The three‑day Yarmouth Festival draws to a close on Thursday, featuring a seven‑race card that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. Among the highlights, recent victors Deep Havana and Pilu are expected to be among the favorites in a twelve‑horse Boodles Handicap at the historic Yarmouth course. Deep Havana, ridden by Hamad Al Jehani, will line up with a recent win that gave trainer Wathnan his first triumph when the horse edged out Yes I’m Mali by a head at Thirsk. Although the horse carries a five‑pound penalty for that success, the Wathnan‑owned runner remains a strong contender to repeat the performance.
The penalty is unlikely to deter the connections, who will be hoping the horse can stay on the front foot and capitalize on its proven ability over similar distances. Pilu, trained by Roger Teal, is another horse to watch. The gelding stepped down in class to capture a Newmarket handicap in impressive fashion at his last outing and now heads into the Yarmouth contest under the guidance of jockey Joe Leavy.
The combination of a recent win and a favorable weight assignment makes Pilu a serious threat in a field that includes several well‑regarded runners. Other notable entries include Westport, who will be wearing cheekpieces as he attempts to snap a recent losing streak and get back to winning form.
Art Lover, a runner who placed second at Kempton, is attracting attention from William Haggas and will be partnered by Tom Marquand, adding further intrigue to the race. Darn Hot, now carrying three pounds less than his previous winning mark, is also a horse to monitor for trainer Ed Walker. The card also features a trappy handicap at Southwell, where previous winners Dojin and Level Look will take their chances.
Dojin, who clinched a tight finish at Newmarket last month while sporting a first‑time hood, appears well‑placed to replicate that success in a similar race. Level Look, the only three‑year‑old on the card, doubled his career tally with an easy win at Wolverhampton and will be stretched out to two miles under Callum Hutchinson, suggesting he could improve further. Additional entries of interest include Charging Thunder and New York Minute, the latter boasting a 14‑length victory at the same course and distance back in 2025, now under the care of Joey Ramsden.
In the Dan Hague Rails Bookmaker Nursery Handicap, Soldier Of The Sea leads an eleven‑horse field, while William Knight’s charge, who broke his maiden at Ffos Las in June, has shown steady progress and could be a solid performer on his handicap debut after a fourth‑place finish in a novice at Ascot. The festival also showcases a range of novice and nursery races across the country.
Sydney Grace, who has a novice win at Carlisle to her name, will be carrying an extra two pounds after a narrow defeat on her nursery debut at Wolverhampton. Mirzimaan, a Newbury novice winner earlier in the season, will be looking to rebound after a disappointing run in a York nursery last month, with market sentiment likely to influence his odds. On the international stage, Auteuil will host the Group 3 Prix Robert Lejeune at 10:42 am, featuring a compelling clash between Huron Bleu and Navy Du Seuil.
Later, French hurdling star Losange Bleu will headline the Prix de Compiegne at 12:27 pm. Back in the UK, Southwell’s opening 4:20 pm Sky Sports Racing Virgin 512 Nursery Handicap will see Wopbopaloomop head a field of thirteen, with trainer Richard Spencer aiming for another victory despite a six‑pound weight increase. Later the same day, the 6:30 pm Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 EBF Restricted Novice Stakes will feature Peaberry for Tom Ward, while Zachary Hickes and Heroics will contest a Goffs Two Million Series Handicap, adding further depth to an already packed program. Throughout the day, Sky Sports Racing will also bring viewers live coverage of Spy Chief versus Catullus at Newbury, as well as action from Newton Abbot and Wolverhampton on Friday.
Additional programming includes a feature on Fairy Glen, a well‑fancied runner in the John Musker Fillies’ Stakes at Yarmouth, and a preview of the Eastern Festival’s novice action. Off the track, former Leger winner Saffie Osborne will discuss the abundance of talented jockeys waiting for opportunities in an interview with Kevin Blake, while Andrew Balding’s Level Look, fresh from a dominant win at Wolverhampton, will be highlighted as a horse with potential to step up in class. For fans who want to stay up‑to‑date, Sky Sports Racing offers a suite of news, interviews and features accessible via mobile devices, ensuring that the latest racing stories are always within reach.
The Yarmouth Festival, with its blend of seasoned campaigners and emerging talent, promises an exciting finale to a week of high‑quality flat racing, and the Boodles Handicap stands out as a key race where the battle between Deep Havana and Pilu could produce a memorable result.