Burke completes most powerful line up in AOTF

On Monday, I interviewed Karl Burke for Ahead On The Flat and have now completed the Talking Trainers section. The Middleham handler, who enjoyed Royal Ascot success with high-class filly Dramatised, had 16 Pattern winners in 2002 and four of those were in Group 2 company. In total, the Spigot Lodge team had 117 domestic winners last year and appear to have an even stronger squad for the new season. The yard are particularly powerful in the three year old department with some exciting prospects. 

There are nine stable interviews in AOTF 2023 and it is the strongest line up ever assembled - 6 of them figured in the top 10 in the trainer's title last year. The list comprises of Charlie Appleby, Andrew Balding, Ralph Beckett, George Boughey, Karl Burke, Michael Dods, Tim Easterby, William Haggas and Roger Varian. Plus, there is all the latest news from Freemason Lodge, the home of last year's Derby winning trainer Sir Michael Stoute.

The other sections in the book, which goes to the printer on Wednesday, are the Owners Enclosure - an interview with Clipper Logistics racing manager Joe Foley - the Top 40 Prospects, Ballydoyle Juveniles, Bromley's Best Buys, Maidens In Waiting, Significant Sales, Unraced Three Year Olds and an Appendix. 

If you haven't ordered your copy of AOTF and the Updates, please head to the Publications section of the website. While I am a jumping man at heart, I must confess to be more excited about the start of the Flat season than for a number of years. The brilliant Baaeed may have retired but the older horse division looks tremendous with the likes of Bay Bridge, Desert Crown, Inspiral, Laurel, Luxembourg, Maljoom, My Prospero and Westover all staying in training.