Monday promises a full slate of flat racing across Bath, Lingfield Park and Wolverhampton, all broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. The headline attraction at Lingfield is the Tia Giggle Gallop Handicap over seven furlongs, where the highly‑rated gelding El Matador will contest a six‑runner field.
Owned by Valmont and trained by the partnership of Hector Crouch and Ralph Beckett, El Matador arrives with two victories from six starts and a current rating of 87. After a promising start to his three‑year‑old campaign last season, where he won two of his first three outings, his form tapered off in the latter part of the year.
Having been gelded over the winter, connections expect an improvement in consistency and maturity from this relatively untested runner. Among his rivals, Tiger Crusade could pose the biggest threat. The seasoned campaigner boasts ten wins from 57 starts and, despite a disappointing last‑place finish in his most recent start, he is now dropping back to his last winning handicap mark, making him a dangerous contender that should not be underestimated.
The other notable challengers are King’s Vanity and Silver Trumpet, who appear to be the strongest of the remaining entries and could provide a solid test for the favorite. In addition to the Lingfield feature, the day’s programme includes a compelling maiden race at Bath – the Silvershine Turf Services Support Bath Maiden Stakes – where David Evans fields a promising grey gelding named Undercover Affair. This horse is out of the mare Secret Romance, making him a full brother to Group‑level performers Rosy Affair and Cuban Mistress.
Given Evans’s reputation for developing talent, Undercover Affair could be one to watch on his debut. Evans also has three other runners in the meeting: stablemates Dandyman Dan and Downloadmylife, the latter hoping to improve on a modest showing in the Brocklesby.
Also featuring at Bath is Global Success, who finished fifth ten days ago after taking on the pace. With that experience under her belt, she may be poised to make a step forward in the current contest. Richard Hannon contributes the only other filly on the card, Leucothea, a daughter of Soldier’s Call, who makes her first start for a form‑rich stable and could add another layer of intrigue to the race. Moving north to Wolverhampton, the 28th June Handicap – a trappy Country and Western Raceday – will see Epictetus, a son of Kingman, line up against six previous course winners.
Epictetus, who was placed fifth in the Prix du Jockey Club behind Ace Impact, has struggled since his Group Three Thoroughbred Stakes win in 2023 but has shown competitiveness in recent lower‑class outings. Now under the care of the Osborne team, he hopes to rediscover his best form.
Also in the field are Big Sip, Echalar, Jez Bomb, Lordsbridge Blu, Newfangled and Renesmee, each of whom has recorded a win at Wolverhampton, promising a tightly contested handicap. The card also includes several notable sprinters and stayers across the venues.
At 11:25 at Bordeaux, an Al Shaqab‑by‑Frankel colt for Fabre will seek his first victory. At 2:45 in Lingfield, Travel Agent attempts to overcome a 4‑pound weight increase. The 3:30 Bath race features Alvin and Comic Strip, both presenting a clear class angle. At 5:00 in Bath, Zoustellar aims to confirm his recent success at Yarmouth, while the 5:20 Lingfield meeting will see Youthful King clash with Son Of Man.
Later, at 6:00 in Wolverhampton, a half‑sister to a Listed winner, Novakai, makes her debut, and at 8:00 the same venue, Forever Perfect carries a six‑pound penalty, adding further intrigue to the evening’s lineup. Overall, Monday’s racing offers a blend of established talent and emerging prospects, with El Matador’s return to Lingfield serving as the centerpiece. Fans can follow live commentary, interviews and in‑depth analysis on Sky Sports Racing, ensuring they never miss a story from the world of thoroughbred sport.