The racing action on Tuesday spans both sides of the English Channel, with Sky Sports Racing turning its lenses toward several notable venues: Chantilly in France, and the English courses of Yarmouth, Southwell, and Lingfield. While each track offers its own intrigue, the centerpiece of the day appears to be the Listed Prix de Suresnes at Chantilly. This race will feature a modest field of five runners, two of whom are current participants in the prestigious Prix du Jockey Club, commonly known as the French Derby. The two Derby hopefuls are Montreal and Dolmalan, both eager to showcase their abilities on a day that promises high‑quality competition.
Looking back at last year’s edition of the Prix de Suresnes, the race proved a useful stepping‑stone for several future stars. The winner, Nitoi, earned a place in the following year's Prix du Jockey Club, while the runner‑up, Leffard, and the fourth‑placed Azimpour also secured spots in that classic contest. Meanwhile, third‑placed New Ground took the ultimate step up to contest the Epsom Derby in England. Even the fifth‑placed finisher, Juwelier, went on to claim a second‑place finish in the Saratoga Derby, underscoring the race’s reputation as a launchpad for horses with classic ambitions.
Turning to the home‑grown talent, the Aga Khan Studs have entered a promising colt named Dolmalan. The young horse arrives at Chantilly unbeaten in two starts, his most recent victory coming on the very same track, suggesting he is comfortable with the surface and the layout.
Dolmalan’s unbeaten record and his connections’ confidence make him a strong contender for the day’s top honors. Montreal, the second French Derby hopeful, brings a different storyline. Trained by the renowned Aidan O'Brien, Montreal is currently priced at 16/1 for the Betfred Derby, reflecting a belief among punters that he could be a serious challenger for the British classic later in the season. His participation in the Prix de Suresnes offers a valuable opportunity to test his form against quality opposition and to gauge whether he can sustain the level required for a Derby run.
Also on the card is Martagny, another horse owned by the same partnership that fields Leffard. Martagny arrives with the most experience of the group, having already secured two victories.
His seasoned record could prove advantageous in a race that will likely be tactical, with each jockey looking to position their mount for a decisive finish. The £13,000 handicap also features Lady Mariko, a mare who has been on an upward trajectory. She will be carrying six pounds more than she did in her last outing, after a convincing win at Kempton where she displayed a strong finishing kick. In her most recent start, Lady Mariko claimed her third career victory, and first since July, under the guidance of James Doyle in a plate race earlier this month.
She was prominently placed throughout and extended well to win, albeit eased down at the line. The handicapper has responded by raising her rating from 74 to 80, meaning today she will be tasked with a higher weight, a factor that could make her run more challenging but also underscores the confidence the official handicappers have in her ability. Beyond the front‑runners, the remainder of the field appears less form‑filled, though Bridget's View, rated at 86, offers a note of intrigue. She recorded a notable win in December, a performance that included a decisive victory over Stateira.
That same Stateira later triumphed on All‑Weather Finals Day, capturing the Fillies' and Mares' Championships at Newcastle, which retrospectively adds credibility to Bridget's View’s earlier win. The third race on the card is the Follow @attheraces On Instagram Handicap, where Eternal Solace will contest against ten rivals. Eternal Solace, a daughter of Tasleet, is still relatively unexposed, having competed only eight times and secured two wins—one at Brighton and another in October of the previous year over the same course and distance as today’s race. Although she has not won recently, she demonstrated her class by finishing second in the All‑Weather 3‑Year‑Old Championships at Newcastle earlier in the month, indicating that she is capable of performing well against quality opposition.
Also worth watching is Bone Marra, who is carrying five pounds more than in his November win at Wolverhampton. A winter break often benefits horses, allowing them to recover and mature, and Bone Marra’s connections will be hoping that the time off translates into further improvement, making him a potentially dangerous contender in the handicap.
Finally, the field includes Comprador, a full‑brother to Trillium, the winner of the Flying Childers Stakes at Doncaster. Comprador is a three‑race maiden stepping up to a handicap for the first time. While she lacks a win, her pedigree and the fact that she is making her debut at this level make her a horse to watch, as she could surprise the more experienced runners.
In summary, Tuesday’s racing schedule offers a blend of established talent and emerging prospects across both French and British venues. The Prix de Suresnes at Chantilly stands out as the marquee event, with two French Derby hopefuls—Montreal and Dolmalan—looking to cement their status as classic contenders.
Meanwhile, the British handicaps provide opportunities for seasoned campaigners like Lady Mariko and rising stars such as Eternal Solace and Bone Marra to make their mark. Fans of Sky Sports Racing can anticipate a day filled with strategic battles, potential upsets, and the early signs of horses that may go on to feature in the season’s biggest races.