Kate Tracey

Updated 8:15 - all selections online

I have been lucky enough to spend the past five days or so at Keeneland for the Breeders’ Cup, where it’s been a real privilege to watch some of the world’s best Flat horses stretching their legs each morning.

There are similarities to watching the Irish raiders during morning exercise at Cheltenham, although it’s safe to say the Breeders’ Cup is a shade more glamorous! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being here and would certainly recommend adding it to your racing bucket list.

It’s been a fantastic weekend, with plenty of moments that will stay with me for a long time: Ryan Moore’s knack for being in the right place at the right time and Bacio blitzing the Turf Sprint field among them. I’ve loved following Team Europe across the two days and already can’t wait to come back.

On Sunday, attention turns to plenty of National Hunt action from Carlisle, Cork, Huntingdon and Worcester - with the latter live on Sky Sports Racing - while the Curragh hosts its final Flat card of 2026.

You don’t see too many Cheltenham Festival winners starting their season at Worcester (1:20), but with the ground the track can offer right now, the 2m 7f beginners’ chase on the card looks an ideal opportunity for JOHNNY’S JURY (1:20 Worcester) to make a winning start over fences for Jamie Snowden.

I thought he would be shorter than the 6/5 available at the time of writing, having powered up the hill when winning a competitive Albert Bartlett at the Cheltenham Festival in March, marking himself out as a hugely exciting prospect.

The trip may be the one concern. Although this son of Jukebox Jury has won over shorter distances, he looks a real stayer in the making. Snowden’s yard is starting to build momentum as we finally get some easier ground, and I think Johnny’s Jury could be his flag-bearer this season, as well as a significant player in the 3m novice chase division.

From one potentially informative novice chase to another, with the Grade 3 contest at Cork (2:50) bringing together an intriguing field. Willie Mullins’ Love Me Tender heads the early market and should be fit following his win at Listowel last month, having finished fourth at Galway on his previous start. Even so, I’m reluctant to take such a short price in a race with this much depth.

Frankie John beat both Love Me Tender and Vicar Street at Galway, and the pair re-oppose here. However, his 6lb penalty coupled with his yard’s current form put me off him, so I’m looking elsewhere for value.

Having sided with Albert Bartlett winner Johnny’s Jury at Worcester, I’m also backing the runner-up from that race in FRUIT DE MER (2:50 Cork), who makes his chasing debut for Henry de Bromhead.

A point-to-point winner before joining the yard, he won just once over hurdles but has always looked the type to come into his own over fences. De Bromhead has already been amongst the winners at Down Royal this week, and I expect Fruit De Mer to go well under Darragh O’Keeffe, provided the ground doesn’t dry out too much.

Kate's Best Bets (scale 1-5 points):

1.20 WORCESTER

1pt win JOHNNY’S JURY (8-11 general)

2.50 CORK

1pt win FRUIT DE MER (5-2 general)