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 headline attractions are recent victors Deep Havana and Pilu, both of whom are expected to be strong contenders in the Boodles Handicap, a twelve‑runner contest that promises plenty of excitement. Deep Havana, ridden by Hamad Al Jehani, earned his first win for trainer Wathnan when he edged out Yes I’m Mali by a head at Thirsk.
Despite picking up a five‑pound penalty for that triumph, the Wathnan‑owned gelding remains a serious threat and will be looking to add another success to his record. Pilu, trained by Roger Teal, dropped down in class for his most recent outing and seized a Newmarket handicap in impressive fashion. With jockey Joe Leavy aboard, Pilu is also slated as a major player in the Boodles Handicap and could easily capitalize on the form shown at Newmarket. Other notable runners include Westport, who sports cheekpieces and hopes to snap a recent losing streak, and Art Lover, a Kempton runner‑up that has attracted the attention of William Haggas and Tom Marquand.
Ed Walker’s Darn Hot is also worth watching, as the horse now carries three pounds less than his last winning effort. The field is further bolstered by last‑time winners Dojin and Level Look, who will contest a competitive handicap at Southwell. Dojin, fresh from a tight finish at Newmarket last month where he debuted a new hood, appears well‑placed to repeat his performance in a similar race environment. In other racing news, Hollie Doyle will guide Arapaho Gold in the Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury, aiming to extend the unbeaten streak for trainer Michael Dods.
Sky Sports Racing’s Thursday schedule also includes a clash between Spy Chief and Catullus at Newbury, along with live coverage from Newton Abbot and Wolverhampton. The racing round‑up highlights Almeraq’s anticipated return to Ascot for Champions Day, while Fairy Glen is among the favorites in the John Musker Fillies’ Stakes at Yarmouth. The Eastern Festival at Yarmouth kicks off with promising novice action, and jockey Saffie Osborne notes that many talented riders, such as Leger winner Kevin Blake, are simply waiting for the right opportunity. Andrew Balding’s Level Look, the only three‑year‑old in the field, doubled his career win total with a comfortable victory at Wolverhampton last week.
The horse looks capable of handling the two‑mile distance under Callum Hutchinson. Meanwhile, Charging Thunder and New York Minute will contest a quartet, with New York Minute boasting a 14‑length win at the same course and distance back in 2025, now under the guidance of Joey Ramsden. The Dan Hague Rails Bookmaker Nursery Handicap promises a strong lineup, headlined by Soldier Of The Sea, who leads an eleven‑horse field. William Knight’s charge, after breaking his maiden at Ffos Las in June, has shown consistent ability, including a fourth‑place finish in a novice at Ascot, making him an intriguing entrant on his handicap debut.
For fans on the go, the latest racing news, interviews, and features are available via the Sky Sports Racing app, ensuring you never miss a story. Sydney Grace, who claimed a novice win at Carlisle, is now carrying two pounds more after a narrow defeat on her nursery debut at Wolverhampton. Mirzimaan, a Newbury novice winner earlier in the season, struggled in a York nursery last month, which may affect his odds. On the international stage, Auteuil’s Group 3 Prix Robert Lejeune at 10:42 am will see Huron Bleu and Navy Du Seuil battle for supremacy, followed by French hurdling star Losange Bleu headlining the Prix de Compiegne at 12:27 pm.
Back in the UK, Wopbopaloomop tops a thirteen‑horse field in Southwell’s 4:20 pm Virgin 512 Nursery Handicap, with trainer Richard Spencer looking for another win despite a six‑pound penalty. Later at Southwell, 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 clash in the Goffs Two Million Series Handicap, adding further depth to an already packed racing day.
Overall, Thursday’s Yarmouth card offers a blend of seasoned campaigners and rising novices, each eager to make their mark as the festival draws to a close. Whether you’re backing a proven handicapper like Deep Havana, a freshly promoted talent such as Pilu, or one of the many promising newcomers, the day promises plenty of drama, strategy, and the thrill that only horse racing can deliver.