Ripon, Southwell and Belmont Park headline Saturday’s racing programme, all of which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. The focal point of the Ripon card is the Cathedral City of the Dales Handicap, where Eye of Dubai is targeting a third straight victory.
The five‑year‑old, owned by John and Sean Quinn, bounced back with a win in the Ayr Bronze Cup last weekend and now faces a five‑pound increase in the handicap. Despite the added weight, the horse’s proven affinity for the Ripon track makes it a serious contender for the top spot. Another horse to watch is Dark Thirty, a promising runner who impressed with a third‑place finish at the Curragh.
The handicapper has given him a two‑pound concession, and jockey Jake Dickson will also benefit from a five‑pound reduction, giving the gelding by Starspangledbanner a genuine chance to improve his placing in this race. Trefor, a proven performer over this course and distance, is closely matched with Indian Run.
The two horses finished a dead‑heat in a Windsor 1‑3 race back in August, and both are now being offered as each‑way bets, even though Trefor’s recent form has been somewhat erratic. David O’Meara will be aboard Yes I’m Mali, who showed a strong turn of foot on this track in his penultimate start. The horse should be well‑handicapped, especially after Conor Whiteley managed to pick up a convenient five‑pound allowance for the race. Sky Sports Racing also provides the latest horse‑racing news, interviews and feature stories throughout the day.
At Southwell, the maiden stakes will see Pyramid and Kashooda contest a potentially informative Free Bets On attheraces.com race. Pyramid, a Juddmonte colt, caught the eye when he finished second on his debut at Wolverhampton in July. After a brief lay‑off, he returned to finish a close second in a Listed race, while the third‑placed horse has also shown improvement, suggesting the form is solid.
Kashooda poses a significant threat for trainer Andrew Balding and jockey Callum Hutchinson. She has placed in each of her two starts to date, including a runner‑up finish to a strong opponent at Kempton, and is expected to deliver more in this outing.
Additional runners worth noting are Roxy Power and Pepperazzi, both making their debut for Oliver Cole in the Valmont silks. The Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Stakes will feature a strong European contingent, with El Cordobes and Pride of Arras leading a seven‑horse field. Charlie Appleby’s El Cordobes was third behind stablemate Rebel’s Romance in this race last year and later recorded a career‑best performance in the Breeders’ Cup Turf. He has not raced since a run in the H.H.
The Amir Trophy in February, but if he returns fit, he could be a major factor. Ralph Beckett’s Pride of Arras captured the Group 3 September Stakes at Kempton, beating Gethin, and will look to repeat that form as he steps back up to Grade 1 company. Far Bridge, who secured a Grade 3 win in his most recent start, was also placed behind El Cordobes in this race last season.
Ed Walker’s Fort George is another horse with a strong recent record that could challenge for the prize. The day opens with Grade 1 action from Australia, where Guest House and St Gotthard will contest the Golden Rose Stakes at Rosehill at 7:05 am. Back in the UK, Zarakova leads a six‑runner field in the Lloyd Landrover Ripon Nursery Handicap at 2:16 pm. Among her rivals is Palace Legacy, who is making his first appearance in a handicap race.
At Auteuil, the Group 3 Prix de Maisons‑Laffitte at 2:50 pm will see Leopard Du Berlais attempt to rediscover his early‑season form. The four‑year‑old won his first three starts by a combined 18 lengths but has struggled to reproduce that dominance since, making his odds a potential value pick. Caragio was unlucky in the Leger Legends at Doncaster earlier this month when trainer‑owner Adam Kirby eased the horse too early.
After being penalised by a one‑pound reduction for that effort, Caragio will be a well‑fancied entry in Southwell’s 8 pm At The Races App Expert Tips Handicap. Across the Atlantic, the G2 Flower Bowl at Belmont will feature Sunlit Uplands, Esna, Cathedral and Kathynmarissa, while Santa Anita will host the Goodwood Stakes at 12:30 am, rounding out a packed day of international racing action.