The three‑day Yarmouth Festival draws to a close on Thursday, capping the meeting with a seven‑race card that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. Among the highlights is the Boodles Handicap, where two recent victors – Deep Havana and Pilu – are expected to be among the strongest contenders in a twelve‑horse field.
Deep Havana will be partnered by jockey Hamad Al Jehani. The horse secured its first win for trainer Wathnan when it edged out Yes I’m Mali by a head at Thirsk, earning a five‑pound penalty in the process. Despite that extra weight, the Wathnan‑owned mare looks well placed to add another win to her record, especially given her proven ability to finish strongly under pressure.
Pilu, trained by Roger Teal, is another horse to watch. After dropping in class, Pilu captured a Newmarket handicap in impressive fashion, demonstrating both speed and stamina.
The horse now carries the colors of owner Joe Leavy and will be guided by jockey Tom Marquand, who has a strong reputation for extracting the best from his mounts in sprint‑to‑middle‑distance contests. Other notable entries include Westport, who returns to the track sporting cheekpieces and hopes to snap a recent losing streak.
Kempton runner‑up Art Lover, trained by William Haggas, also features, with Tom Marquand slated to ride. Meanwhile, Darn Hot, now carrying three pounds less than its last winning effort, could prove a useful handicapper for trainer Ed Walker. The meeting also offers a secondary handicap at Southwell, featuring last‑time winners Dojin and Level Look.
Dojin, fresh from a tight finish at Newmarket where it wore a first‑time hood, appears well suited to the similar conditions of this race. Level Look, the sole three‑year‑old in the field, doubled its career tally with an easy win at Wolverhampton and is expected to stay on strongly over the two‑mile distance under Callum Hutchinson.
Additional runners such as Charging Thunder and New York Minute round out the card. New York Minute brings a strong course and distance record, highlighted by a 14‑length victory in 2025, while Charging Thunder has shown promising form in recent outings. The Dan Hague, Rails Bookmaker Nursery Handicap will see Soldier Of The Sea lead an eleven‑horse field. William Knight’s charge, who broke his maiden at Ffos Las in June and later placed fourth in a novice at Ascet, looks to make an impact on his handicap debut.
Sydney Grace, a Carlisle novice winner, will contest a nursery at Wolverhampton after a narrow defeat in her last start, while Mirzimaan, a Newbury novice winner, seeks to rebound after a disappointing run in a York nursery. On the international scene, Auteuil’s Group 3 Prix Robert Lejeune at 10.42 am will pit Huron Bleu against Navy Du Seuil, before French hurdling star Losange Bleu headlines the Prix de Compiegne at 12.27 pm. Back in the UK, Wopbopaloomop tops a thirteen‑horse field in Southwell’s opening Virgin 512 Nursery Handicap at 4.20 pm.
Trainer Richard Spencer, who has been in fine form lately, will be hoping the six‑pound penalty does not hamper the horse’s chances. Later that afternoon, the Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 EBF Restricted Novice Stakes at 6.30 pm will see Peaberry take the post for Tom Ward, following a competitive Goffs Two Million Series Handicap that featured Zachary Hickes and Heroics. Overall, the Yarmouth Festival offers a rich tapestry of races, from seasoned handicap winners to promising novices, providing plenty of storylines for racing enthusiasts. Whether you are tuning in for the Boodles Handicap showdown between Deep Havana and Pilu, or tracking the progress of emerging talent in the nursery handicaps, the day's action promises excitement and potential upsets.
Stay updated with the latest racing news, interviews, and features on Sky Sports Racing, and never miss a beat of the sport you love.