The Friday card offers a lively mix of talent across three venues, with Doncaster, Chepstow and Fontwell each providing their own storylines for racing fans. On the Doncaster agenda, Bunyola Bay will take on Moreedd in the feature Friday contest, a race that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. Bunyola Bay, a seasoned campaigner, is set to leverage his experience in the Natural Innovations Novice Stakes, a race that could prove informative for his connections as they gauge his form against emerging talent. Among the younger prospects, Richard Hannon’s son of Ghaiyyath made a promising debut last season, finishing third behind Needle Match at Newbury.
Given that his rival placed fourth in the Greenham Stakes, expectations are high that the colt can improve on that effort and possibly secure a win at Doncaster. The field also includes Moreedd, trained by Roger Varian, who boasts an impressive pedigree that links him to the Group 1 winner Benbatl.
Moreedd will be ridden by Callum Rodriguez for Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, and many punters will be watching his odds closely as he experiences the Doncaster track for the first time. Completing the shortlist is Deported, a 78‑rated runner from Ollie Sangster’s stable, who returns to the turf after three starts on all‑weather surfaces. Deported will be partnered by Danny Tudhope, a jockey who has a respectable record at Doncaster, having finished in the first two positions in roughly one‑fifth of his rides over the past five years.
This combination of experience and recent form makes Deported a contender worth noting. Over at Chepstow, the Sun Trade Windows Final Pride Handicap Chase pits recent winners Broomfields Cave and Inflexible against each other in a competitive showdown. Inflexible’s record has been inconsistent, but when he hits his stride he demonstrates real ability over fences, as shown by his 25‑to‑1 victory at Uttoxeter last month. Stepping up another two furlongs, he could be a serious threat if he replicates that performance, especially under the guidance of jockey David Bass.
Other racing news items round out the bulletin. Kevin Doyle, a former Premier League striker, is now pursuing a place at the Cheltenham Festival with his horses Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi. At Ascot, Kalpana edged out Calandagan in a thrilling King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes duel. Legendary jockey Ryan Moore has been honoured with an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours, while Aidan O'Brien’s Benvenuto Cellini leads a four‑horse contingent for the Derby at Epsom.
At‑the‑races analyst Kevin Blake shares his Derby day picks, and former jockey Levi Williams has been sentenced to prison for the manslaughter of a pensioner after a pub altercation. Broomfields Cave, who recently secured a three‑from‑six record over fences at Wincanton while carrying an extra four pounds, is regarded as a major player with further improvement expected. Trainer Bradley Harris will retain the ride after the horse’s previous victory.
Among the remaining entries, Charles Ritz ran respectably in his last outing but may struggle to maintain that level, whereas Manothepeople is expected to find the Chepstow course more forgiving than his prior assignments. At Fontwell, Edgewell is targeting a hat‑trick in the Free Bets On attheraces.com Handicap Chase. Trainer Nick Scholfield, who enjoyed a standout first season, will look to add another win to Edgewell’s resume after two successful runs at Hereford. Though Edgewell has been rated higher in the past, a strong performance under jockey Harry Reed could see him overcome the competition.
For those seeking alternatives, Ballynaheer offers a compelling option. The horse is a proven course and distance winner, having succeeded in three of his last four starts, though he will need to overcome a career‑high weight assignment. Additional contenders include Sweet Nightingale and Le Galli Bier, both of which could cause an upset in a tightly contested race, while Moonlit Potter aims to rebound after a recent unseating at Hereford. Chepstow will also host a high‑profile clash between Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson in the Dunraven Windows Miss Millbrook Novices' Hurdle at 4:20 pm.
Nicholls’ entry, the Middleham Park‑owned Quay Item, will face Henderson’s enigmatic Treasure Planet, setting the stage for a tactical battle between two of the sport’s leading trainers. Back on the Doncaster Town Moor, the 4:35 pm Free Race Replays On attheraces.com Novice Stakes features James Keane’s The Jackal, who was unlucky in his debut defeat and will now make his second start.
He will be opposed by Jack Mitchell’s Bucklow Hill, who impressed on debut for Charlie Hills in January. The race’s recent history includes a 2024 winner, Royal Dress, who progressed to Listed and Group 3 success before finding his niche in Group 2 company at Royal Ascot. Finally, at Fontwell, Jackomy will chase a third consecutive victory in the 6:20 pm KSR Lighting Handicap Hurdle, though he must remain wary of rivals Calvino and Valadon, both of whom possess the speed and stamina to challenge for the top spot.
Overall, Friday’s program delivers a rich tapestry of storylines: seasoned campaigners testing their mettle, promising youngsters stepping up, and seasoned trainers seeking to add to their trophy cabinets. Fans can stay up‑to‑date with the latest racing news, interviews and features via Sky Sports Racing’s mobile platforms, ensuring they never miss a beat of the action.