Thursday promises a packed programme of flat racing across several venues, with live coverage on Sky Sports Racing from Doncaster, Newbury, Southwell and Yarmouth. The highlight of the day is the BetVictor Nursery Handicap at Newbury, where two recent winners – Victory Gold and Waasil – will lead a five‑horse field. Victory Gold, trained by Saeed bin Suroor, secured his first career victory in a modest novice race at Lingfield, edging out Romanza.
The colt now starts as a live player with an opening price of 87, reflecting the confidence bettors have in his potential after that breakthrough win. His performance at Lingfield showed a blend of early speed and the ability to sustain it over the finishing stages, traits that should serve him well in the Newbury contest.
Waasil, owned and trained by Karl Burke, broke his maiden at Beverley last month, doing so on his second start. The filly displayed a clear affinity for a little extra ground, thriving over a slightly longer trip.
In the upcoming Newbury race she will be paired with jockey Sam James, who will need to manage her stamina and timing to keep her in contention throughout the race. Both Victory Gold and Waasil are expected to dictate the pace early, turning the BetVictor Nursery Handicap into a tactical showdown.
Other notable runners include Duke of Burgundy, a Kempton winner saddled by Richard Hannon, and Flying Pirate, who has been gelded since finishing third at Salisbury on his last start. Their connections are hoping the change in status will unlock further improvement and add depth to the field. At Doncaster, the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes will feature Night Star and Jassas in a compelling opening race. Jassas, a Dubawi colt, makes his debut for a powerful ownership group that has already produced several high‑class performers this season.
Veteran jockey William Buick will be aboard, and the market expects him to be placed close to the finish. Night Star, trained by Richard Hannon, builds on a promising first start in which he finished third over the same course and distance just two weeks ago. With Sean Levey in the saddle, Night Star should be well‑placed to challenge for a place. A 550,000‑euro yearling named Lead The Squad makes his debut for trainer George Scott with Darragh Keenan aboard.
The Sea The Stars‑sired colt is closely related to St Leger runner‑up Crystal Ocean, giving him a pedigree that suggests stamina and class. Bettors will be watching his first run closely, as the lineage hints at a potential future star. The Crisfords have introduced a new prospect, Narrjoo, purchased for 200,000 gns. He is a half‑brother to the UAE‑based Prince, and his bloodlines indicate a blend of speed and durability.
While still untested, his price reflects a belief that he could develop into a competitive runner. For those who want instant updates, Sky Sports Racing offers a dedicated app that delivers the latest racing news, interviews and feature stories straight to your mobile device. The platform also promotes the Raceday Ready App, which includes a handicap race at Yarmouth where Starfinch will make her debut.
The filly has lowered her handicap rating and will contest the Download The Raceday Ready App Handicap, a race designed to give emerging talent a chance to showcase their ability. Harry Eustace’s filly, who claimed a novice win at Southwell in January, stepped up to Listed company in the Spring Cup Stakes at Lingfield the following month and later finished ninth in a Listed race at Goodwood. The drop back in class at Yarmouth should suit her, and she will look to regain confidence against a more modest field.
Hardy’s Hero has been a consistent performer, albeit a beaten favourite in his last two outings. After a narrow head defeat at Newmarket, he returns to the same starting mark and should be a strong contender, especially if he can replicate the form that saw him finish close in his recent races.
Completing the Newbury field are Caviar Cowboy and Three Non Blondes, two horses that add depth and variety to the contest. Their connections hope the race will provide a platform for a breakthrough performance.
In addition to the main events, the programme includes several other noteworthy races: - 2.40 Doncaster – Round The Table, who impressed at Ffos Las, appears to be above average and will be a key contender. - 3.10 Doncaster – Jumeirah Storm makes his nursery debut and is expected to be fancied by the market. - 6.30 Newbury – Lorraine, a Frankel‑filly, makes her first start; she is related to Publish and Arizona, suggesting a blend of speed and stamina.
- 5.04 Yarmouth – Anchiano aims to repeat his previous success over the same course and distance. - 8.34 Yarmouth – A solid Class Five featuring Roi De Coeur and Celtic Chariot, both seeking another victory. - 4.53 Southwell – Former winners Dannick and Gunfighter clash in a competitive contest. - 4.13 Vichy – A Listed race where Grand Baigneuse, backed by the Graffard team, is expected to be popular among punters.
- 11.06 Mont De Marsan – Amy Murphy saddles Noble Approach in what promises to be an intriguing finish. Overall, Thursday’s racing slate offers a blend of seasoned campaigners, promising newcomers and intriguing storylines across the British flat racing circuit.
Whether you are tracking the progress of a rising star like Victory Gold, evaluating the form of a seasoned handicapper such as Waasil, or simply enjoying the depth of competition in the supporting races, there is plenty to watch and discuss. Stay tuned to Sky Sports Racing for live commentary, expert analysis and up‑to‑the‑minute results throughout the day.