The three‑day Yarmouth Festival is drawing to a close on Thursday, and the final day will feature a seven‑race card that will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. Among the highlights is the Boodles Handicap, a twelve‑runner contest in which recent winners Deep Havana and Pilu are expected to be among the leading contenders. Deep Havana, who secured his first victory for trainer Hamad Al Jehani by edging out Yes I’m Mali by a head at Thirsk, will be ridden again by Al Jehani. The colt carries a five‑pound penalty for his previous win, but his connections believe the weight will not deter the Wathnan‑owned horse from delivering another strong performance.
The horse has shown a turn of foot and determination that could see him repeat his success at Yarmouth. Pilu, trained by Roger Teal, is another horse to watch. After dropping down in class, Pilu captured a Newmarket handicap in impressive fashion, and he now goes off as a major player under the guidance of jockey Joe Leavy.
The horse’s recent form suggests he is thriving when given a suitable distance and pace, and the Boodles Handicap could provide the perfect platform for him to add another win to his record. Other notable entries include Westport, who will be wearing cheekpieces in an attempt to regain his winning ways, and Art Lover, a runner‑up from Kempton who has attracted the attention of trainer William Haggas and jockey Tom Marquand.
Additionally, Darn Hot is worth monitoring; the horse is now carrying three pounds less than his last winning mark for trainer Ed Walker, which could make a significant difference in a tightly contested field. The card also features a trappy handicap at Southwell, where previous winners Dojin and Level Look will take part. Dojin, who recently prevailed in a close finish at Newmarket while sporting a first‑time hood, appears well‑suited to the conditions and should be a strong contender in this similar race. Level Look, the only three‑year‑old in the field, doubled his career tally with an easy win at Wolverhampton last week and is expected to be competitive over the two‑mile distance under Callum Hutchinson.
In other news from the weekend, Almekarem is backed for a handicap victory at Newbury on Saturday, with Stem also attracting attention from bettors. Hollie Doyle will ride Arapaho Gold in the Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury, aiming to continue the unbeaten run for trainer Michael Dods. Sky Sports Racing will also feature Spy Chief versus Catullus at Newbury, along with live coverage from Newton Abbot and Wolverhampton on Friday.
The network’s racing round‑up highlights Almeraq’s planned 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 exciting novice action, and fans can stay up‑to‑date with the latest horse racing news, interviews, and features through the Sky Sports Racing app. Among the remaining entries, Charging Thunder and New York Minute will contest the quartet, with New York Minute boasting a strong course and distance record—a 14‑length win back in 2025—for jockey Joey Ramsden.
The Dan Hague Rails Bookmaker Nursery Handicap also promises a competitive field, led by Soldier Of The Sea among eleven runners. William Knight’s charge, who broke his maiden at Ffos Las in June and subsequently placed fourth in a novice at Ascot, looks appealing on his handicap debut. Sydney Grace, a Carlisle novice winner, is up two pounds after a narrow defeat on her nursery debut at Wolverhampton. Mirzimaan, who claimed a Newbury novice earlier in the season but disappointed in a York nursery last month, may see his odds shift as the market reassesses his chances.
On the international scene, Auteuil’s Group 3 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 tops a 13‑runner field in Southwell’s opening 4:20 pm Virgin 512 Nursery Handicap, with trainer Richard Spencer looking for another victory 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 contest the Goffs Two Million Series Handicap. Racing enthusiasts are encouraged to never miss a story by following the latest updates, interviews, and features on their mobile devices, ensuring they stay informed about every development in the sport. Overall, Thursday’s Yarmouth card offers a rich tapestry of talent, from seasoned handicap winners to promising novices, all vying for glory under the bright lights of Sky Sports Racing. Whether you are backing a proven performer like Deep Havana, hoping for an upset from Pilu, or looking for value in the lower‑profile runners, the day promises plenty of excitement and betting opportunities for fans of the sport.