Today’s Placepot picks come from Catterick on Wednesday 30 September, with Duchess Of Immatin heading our 108-line perm as the banker.

Trainer Nicky Henderson has confirmed that 2023 Champion Hurdle winner Constitution Hill will continue to be campaigned on the flat. The horse finished fourth in Saturday’s Group 3 September Stakes at Kempton, which was an improvement in form following two easy wins in novice events earlier this year. The handicapper hit Constitution Hill with a 7lb rise in the rankings, which pushed his official rating to a mark of 108. That limits the horse’s future options. Henderson surprised by Constitution Hill’s new mark The nine-year-old now cannot run in 0-105 handicaps, but the November Handicap at Doncaster on November 7

Kalpana turned the tables on defending champion Calandagan with a commanding performance in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, earning herself an automatic place in the 2026 Breeders’ Cup Turf. The five-year-old mare, trained by Andrew Balding and ridden by Colin Keane, powered clear in the closing stages to defeat a high-class international field by a length and a half. It was a particularly satisfying victory for connections after the Juddmonte homebred finished runner-up to Calandagan in the same race 12 months ago. Kalpana’s success also completed a memorable Ascot double for Balding, who earlier saddled

The National Horseracing College has strengthened its commitment to horse welfare with the installation of eight new field shelters at its Doncaster training centre, providing improved protection from changing weather conditions while supporting the practical education of future racing professionals. The investment forms part of the College’s ongoing programme of facility improvements across its 200-acre campus, where students, apprentices and aspiring racing staff receive hands-on training alongside the horses in their care. Supporting Equine Welfare Year-Round Field shelters play an important role in modern horse management, allowing horses to remain outdoors while providing protection from rain, wind and increasingly hot

Horse racing produces more data per contest than almost any other sport. Every runner carries a weight, a form figure, a going preference, and a trainer statistic into the stalls. Yet plenty of people making horse racing bets each weekend work from little more than a name they like or a hunch about a jockey. The gap between those two approaches tends to show in the long run. Weekend racing in the UK currently spans some of the most competitive cards of the flat season, with Royal Ascot in June and Glorious Goodwood in late July and early August drawing

Horse racing holds a strong heritage in regions such as the United Kingdom, the United States, and parts of Europe, where the sport has developed alongside well-established equine industries. In the UK, the equine sector continues to show strength through investment and consolidation. A recent example includes the acquisition of established saddlery brands such as Jeffries, Harry Dabbs, and Vale Brothers, reflecting ongoing confidence in equestrian markets and infrastructure. Globally, the scale of the horse racing industry continues to grow. The Global and ASEAN horse racing market was valued at $402.90 billion ( £318 billion) in 2024 and is projected to reach over

Newbury Racecourse has teamed up with William Hill to recognise eight Members who attended an extraordinary 29 of the 30 racedays staged at the Berkshire track during 2025. The group will be celebrated at William Hill Super Saturday on 7 February, with an exclusive behind-the-scenes experience designed to reward their loyalty and commitment to the Racecourse. Their day begins with priority access to the William Hill Preview Panel in the Dubai Duty Free Grandstand, featuring expert analysis from Barry Geraghty, Sir AP McCoy and Mattie Batchelor, before racing gets underway. Members will then head to the parade ring to select

Paul Nicholls has played down concerns about rising opposition in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle, insisting his stable star No Drama This End is in excellent shape as preparations continue for the Cheltenham Festival. Recent trials at Cheltenham and the Dublin Racing Festival have highlighted a growing list of contenders for the Grade 1 contest, with Doctor Steinberg emerging as a notable challenger following an impressive performance at Leopardstown. Speaking in comments released by Betfair, Nicholls acknowledged the depth of the race but remained upbeat about his own horse’s condition. “Doctor Steinberg was impressive last week at Leopardstown,” said Nicholls. “No