Monday promises a packed programme of all‑weather racing, with action slated for both Lingfield and Newcastle, all broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. The highlight at Lingfield will be the final race of the day, the Download The At The Races App Handicap, run over a distance of one mile and a quarter. Ten runners will line up for this contest, and among them is Charlie Clover's five‑year‑old Harlington, who is aiming to secure a remarkable four‑in‑a‑row win, having already recorded a career‑best rating in his most recent outing. Harlington's recent form has been nothing short of impressive.
After a promising second place on his debut for the stable in January, the colt went on to claim victory in his next three starts. One of those wins came on the very same course and over the same distance that he will contest today, giving him a clear edge in terms of familiarity with the going and the rhythm of the race. Adding to his prospects is the fresh partnership with jockey Tom Marquand, who is mounting the horse for the first time. Marquand's reputation as a skilled rider, combined with his eagerness to make a strong impression on a new mount, provides a further boost to Harlington's chances of extending his winning streak.
The principal challenger to Harlington's quest for a fourth successive win is likely to be Neil King’s Victors Spirit. The four‑year‑old is coming into the race on the back of his maiden victory just nine days ago, a win that demonstrated his ability to finish strongly. This time, however, Victors Spirit will be stepping down to his shortest distance at Lingfield, which could either expose a latent speed advantage or test his stamina limits.
The trainer’s decision to drop the trip suggests confidence that the colt possesses enough turn‑of‑foot to compete over the mile‑and‑quarter distance. Another contender worth watching is Roger Teal’s The Hare Rail. The gelding is entering the race with a career‑low rating, but that often indicates a horse that is undervalued by the handicapper and eager to prove its worth. A first win would be a welcome breakthrough for the connections and could see The Hare Rail improve its official rating substantially.
In a similar vein, Golden Circet, trained by Jim and Suzi Best, adds intrigue to the field. The horse is making a return after undergoing a wind operation, a procedure that can significantly enhance a horse’s respiratory efficiency and overall performance.
If the surgery has been successful, Golden Circet could surprise the market with a strong finish. Further entries include Double Red, trained by Henry Candy, and Kieran Shoemark’s mount Perfect Scoundrel, both of which have shown consistency in previous outings and could be placed well by the handicapper to make a genuine impact. The depth of the field ensures that the race will be highly competitive, with several horses possessing the form and ability to upset the favorite.
Beyond the headline race at Lingfield, the day’s schedule continues at Newcastle with the second race of the meeting, also a Download The At The Races App Handicap. Six horses will contest this event, and the field offers its own set of storylines. Sir Mark Prescott will saddle the four‑year‑old Analogical, a horse that has narrowly missed out on victory on two recent occasions, losing by a nose and a short head respectively. Analogical is now dropping back in distance, a move that could suit his running style and give him the platform to finally break his winless streak and claim a third career win.
David O'Meara’s Mao Shang Won, who was denied a hat‑trick of wins seventeen days ago after successes at Newcastle and Doncaster, will be back in the saddle with Daniel Tudhope aboard. The trainer will be hoping that the horse can rebound from the recent near‑miss and add another win to its record. A seasoned campaigner, Clansman, who previously won over the same course and distance, has been in consistent form since returning from a lengthy 208‑day spell away from the track. Today the horse will again drop back in trip, targeting an eighth career victory and further cementing its reputation as a reliable performer under a variety of conditions.
Moon Sniper, who was slightly unlucky in a recent start at Southwell, may benefit from a favorable handicap as he makes his stable debut for trainer Jessica Bedi. The jockey will be keen to give the horse a clean run and capitalize on any advantage the weight allocation provides. Rounding out the Newcastle field are Patrol, trained by Dylan Cunha, and a runner for Lizzie Quinlan under the guidance of Roger Henry, each hoping to make an impact in the six‑horse contest. The day’s racing action does not stop there.
Lingfield will also host the Joan Butcher 90th Birthday Fillies' Handicap at 2:51 pm, a mile‑and‑a‑half contest featuring seven fillies. Sea Of Charm, trained by Georgina Nicholls, has been in solid form lately, winning three of her last five starts. Veteran jockey William Cox, who has ridden the mare to three of her seven career wins, will be aboard again, aiming to add another triumph to their partnership. Rose Cotton, a four‑year‑old filly trained by Tom Clover, is another noteworthy entrant.
She opened the year with a win on her handicap debut at Wolverhampton in January, but failed to live up to odds‑on expectations in her most recent outing. The longer distance today may suit her stamina and provide an opportunity to bounce back. Other fillies to keep an eye on include Richard Hannon’s Schemaya and the last‑time‑out winner Twilight Moon, both of whom have demonstrated the ability to compete at this level and could be well‑placed by the handicapper to challenge for the prize. Additional races on the card include a 3:51 pm meeting at Lingfield featuring a head‑to‑head clash between Dyrholaey and Twilight Jet, as well as a 5:00 pm start for the yearling Behike, a 500,000‑gns purchase seeking its first win after finishing behind Raaheeb on debut.
Over at Newcastle, a 6:30 pm race will see the half‑sister to Ebt’s Guard, Ziata, favored to break cleanly from the gates, followed by a 7:00 pm contest where the 135,000‑gns purchase Gouken will make its first start after a gelding operation. For fans who want to stay up to date with the latest racing news, interviews, and feature stories, the Sky Sports Racing app provides a convenient way to receive breaking updates directly on a mobile device. Whether you are tracking the progress of a promising four‑timer like Harlington or following the fortunes of seasoned campaigners returning from long breaks, the app ensures you never miss a moment of the action. Internationally, French all‑weather meetings will also be underway, with meetings at Fontainebleau and Le Lion d’Angers offering additional opportunities for punters and racing enthusiasts to enjoy high‑quality competition across Europe.