The Silver Tankard Stakes is a run for 2 year olds over 1 mile and 4 yards, with 6 horses contesting the race this year.

Our pick for the race is Royal Exchange a two year old colt that already has 6 races under him. Of those races, 3 have been wins with 2 second placings and a third place in his last start in the Group 3 Somerville Tattersall Stakes. It is Royal Exchange’s win in the Listed Stonehenge Stakes that gives us confidence in him, however, even with his wide barrier draw.

Weapon of Choice is also looking good, despite his limited experience. Only 2 runs into his career, Weapon of Choice has a second place finish at the mile mark and a first place finish over 1 mile and 1 furlong. Look for this young colt to pick up a place, especially with his barrier 2 start.

Time to Work is another runner we think could do well here, with his 5 race record that includes 2 wins and a second place, with most of his races at over a mile. Time to Work is also reasonably well-placed in barrier 3, and it shouldn’t be hard for jockey David Probert to at least convert this into a place.

If you are interested in betting on the Silver Tankard Stakes at Pontefract, or any other races running on 18 October, then we recommend you sign up for an account at Bet365.

As horse race organisers want to make the most of the summer, August is going to be a straight month of paradise for horse racing fans across the country. Racecourses all over the United Kingdom are offering a wide range of horse racing fixtures; in fact, live races will be hosted throughout the UK literally every day throughout the month of August – a true treat for punters and spectators who are looking to capitalise on the last weeks of great outdoor weather.

Racecourses in the South – especially Kempton Park, Goodwood, Lingfield Park and Sandown Park – are hosting what can only be described as a horse racing marathon. Most days feature race meetings in two separate locations, with meetings ranging from noon time racing to the running of evening fixtures.

In the Midlands most of the August horse racing action will be taking place at Newmarket and Yarmouth. Racecourses in the Midlands area are also placing a heavy emphasis on the first national hunt fixtures of the season. Stratford-On-Avon, Worcester, Southwell, Market Rasen, Hereford, Bangor-On-Dee and Huntingdon are all hosting one or more jump race meetings during the month of August.

However, if you are looking for a big flat racing festival in August, York Racecourse in the North of England is the place to be. The Yorkshire Ebor Festival runs from 17th to 20th of August 2010 and features world class horse racing fixtures like the International Stakes, the Ebor Handicap, the Nunthorpe Stakes and the Yorkshire Oaks. The Yorkshire Ebor Festival is the biggest horse racing event hosted in the United Kingdom in August and tickets are already on sale.

For racing fans in Ireland, Curragh Racecourse is the spot to keep an eye on for horse racing events in August. With the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes running on 8th August 2010, followed by the Moyglare Stud Stakes on 29th August 2010, the Curragh offers the best horse racing fixtures on Irish soil for the final month of summer.

The Bank Holiday on 30th August 2010 will see horse races hosted on the flat at Newcastle, Warwick, Chepstow and Epsom Downs, as well as national hunt meetings at Cartmel and Huntingdon. The golden English summer is fading fast and no horse racing venue can afford to waste a public holiday, so look out for great offers and additional entertainment programs while the racecourses compete for your attention.

Throughout August Horse Racing UK will bring you daily updates on the best fixtures of every day, as well as keep you informed about the odds to your favourite events and the contenders in your races of choice. But no matter which races you decide to follow, no matter which racecourse you select as your August local – August is going to be a great month for horse racing in the UK.

Gungadu leads the weights for the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown on December 27 after the entries for the 3 mile handicap were reduced to from 43 to 36 after the latest forfeit stage on Thursday.

Lochan Lacha is currently the 8-1 favourite with William Hill for the race worth €106,800, and is one of three possible runners for Tony Martin. The only British-trained entry it Paul Nicholls’ Nycteos. Willie Mullins, Ireland’s champion trainer, has four entires: Ballytrim, Dooneys Gate, Polmar and Pomme Tiepy.

The remaining entries for the Paddy Power Chase:

• Lochan Lacha
• Casey Supreme
• Operation Houdini
• Orpheus Valley
• Paddy Pub
• Plaisir D’Estruval
• Pomme Tiepy
• Askthemaster
• Ballytrim
• Oscar Looby
• Bringbackthebiff
• Dooneys Gate
• Glenquest
• Hume River
• Nycteos
• Oscar Time
• Parsons Pistol
• Dashing George
• Hold The Pin
• Hoopy
• Newbay Prop
• Polmar
• Bronx Girl
• Dante Hall
• Florida Express
• Gungadu
• Judge Deed
• Leanne
• Nipper John
• Old Si
• Ravens Run
• Siegemaster
• Sir Johnny
• Bella Mana Mou
• High Fidelitay
• L’Ami
• Lasse Viern
• Lord Cebellino
• Queiros Bleu
• Rathmore Castle
• Selection Box
• Southern Vic
• News Item
• Scavenger

Those experienced in betting on horses know that track conditions can have a very real effect on the outcome of a race. Unusual track conditions can turn a horse with no chance into a champion if that runner is particularly suited to those conditions.

The following are the different track conditions, and how they affect dirt and turf tracks:

Good – For turf, this is a fairly firm course with a reasonable amount of give to it. On dirt tracks, this is a drying dirt covering that can slow down the horses.

Firm – This is a drier turf course than a Good track, without as much give.

Fast – This is a dirt course that should provide the fastest possible run times. The surface is dry and steady.

Wet-Fast – On dirt, this is a fast track has a slight amount of moisture on top.

Muddy – This is a dirt track that is very moist and slows down run times.

Yielding – This is a turf track with a deep water level that considerably slows the runners.

Sloppy – This is essentially a flooded dirt track. There is a layer of water on the track deep enough to cause puddles.

Slow – A deep and dried out dirt track that can slow runners down.

Heavy – This means the course has deep pockets of water, and causes the greatest slowdown.

Soft – A turf course that has more moisture than a Good track, with more give than a good track would have.

Frozen – This is a dirt track with frozen moisture, producing a hard surface.

When trying to pick a winner who is not a favourite, be sure to take track conditions into account. For example, if the track is Heavy, and you know there is a horse with long odds in the race who has nevertheless performed very well on Heavy tracks, you’ll want to consider a bet on that runner.

Unsurprisingly, Kauto Star is the favorite at odds of 8/13. The gelding won this race the last 3 times it has been held, and this year he looks to tie for the record of most wins in the King George VI Chase and a new record of 4 successive wins. Winner of the 2009 Cheltenham Gold Cup, Kauto Star is in top form to take another King George Chase.

Imperial Commander is next in the odds at William Hill, at 6/1. With a close loss to Kauto Star in the Betfair Stakes, it seems that Imperial Commander will have to expect second place at best, though a win in the Paddy Power Gold Cup keeps some hope in a winning performance. Madison Du Berlais is also in with a chance and is getting odds of 8/1, but an awful run in the Cheltenham Gold Cup means few would risk the money.

The full odds being given by William Hill for the William Hill King George VI Chase are:

Placing a bet now could get you the best odds on this race with William Hill.

Evan Williams is looking forward to the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day after an impressive performance from his horse Deep Purple. Though he has not confirmed whether or not the eight-year-old will line up to race in Kempton on Boxing Day, he was very optimistic about it.

Deep Purple put on an impressive performance in the Peterborough Chase with a 10lb penalty. He beat out a strong field of contenders that included past winners at the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals. He also managed a win over race favourite Herecomesthetruth who suffered a big mistake in the last of the race to give up the win.

Of course, if Deep Purple does enter into King George, Williams has his eye firmly placed on Denman and Kauto Star (the current favourite at many sportsbooks) who pose the biggest threats in the upcoming race. In fact, both have handed Deep Purple brutal losses in the past. Williams had hoped to avoid Kauto Star in future competition, but will not let that deter him from the King George should Deep Purple be in shape for the race.

The racing gets underway at Kempton Park on the 26th of December as part of the William Hill Winter Festival.