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Simon Rowlands

@simonrowlands.bsky.social
843 followers 345 following 501 posts

Freelance international horseracing writer, form/time/sectional analyst. Likes: data, stats, music, wildlife, sport, literature, travel, films. Sheffield/Peak District UK.

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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 18h
He's also in the betting for the Breeders' Cup. Please don't.
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 18h
I am on him (small) for the Guineas. Thought he ran just about well enough to suggest the ground was not really the issue. Being waited with so long then outpaced under quickish conditions at 7f-lite more so. Keep the faith IMO.
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Time (79.40s) and sectionals (22.04s) of the Lagardere suggests ground is borderline Good and Good/Firm at ParisLongchamp on Sunday. Still nowhere near as quick as 3 years ago when Rosallion won in 78.24s and it could b described as "Firm".
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Merlyn Edwards @allmanbros2.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
It looks like the 8mm watering on Friday allowed them to kick the top off. Turftrax had it faster 8.2 yesterday at 7.20am but slower today 7.3 at 6.55am, although there's been no rain or water gone on. Surely it can be only be good or on the slightly faster side of good today.
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Summary of yesterday's ParisLongchamp ground as judged on times. Primarily "good" in British terms, with 100 Going Allowance, but slightly easier (111) at shorter distances (no race at less than 1600m on Saturday). No sign of anything firmer than good but now drying.
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Following the 2500-metre handicap, won in a time of 2m 37.72s, I would still go with primarily "Good" (in British terms) for the ground at ParisLongchamp. No quicker than that.
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Overall time for Chaudenay of 3m 16.91s, winner's final 400m 22.62s (116.1% FS). Going estimation 97 (Good), about 20 lb quicker than last year but 14 lb slower than in the G/F year of 2023
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
No on-screen split times, but that seemed to end up as a bit of a sprint (~115% FS) with overall time of about 3m 17.0s. Likely "good" going (rather than firmer) on that, but full result and subsequent races should shed more light on matters.
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Prix Chaudenay coming up at ParisLongchamp Last 2 editions were well-run (~108% FS) and in around 3m 17.0s, on objectively G/S ground Expecting a quicker time here Double Major won on G/F in 2023 in 3m 16.45s but with a sprint finish (117.2% FS)
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Rob Davies @byrobdavies.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Huge blunder by UK bookmakers that have railed against the dangers of the black market, as it emerges that a company part-owned by Ladbrokes, Entain and Betfred boss Fred Done has a deal with Santeda, singled out as perhaps the biggest black market operator targeting UK customers.
theguardian.com
UK bookmakers that warned over illicit market had deal with offshore casinos
Content provider part-owned by Ladbrokes, William Hill and Betfred owner signed deal with Santeda network, Casino Secrets leak reveals
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Ditto!
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Latest ATR Expert Analysis Blog Blue Sky even gets a mention www.attheraces.com/blogs/expert...
attheraces.com
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Thank you. I always await your verdict with bated breath!
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Latest ATR Expert Analysis Blog. A load to look back on! www.attheraces.com/blogs/expert...
attheraces.com
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
A look at the Doncaster St Leger Meeting 2yos www.attheraces.com/blogs/expert...
attheraces.com
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igiveyouthegist.bsky.social @igiveyouthegist.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
www.sportinglife.com/racing/news/... Poatan probably one to follow this autumn. Doesn’t have many miles on the clock and may not be weighted out of handicaps yet (up from 97 to 104).
sportinglife.com
Watch And Learn: Graeme North timefigure analysis including Almeraq and Extremely Zain
Our timefigure expert Graeme North analyses the key action from last week at Haydock, Kempton, York and ParisLongchamp.
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
(False start earlier) This is a piece about the St Leger for ATR, including striding www.attheraces.com/festivals/le...
attheraces.com
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Must admit, I was expecting Reform to slide more than this.
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Looking forward to beginning to get my country back. If you know what I mean.
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Latest ATR Expert Analysis Blog for your delectation www.attheraces.com/blogs/expert...
attheraces.com
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
(all qualifiers on sectionals)
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
This week's ATR blog - up shortly - includes 5 winning but unexposed British-trained 2yos to watch out for in the remainder of the season. What do YOU think they should be?
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Natch 😅
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
I take RaceIQ sectionals as accurate (these days) unless they clearly are not. 2fFS of Mountain Road is 108.6%. Attached shows relative upgrades on geegeez (which uses my methodology).
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Here again this week's ATR Expert Analysis Blog: www.attheraces.com/blogs/expert...
attheraces.com
Expert Analysis | At The Races
Simon Rowlands provides a deep dive into York's Ebor Festival before commenting on recent Group-winning performances in Ireland, France and the US.
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
That is going back some (but I do remember it vaguely)!
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
www.attheraces.com/ebor-festiva...
attheraces.com
Expert Analysis | At The Races
Simon Rowlands puts the facts and figures behind last Sunday's instalment of the Barrière Deauville Meeting before shifting focus to the first couple of days at York.
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
🤣
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Agree with all that. You should be writing the blog!
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Latest ATR blog: www.attheraces.com/blogs/expert...
attheraces.com
Expert Analysis | At The Races
Simon Rowlands reveals some rider stats in British handicaps this season, updates his juvenile ratings, and interprets top-level Deauville and Stateside successes.
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Heavens above! And well done on the withering look: I have been known to administer those too!
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Part 2 of the Goodwood Expert Analysis Blog www.attheraces.com/blogs/expert...
attheraces.com
Expert Analysis: Goodwood Festival Review Part Two | At The Races
Simon Rowlands uses key indicators to review the best of the Thursday, Friday, and closing day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival.
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
Look back on first two days at Goodwood, plus briefly at Ascot, in Part One of this week's ATR Expert Analysis www.attheraces.com/blogs/expert...
attheraces.com
Expert Analysis: Goodwood Festival Review Part One | At The Races
Simon Rowlands puts some facts and figures behind a thrilling opening two days of the 2026 Qatar Goodwood Festival.
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Error in the previous version: my bad. Latest Expert Analysis Blog for ATR m.attheraces.com/blogs/expert...
m.attheraces.com
Expert Analysis | At The Races
Simon Rowlands puts the figures behind Johanna Walsh's Irish Oaks win into context, looks forward to a hot King George renewal and builds his juvenile picture.
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
I am about to find out how long it takes to alter something like this, at 9 o'clock on a Tuesday evening.....☹️
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Oh Jesus. Thanks.
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Latest ATR Expert Analysis Blog www.attheraces.com/blogs/expert...
attheraces.com
Expert Analysis | At The Races
Simon Rowlands reviews the July Cup, some of last week's other feature races from Headquarters, the Prix Jean-Prat and previews high-quality Tuesday evening action in Paris.
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Latest Expert Analysis for At The Races www.attheraces.com/blogs/expert...
attheraces.com
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
But that a bias existed, some of the time at least, means the races affected need reframing, whatever the precise cause.
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
Thanks. Well, there was unevenness in Going Stick readings, though not consistently so. And then there was significant irrigation and evapotranspiration. But I am not an agronomist. I couldn’t detect significant pace efficiencies/inefficiencies to account for it.
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
Part One is here: www.attheraces.com/blogs/expert...
attheraces.com
Expert Analysis: Royal Ascot Review Part One | At The Races
Simon Rowlands runs the rule over Tuesday and Wednesday at the 2026 Royal meeting.
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 21/06/2026
Part Two of my ATR Royal Ascot Review, covering Wednesday to Saturday www.attheraces.com/blogs/expert...
attheraces.com
Expert Analysis: Royal Ascot Review Part Two | At The Races
Simon Rowlands examines some noteworthy performances on the Royal Ascot turf from Thursday through Saturday of the meeting.
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
He performed much as I expected - very smart but not quite as good as 2 high-class rivals at this stage - which can prompt a form of confirmation bias. Might have got home better without racing so freely. Anything yourself?
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
A look back on the first two days at Royal Ascot 2026 www.attheraces.com/blogs/expert...
attheraces.com
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Very good, as usual. What would you put the likelihood of a Burnham victory at? Betting markets, which tend to be better barometers than polls, have it at 87%.
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 11/06/2026
This does beg the question “what are the other two (in your top 3 albums)?” Also, any thoughts on latest BoC offering?!
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Latest Class of 2026 blog on ATR focuses on Royal Ascot www.attheraces.com/festivals/as...
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
History and pedigrees. That would be about it.
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
It is poppycock, at this stage. Why do RP persist in giving him a platform to spout about form when he has demonstrated numerous times that he scarcely understands it?
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Simon Rowlands @simonrowlands.bsky.social · 04/06/2026
😬
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