The Tuesday card will be highlighted by races at Ffos Las and Lingfield, with a total of fourteen contests streamed live on Sky Sports Racing – seven from each venue. At the centre of the action is the EBF Novice Stakes, a seven‑horse field headlined by two promising two‑year‑olds, Perfect Nation and Avianics.
Perfect Nation, racing in the colours of the Basher Watts Syndicate, made an encouraging debut when he finished just behind the highly‑rated Flann Sunna. He improved markedly in his next start, taking a decisive win at Lingfield, although that triumph has brought a seven‑pound penalty that will be reflected in his weight for the novice stakes.
Despite the extra burden, his connections remain confident that his class will see him through. Across the paddock, Andrew Balding has entered Avianics, a recent £150,000 breeze‑up purchase, with Qatari rider Ebrahim Nader in the saddle. Avianics has shown a tidy turn of foot, finishing three lengths behind the Vintage Stakes runner‑up Undiscovered.
The horse will enjoy a seven‑pound weight advantage over Perfect Nation, making the contest a genuine test of ability between the two juveniles. The remaining runners also add intrigue. Newcomer George Cross boasts a pedigree that includes a dam out of Group‑Three winner So Mi Dar, herself a placed runner in the Prix de l'Opera, suggesting the colt could be a serious challenger. Oisin Murphy will be aboard Midgham Man, a horse that was slow to find his rhythm on debut but could improve markedly with a more settled ride.
William Haggas has entered a £485,000 yearling named Flagbearer in the Dandara Homes Maiden Stakes. Flagbearer is owned by the Wathnan family, who also own a Sea The Stars colt making his three‑year‑old debut.
That colt is well‑bred; his dam is a half‑sister to Canadian Grade 1 winner Cannock Chase and to multiple Group‑1 victor Star Catcher, both of which impressed on their first starts at three, hinting that the youngster may possess a similar early‑season spark. Hollie Doyle will be watching Thunder Call, who is slated to feature in the Shergar Cup at Ascot, also broadcast on Sky Sports Racing over the weekend.
In related news, Jamie Lynch’s five entries at Ascot will be highlighted as international stars clash in the Shergar Cup. Kevin Doyle, a former Premier League striker, is now pursuing a dream at the Cheltenham Festival with his horses Augusta Kate and La Bague Au Roi, underscoring the cross‑sport appeal of horse racing.
At the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, Kalpana will be looking to outstay Calandagan, while veteran jockey Ryan Moore has been honoured with an MBE in the King’s Birthday Honours list. In the Epsom Classic, Benvenuto Cellini leads a quartet of Aidan O’Brien‑trained runners, adding further depth to the day’s programme.
Roger Varian’s Wootz also brings a strong pedigree to the card. His dam, a listed‑placed mare, is a sister to Grade‑3 winner Luck, who placed in a Grade‑1 race, and he is a half‑brother to the useful French three‑year‑old Marchon. Both relatives have shown a propensity for middle‑distance trips, suggesting Wootz may thrive over similar distances. Current jockeys’ championship leader Billy Loughnane will partner Arbaawy, a horse that has shown a relatively high standard of form.
Although Arbaawy was well beaten in a competitive handicap at Ascot on his last run, that race produced several high‑profile winners, including two at the recent Glorious Goodwood festival, so a return to winning ways is plausible. Vincenzo Bellini, who hung left in the straight on debut after a slow start, could improve under Callum Hutchinson’s guidance. Returning to the same course and distance, Mark Loughnane’s gelding will also be paired with Hutchinson, hoping to correct the early‑race mistake. The in‑form pair Taritino and Tabasko will clash in the gambling.com Handicap, a race that promises a blend of experience and youthful vigor.
Taritino, now six years old, has been in fine form, winning twice and placing twice in four starts since reverting from hurdling. He carries a respectable handicap and should be well‑suited to the 14‑furlong distance on offer. Three‑year‑old Tabasko has been remarkably consistent this season, only being narrowly beaten at Doncaster last month. With a weight allowance for his age and an extra three pounds taken off by trainer Ashley Lewis, Tabasko could leverage his youthful stamina against the older horses.
In a four‑runner sprint, Russian Rumour may struggle to make an impact, while Scarlet Moon could become a serious contender if a three‑month break has allowed him to regain his best form. Scarlet Moon returns to the flat after a solid stint over hurdles, adding a layer of versatility to the day's narrative. Overall, Tuesday’s card offers a rich tapestry of storylines: from the head‑to‑head battle between Perfect Nation and Avianics, to the pedigree‑driven prospects of George Cross and the seasoned talent of Taritino, to the broader sporting connections highlighted by former footballers and celebrated jockeys. Fans tuning in to Sky Sports Racing can expect a blend of youthful promise, seasoned experience, and the ever‑present drama that makes British flat racing a compelling spectacle.