Easter Monday Glory

For the Fairyhouse meeting tomorrow, Monday, April 6, 2026, the card is headlined by several high-quality Grade 2 contests.