Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle shares her top picks for the 2026 flat season, featuring a talented lineup of horses. Richard Hannon's five-year-old has shown impressive form, winning a valuable handicap at Ascot and the Listed Cammidge Stakes at Doncaster. This horse is expected to make a seamless transition into Group company. Another promising contender is a big son of New Bay, who gave Hollie a nice feel when scoring on debut at Chelmsford City.
He showed great control in his 10f maiden despite being green and is expected to improve. A three-year-old son of Caravaggio also made a stunning debut performance in a Saint-Cloud newcomers race, toying with his opposition over 1m.
He has been hailed as a potential star and is in good hands with Francis Graffard. Aidan O'Brien's son of Wootton Bassett is another one to watch, having made all the running in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy last autumn. He is expected to develop into a serious Derby contender, especially over longer distances. William Haggas's son of Kingman, a half-brother to Group 1 star King Of Change, has shown improvement and is highly regarded.
Hollie's husband Tom Marquand is a fan of a filly who debuted with a win at Newbury and has a hefty price tag to live up to. Despite being on the weak side last summer, a son of Havana Grey has done well physically and shaped well in his comeback run. David Ward's daughter of Starman could be a headline horse, having been too classy for her rivals in a 6f Nottingham maiden. Archie Watson's son of Sea The Stars made a spectacular winning debut and will be interesting to watch in deeper waters.
Karl Burke's son of Night Of Thunder is another top pick, having made it four from four in the Group 2 Joel Stakes at Newmarket and aiming for the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.