Robert Cooper columns, interviews and analysis

Robert Cooper

This is where you will find all of Racing Ahead’s horse racing columns by Robert Cooper for race meetings, Cheltenham Festival, the Grand National, the Epsom Derby Meeting, Glorious Goodwood and Royal Ascot.

Marcus Aurelius was on the money: Robert Cooper digs deep for a hot Cheltenham Festival tip from a Roman emporer

17 February 2025 0 comments

What, if anything, can we learn from history? With Cheltenham almost in full beam view, we are annually bombarded with […]

NO BLUES FOR BILLY FAMILY: Robert Cooper ditches slippers for enthusiasm, youth and the All-Weather

20 January 2025 0 comments

At £1 a shot for every ‘how’s retirement going’ I must have amassed enough coins to gazump Amo Racing’s supremo Kia Joorabchian at the autumn yearling sales.

A ‘check’ that bounced back: Raising a toast to racing

23 December 2024 0 comments

Robert Cooper raises a toast to happy days racing in the year ahead.

Norma’s colours are flying proud

25 November 2024 0 comments

Robert Cooper sees Percy Willis and Kaadam grace white and green spots and red cap.

DIGGING OUT THE JUMPERS

28 October 2024 0 comments

The former Sky Racing frontman is all geared up for the change of codes – and clothing Now that another […]

FROM BOOK TO BOOKIES

23 September 2024 0 comments

The former Sky frontman turns detective in hunt for Arc clues One of the drawbacks of not working so frequently […]

GIFT HORSES AND FRENCH LESSONS

26 August 2024 0 comments

Robert Cooper finds ‘retirement’ is keeping him busy The old adage about looking a gift horse in the mouth springs […]

MY TIME FOR A WARM DOWN

25 July 2024 0 comments

Robert Cooper reflects on tragedy and triumph during his 50+ years in racing Just now the mundane seems such an […]

OUR SKY MAN IS FLYING THE COOP

27 June 2024 0 comments

Robert Cooper may be bidding farewell to Sky Sports but, never fear, will still be landing his gems in Racing […]

AIDAN CALLING IN TO BOOST EPSOM TALLY

30 May 2024 0 comments

But Robert Cooper is won over by James Fanshawe’s Ambiente Friendly touch Toppers and Tails suggest the serious stuff is […]

BLOOMING LOVELY AND THE BEE IS BUZZING BACK

21 April 2024 0 comments

Sky Racing’s frontman welcomes spring, the Flat and Charlton’s returning Okeechobee If there’s ever a time to be optimistic, it’s […]

IT’S SAFETY FIRST BUT NOBLE’S MY WINNER

17 March 2024 0 comments

Sky Racing frontman Robert Cooper casts a wistful eye back on old-school Nationals – but he’s fixed on Yeats Noble […]

IRELAND’S CALL ONCE MORE… TO BE SURE!

18 February 2024 0 comments

Robert Cooper recommends whacking a few quid on The Real Whacker at Cheltenham No such thing as a certainty? I’m […]

GALOPIN ON FOR A GOLDEN REMATCH

25 January 2024 0 comments

Robert Cooper sees blue skies ahead as Festival warms up to fever pitch It is tempting fate but there cannot […]

2024 LOOKS MAKE OR BREAK FOR RACING

21 December 2023 0 comments

Sky Racing correspondent Robert Cooper is hoping for a dry start to a new year that could be vital for […]

I’M READY FOR A CHRISTMAS CRACKER!

23 November 2023 0 comments

ROBERT COOPER Robert Cooper can’t wait to tuck into a festive feast of racing Leaving aside the obvious, there’s plenty […]

GOOD TO BE OUT IN THE COLD AGAIN

26 October 2023 0 comments

Robert Cooper Sky Sports Racing’s roving reporter has his winter coat on and is armed with his jumpers to follow […]

STOTT GOT A RAW DEAL

25 September 2023 0 comments

Sky Sports Racing’s correspondent wasn’t happy to see jockey Kevin Stott given his marching orders by Amo Racing Kevin Stott […]

Get ready for a golden month

31 August 2023 0 comments

Sky Sports Racing’s front man is glad silly season is over – and there’s lots to look forward to Just […]

Are our hopes up in Ashes?

27 July 2023 0 comments

The man on the telly is being distracted by a certain cricket series Obsession can be very distracting, and I […]

What exactly is Premierisation?

29 June 2023 0 comments

Sky Sports Racing’s correspondent ponders one of the great questions facing racing at the moment How did we do? Rarely […]

Sprewell gets my Derby vote

25 May 2023 0 comments

Sir Bob doesn’t claim to have the Epsom secret but he hopes the Harrington hopeful wins Without further delay, let’s […]

Who’ll come in from under the radar?

27 April 2023 0 comments

Sky Sports’ Racing correspondent pinpoints a few trainers and jockeys to look out for during the Flat summer There are […]

I’ve always been shooting for the moon!

23 March 2023 0 comments

Our Sky Racing correspondent has certainly been clocking up the miles in recent weeks Horses usually get a well-deserved break […]

TIME TO DUST OFF THOSE FLIP-FLOPS

23 February 2023 0 comments

Sky Sports’ Racing correspondent is looking forward to dressing down at the races There is now a chance, albeit a […]

YOU JUST CAN’T WHACK IT!

26 January 2023 0 comments

Sky Sports’ Racing correspondent has been impressed with what he’s seen already on the circuit this year Random thoughts can […]

BILLY’S ONE TO WATCH

26 January 2023 0 comments

Our Sky Racing correspondent pinpoints a top jockey talent Happy New Year! One of the compensations of advancing seniority (ok, […]

Billy’s one to watch

22 December 2022 0 comments