Clash of the Titans: Artagnan and Gold Star Hero Face Off at Wolverhampton

Thursday's racing schedule is packed with All-Weather events from Southwell and Wolverhampton, broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. The highlight of Wolverhampton's evening card is the Free Bets On attheraces.com Handicap, featuring Artagnan at the top of a six-horse field. Having ended last season on a strong note, Artagnan is a top contender, especially after his wins at Chelmsford and a third-place finish as the favorite, also at Chelmsford. Another strong competitor is Gold Star Hero, trained by Michael Bell and ridden by Hector Crouch. Bell has had a successful spring, and if Gold Star Hero can dominate from the front, it will be a force to be reckoned with. Queue Dos boasts an impressive record at Wolverhampton, with four wins out of six starts, making it the best of the rest. Meanwhile, at Southwell, a high-quality field of six horses is set to compete in the Free Digital Racecard At Raceday-Ready.com Handicap, including Adjuvant and Carlton. Carlton, trained by James Owen, has proven himself on all-weather tracks and was last seen winning over hurdles at Huntingdon. He's only four pounds higher than his winning weight at Chelmsford in February, and the step up to two miles could work in his favor. Adjuvant, who has been rated much higher in the past, is looking to bounce back after a disappointing performance in the November handicap at Doncaster. This race is significantly easier than his recent assignments, providing him with a chance to redeem himself. Imperial Sovereign is known for consistency, while Senor Cortez is another notable mention on his second run for trainer John Butler. The Download The Racecourse App Raceday Ready Handicap at 4:55 pm is headlined by Tilted Kilt and Down To The Kid, making for a challenging yet exciting race. Down To The Kid, last year's winner, showed strong form behind Legal Reform in his last outing and looks ready to make a close challenge as he drops down a grade. Tilted Kilt has slipped to a useful mark after failing to win since his debut in 2024. Although he was unlucky in his penultimate run at Haydock and didn't perform well in a better race at the same venue in September, he poses a significant threat if he's fit enough for this return. Star Studied was disappointing as the favorite at Wolverhampton but gets another chance, while Eldrickjones cannot be ruled out based on some of his efforts this winter. Other races to watch include Naana's Crystal bidding to follow up her Southwell success at 8:30 pm at Wolverhampton, Youarenotforgiven aiming for a hat-trick at 7:00 pm, also at Wolverhampton, and Astrological, fancied for Marco Botti and Hollie Doyle at 6:00 pm. At Southwell, Ay Up Duck, who debuted with a second-place finish, is among eight runners at 2:42 pm, and Polly Darling gives weight all around at 3:47 pm. Across the Atlantic, Wesley Ward's two-year-olds, Skara Brae and Ruiva, are the ones to watch at 6:00 pm at Keeneland, while Ex-Ballydoyle horse Mounatin Bear features at 9:44 pm. Lastly, a Listed event takes place at 2:40 pm at Auteuil.