The three‑day Yarmouth Festival draws to a close on Thursday with a packed seven‑race card that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. Among the highlights, the Boodles Handicap at Yarmouth pits two recent victors – Deep Havana and Pilu – against a field of twelve runners, promising an exciting contest for punters and fans alike. Deep Havana, ridden by Hamad Al Jehani, will be looking to add a second win for trainer Wathnan. The bay colt earned his first triumph for the stable when he edged out Yes I’m Mali by a head at Thirsk, a performance that earned him a five‑pound penalty.
Despite the added weight, the Wathnan‑owned horse is expected to stay competitive, especially given his demonstrated turn of foot and ability to handle the flat, fast gallops at Yarmouth. Pilu, on the other hand, is in the hands of veteran jockey Roger Teal.
The gelding dropped down a class to claim a Newmarket handicap in impressive fashion on his last start, and his connections have placed him as a major player in the Boodles Handicap under the guidance of trainer Joe Leavy. Pilu’s recent form suggests he thrives when given a clear run and can sustain a strong pace, attributes that should serve him well over the course’s straight and sweeping turns. Other notable entries include Westport, who will be sporting cheekpieces as he attempts to snap a recent losing streak. Kempton runner‑up Art Lover, trained by William Haggas and partnered with Tom Marquand, also draws attention for his consistency at the higher levels.
Meanwhile, Darn Hot, now carrying three pounds less than his last winning mark, could prove a hidden threat under Ed Walker’s tutelage. The race also features past winners Dojin and Level Look, both of whom have shown a knack for handling the softer ground that often characterises Yarmouth in early September. Dojin, who clinched a tight finish at Newmarket last month while wearing a first‑time hood, appears well‑suited to the current conditions and may have an excellent chance of repeating his success.
Level Look, the sole three‑year‑old in the field, doubled his career tally with an easy win at Wolverhampton and will be stepping up to two miles under Callum Hutchinson, a distance that could suit his stamina‑rich pedigree. Beyond the main event, the festival offers a rich tapestry of supporting races. Weekend winners include Almekarem, who is backed for a handicap victory at Newbury on Saturday, and Stem, another strong contender.
Hollie Doyle will ride Arapaho Gold in the Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury, aiming to extend the filly’s unbeaten record for trainer Michael Dods. Sky Sports Racing will also feature a clash between Spy Chief and Catullus at Newbury, with additional live coverage from Newton Abbot and Wolverhampton later in the day. In other news, Almeraq is set for a return to Ascot on Champions Day, while Fairy Glen is well‑fancied in the John Musker Fillies’ Stakes at Yarmouth. The Eastern Festival at Yarmouth kicks off with a series of novice contests that promise to showcase emerging talent.
Andrew Balding’s Level Look, having demonstrated his class at Wolverhampton, will be tested over a longer trip, while Charging Thunder and New York Minute round out a quartet of contenders with solid form. New York Minute, in particular, boasts a 14‑length victory back in 2025, indicating a high level of ability under jockey Joey Ramsden. In the Dan Hague Rails Bookmaker Nursery Handicap, Soldier Of The Sea leads an eleven‑horse field.
William Knight’s charge, who broke his maiden at Ffos Las in June and subsequently placed fourth in a novice at Ascot, looks promising on his handicap debut. Sydney Grace, a Carlisle novice winner, returns with a two‑pound penalty after a narrow defeat on her nursery debut at Wolverhampton. Across the Channel, the French programme includes the G3 Prix Robert Lejeune at Auteuil, where Huron Bleu and Navy Du Seuil will meet, followed by Losange Bleu headlining the Prix de Compiegne later in the day. Back in England, Wopbopaloomop tops a thirteen‑runner field in the Virgin 512 Nursery Handicap at Southwell, with trainer Richard Spencer seeking another win despite a six‑pound penalty.
The same venue will host the Sky 415 EBF Restricted Novice Stakes at 6.30 pm, featuring Peaberry for Tom Ward, while Zachary Hickes and Heroics clash in the Goffs Two Million Series Handicap. Overall, Yarmouth’s festival offers a blend of seasoned campaigners and promising newcomers, each looking to make an impact before the season draws to a close. Whether you are a seasoned bettor or a casual viewer, the variety of races and the quality of the fields guarantee a thrilling finale to one of Britain’s most beloved summer racing festivals.