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, two recent winners – Deep Havana and Pilu – are expected to be among the leading contenders in a twelve‑horse Boodles Handicap. Deep Havana, ridden by Hamad Al Jehani, will be looking to add another victory to his record.
The horse secured his first win for trainer Wathnan when he edged out Yes I’m Mali by a head at Thirsk, earning a modest five‑pound penalty for the upcoming race. Despite the added weight, the Wathnan‑owned colt remains a strong prospect, especially given his demonstrated 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 and is now being backed heavily by jockey Joe Leavy. The combination of a proven handicap performer and a confident rider makes Pilu a serious threat in the field.
Other notable entries include Westport, who will be wearing cheekpieces as he attempts to get back to winning ways, and Art Lover, a Kempton runner‑up that has attracted the attention of trainer William Haggas and jockey Tom Marquand. Ed Walker’s Darn Hot is also of interest; the horse is carrying three pounds less than his last winning mark, which could give him a tactical edge. The race also features past winners Dojin and Level Look, both of whom are contesting a competitive handicap at Southwell. Dojin, who wore a hood for the first time in a tight finish at Newmarket last month, appears well‑placed to repeat his success in a similar setting.
Level Look, the only three‑year‑old in the field, doubled his career tally with an easy win at Wolverhampton and is now stepping up to a two‑mile distance under Callum Hutchinson, suggesting he could improve further. Additional runners adding depth to the card include Charging Thunder and New York Minute, the latter boasting a 14‑length victory at the same course and distance back in 2025. Soldier Of The Sea tops an eleven‑horse Dan Hague Rails Bookmaker Nursery Handicap, while William Knight’s charge, a former Ffos Las maiden, is making his handicap debut after a respectable fourth in a novice at Ascot. Sydney Grace, a Carlisle novice winner, will be carrying two pounds extra after a narrow defeat on her nursery debut at Wolverhampton.
Mirzimaan, who claimed a Newbury novice earlier in the season, looks to rebound after a disappointing run in a York nursery last month, with the market likely to reflect his recent form. On the international scene, the Auteuil G3 Prix Robert Lejeune at 10:42 am will see Huron Bleu and Navy Du Seuil clash, followed by French hurdling star Losange Bleu headlining the Prix de Compiegne at 12:27 pm. Back in the UK, Wopbopaloomop leads a thirteen‑horse field in Southwell’s opening Virgin 512 Nursery Handicap at 4:20 pm, with trainer Richard Spencer targeting another win despite a six‑pound penalty.
Later, the Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 EBF Restricted Novice Stakes at 6:30 pm will feature Peaberry for Tom Ward, while Zachary Hickes and Heroics compete in the Goffs Two Million Series Handicap. The festival also offers a host of other storylines: Almekarem is backed for a handicap victory at Newbury on Saturday, while Stem is also fancied. Hollie Doyle’s Arapaho Gold aims to extend an unbeaten run in Michael Dods’ Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury. Spy Chief and Catullus will meet at Newbury, and Newton Abbot and Wolverhampton will be featured on Friday’s Sky Sports Racing broadcast.
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, and fans can stay up to date with the latest racing news, interviews, and features via Sky Sports Racing’s mobile platforms. Overall, Thursday’s Boodles Handicap promises a thrilling conclusion to the Yarmouth Festival, with a deep field of proven performers, promising newcomers, and a variety of tactical scenarios that should keep punters and racing enthusiasts alike on the edge of their seats.