Our ambassador sets the scene for a bustling Saturday at Windsor, where a series of clashes will unfold, highlighted by the Listed August Stakes, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing from 4:30 pm. The centerpiece of Saturday evening’s Sky Sports Racing schedule is the Listed Weatherbys August Stakes (run over six and a half furlongs).
This race could be a perfect target for my husband Tom Marquand aboard the well‑trained Tenability, who is in the care of trainer William Haggas. Tenability is a proven performer at Windsor and, importantly, shows no aversion to softer ground. He demonstrated his versatility last autumn at Ascot when he chased home Al Qareem in the Cumberland Lodge on a rain‑slicked surface.
Since then he has been kept fresh, having bested his stablemate Hamish at Goodwood in June and then holding on for third place in a Group Three at Deauville over a longer distance. When you compare his recent form with that of the intriguing Silawi, the case for Tenability becomes clearer. Silawi has been a little disappointing after a glittering win in the Group One International in Canada last October and a strong effort in the Jebel Hatta in Dubai in January, where he finished a close second to Opera Ballo. Tenability’s consistency and adaptability give him the edge in this particular contest.
The day’s most prestigious race, however, is the Group Two Virgin Bet Celebration Mile Stakes (3 minutes 10 seconds) at Goodwood. I will be keeping a close eye on the likable Zavateri, who looks poised to claim his first victory of the year. Zavateri, a three‑year‑old trained by Eve Johnson‑Houghton, ran respectably behind Bow Echo in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood and held his own in Notable Speech’s Group One at York last weekend. Though he is making a quick turnaround, his past success in the Vintage Stakes at this course suggests he can handle the pressure and might snatch a win, potentially at the expense of Qirat – last year’s surprise Sussex Stakes winner, who could become a threat if he gets a front‑running run.
Never miss a story – stay up to date with the latest racing news, interviews and features on your mobile device. George Scott appears tempted to place Forty Years On in the stakes company, targeting the Virgin Bet Every Saturday Money‑Back Handicap (2 furlongs) at Goodwood. The progressive filly has been raised 8 lb to a rating of 96 and has already recorded four wins from five starts, including a comfortable victory on soft ground at Newbury in early June.
Any further rain along the South Coast should suit her. Her main rival will be Andrew Balding’s Ghost Mode, who won at the Goodwood Festival despite a tendency to hang badly.
Ghost Mode carries four pounds more than Forty Years On and looks to be her biggest challenge, while The Fingal Raven offers value at longer odds, having shown solid form in recent outings. William Haggas’s gelding High Degree, a son of Too Darn Hot, looks capable of giving weight to his rivals in the Virgin Bet A Good Bet Handicap (2 furlongs 35 seconds) at Goodwood. Cieren Fallon’s mount was revitalised by the introduction of cheekpieces at Pontefract a few weeks ago and remains lightly raced enough to handle a four‑pound increase.
I also see potential in Gary and Josh Moore’s Too Soon, who appears well‑handicapped despite a win at Epsom early in the season. He could provide a solid ride for the young Warren Fentiman if the colt is fully prepared for his return after a three‑month break.
Turning to the Welsh contingent, I would love to see Chris Mason’s All Ways Glamorous perform as he did in the Shergar Cup, though he may have to settle for a share of the modest prize money in the Virgin Bet Supports Safe Gambling Handicap (4 furlongs 55 seconds) at Goodwood. My personal pick for that race is David O’Meara’s Toca Madera, who ran a strong race in defeat at York last week before struggling on softer ground a few days later.
His fifth‑place finish in the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood suggests he can hold his own against seasoned rivals under the guidance of trainer Danny Tudhope. On Saturday at Sandown, I expect Secret Of Life to preserve her unbeaten record in the Group Three BetMGM Atalanta Stakes (2 furlongs 50 seconds).
Ralph Beckett’s daughter of Pinatubo captured the Listed Coral Distaff on Eclipse Day and now looks ready to step up, benefitting from a weight allowance against older fillies. Equally compelling is Calendar Girl, a Listed winner who returned at Haydock Park three weeks ago. Like Secret Of Life, she also has an entry in the Group One Sun Chariot, and trainer Owen Burrows will be hoping for another progression.
Sonic Angel’s two All‑Weather victories have shown the colt’s ability to adapt, and Simon and Ed Crisford’s son of Dark Angel is set to make his turf debut in the Group Three BetMGM Solario Stakes (3 furlongs 30 seconds) at Sandown on Saturday. I was impressed by Oisin Murphy’s mount, which drew clear of the 90‑rated Siouxperb at Newcastle and then followed up with a penalty‑weighted run at Kempton Park this month. Although this colt still has much to prove, his entries in the Group Two Champagne Stakes and the Group One Dewhurst indicate a bright future.
He should be able to take on Godolphin’s promising Yarmouth debut winner, Rock Montreal, in the near term. The interview segment featured Hollie Doyle speaking with Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft, offering insights into her strategies and the upcoming race cards.
Overall, Saturday’s programme offers a rich tapestry of storylines—from seasoned campaigners like Tenability and Secret Of Life to rising stars such as Forty Years On and Toca Madera. Whether you favour proven form, promising pedigree, or the allure of a well‑handicapped outsider, there will be plenty of action to follow on Sky Sports Racing. Stay tuned for live coverage, expert analysis and post‑race interviews that will bring each race to life.