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 winners Deep Havana and Pilu are expected to be the leading contenders in a twelve‑horse Boodles Handicap at the historic seaside course. Deep Havana, ridden by Hamad Al Jehani, secured his first victory for trainer Wathnan when he edged out Yes I’m Mali by a head at Thirsk. Despite carrying a five‑pound penalty for that win, the Wathnan‑owned colt remains a strong prospect and will be looking to add another win to his record.
The penalty may make the handicap slightly tougher, but Al Jehani’s confident riding style could prove decisive in a tightly contested finish. On the other side of the field, Pilu, trained by Roger Teal, has been making the most of a step down in class.
The horse captured a Newmarket handicap in impressive fashion on his last start, and his connections are hopeful that he will replicate that performance under the guidance of jockey Joe Leavy. Pilu’s recent form suggests he thrives when given a clear run, and the Boodles Handicap offers the perfect platform for him to showcase his ability. Other notable entries include Westport, who will be wearing cheekpieces in an attempt to regain winning form, and Art Lover, a Kempton runner‑up who has attracted the attention of trainer William Haggas and jockey Tom Marquand. Art Lover’s recent improvement makes him a dark horse in a race that promises to be highly competitive.
Additionally, Darn Hot, now carrying three pounds less than his last winning mark, will be ridden by Ed Walker and could prove to be a valuable factor in the outcome. The race also features past winners Dojin and Level Look, both of whom are contesting a tricky handicap at Southwell, as listed on attheraces.com. Dojin, who captured a close finish at Newmarket last month while sporting a brand‑new hood, appears well‑placed to repeat his success in a similar race condition. Level Look, the sole three‑year‑old among the entries, doubled his career tally with an easy win at Wolverhampton and will be stretched to two miles under Callum Hutchinson, suggesting he may have the stamina to stay on strongly in the final stages.
Further down the card, the weekend’s notable performances include Almekarem, who is backed for a handicap victory at Newbury on Saturday, and Stem, another contender receiving backing from punters. Jockey Hollie Doyle will be looking to continue her unbeaten run on Arapaho Gold in the Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury, while the Sky Sports Racing schedule also highlights a clash between Spy Chief and Catullus at Newbury, with additional live coverage from Newton Abbot and Wolverhampton.
In other news, Almeraq is set for an Ascot return on Champions Day, and Fairy Glen is well fancied in the John Musker Fillies' Stakes at Yarmouth. The Eastern Festival at Yarmouth kicks off with exciting novice action, offering a glimpse of future stars in the making. Andrew Balding’s Level Look, the only three‑year‑old in the field, displayed a dominant performance at Wolverhampton last week and is expected to improve further as he steps up to a two‑mile distance. Meanwhile, Charging Thunder and New York Minute round out the quartet of horses with strong form; New York Minute, in particular, boasts a 14‑length victory at the same course and distance back in 2025, making him a serious contender for trainer Joey Ramsden.
The Dan Hague Rails Bookmaker Nursery Handicap promises a strong lineup, with Soldier Of The Sea leading an eleven‑horse field. William Knight’s charge, who broke his maiden at Ffos Las in June and has shown consistent ability since, placed fourth in a novice at Ascot and now looks to make an impact on his handicap debut. Sydney Grace, a Carlisle novice winner, carries a two‑pound penalty after a narrow defeat on her nursery debut at Wolverhampton, while Mirzimaan, a Newbury novice victor, struggled in a York nursery last month, prompting the market to reassess his chances. Internationally, the French racing scene will see Auteuil’s G3 Prix Robert Lejeune at 10:42 am, featuring a compelling duel between Huron Bleu and Navy Du Seuil.
Later, the prestigious Prix de Compiegne will be headlined by hurdling superstar Losange Bleu at 12:27 pm. Back in the UK, Wopbopaloomop tops a thirteen‑horse field in Southwell’s opening 4:20 pm Virgin 512 Nursery Handicap, with trainer Richard Spencer aiming for another win despite a six‑pound increase in the horse’s weight. The same meeting will host the 6:30 pm Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 EBF Restricted Novice Stakes, where Peaberry will start for Tom Ward, following a competitive showdown between Zachary Hickes and Heroics in a Goffs Two Million Series Handicap.
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