The racing schedule for Monday is packed, featuring fixtures at Brighton, Newton Abbot, and Wolverhampton, all broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing. Among the highlights is the campaign of Danehill Star, a Tony Carroll‑trained gelding who is eyeing a remarkable hat‑trick in the upcoming handicap at Brighton.
The horse has been in scintillating form, having won his previous two outings. The first triumph came over the same course and distance, where he edged out his rival by half a length.
He then followed that up with a dominant performance at Bath, where he surged ahead to win by more than five lengths. Those victories have not gone unnoticed by the official handicapper, who has raised his rating by ten pounds.
Despite the added weight, the manner of his Bath win suggests that Danehill Star remains a strong contender to secure a third straight victory. Another contender worth watching is Newfangled, who may pose the biggest challenge to Danehill Star.
Newfangled captured the same race last season while carrying just one pound less, indicating a genuine affinity for the course. He has hit peak form at the right moment, having produced a creditable third‑place finish at Windsor in his most recent start. This recent performance, coupled with his proven ability on the Brighton track, makes him a serious threat. Course specialist Dion Baker, who has been struggling from a rating of 73 after a 36‑pound rise since his winning run in late May, could still be in the mix.
The handicap has dropped him by two pounds, giving him a marginally better chance. Meanwhile, On The Inlet might be competitive if he can rediscover the early‑season progression that saw him excel when racing in a lower class.
Turning to the novice hurdle scene, Dovecote fourth Matiwo is returning for the Jodie Standing's Point‑To‑Point Recruits Novices' Hurdle. Matiwo showed great promise as a juvenile hurdler last season, winning a respectable novice at Newbury and then delivering a brilliant fourth‑place effort in the Grade Two Dovecote Hurdle, where he ran like one of the best in the field. That day he beat several high‑quality opponents, including the future Grade One Top Novices' Hurdle winner Storming George. His current form and relatively unexposed profile place him well above the rest of the field, and he should prove a tough nut to crack on his seasonal reappearance.
Ride Like A Girl, who looked encouraging after wind surgery and a win in May, has not progressed since that victory. If he lines up for his final run after a short break, his experience and fitness could make him a competitive outsider.
Scott's Legacy could emerge as the principal threat if he takes to the obstacles for the first time, having displayed an impressive win in a solid bumper at Southwell in March. Pappano, rated 96 on the flat and a participant in this year's Triumph Hurdle for Willie Mullins, has yet to show promise over hurdles, having run keenly in his two starts. He now has a lot to prove and could surprise if he settles better.
In other news, record‑breaking 1‑33 outsider Najidi Storm is set to face the exciting Wootz in the Download the At the Races App Novice Stakes. Najidi Storm burst onto the scene with a half‑length win on debut, showcasing a sharp turn of foot. He later produced two subsequent victories, including a fourth‑place finish in the Cambridgeshire behind Gavriel.
However, he struggled in heavy ground at Goodwood, becoming the shortest‑priced loser in British racing history at 1‑33. He is a half‑brother to St Leger winner Logician and to the talented Okeechobee, indicating a strong pedigree and plenty of scope for improvement. The competition will be fierce, with Wootz offering a stern test. Wootz attracted attention with a six‑and‑a‑half‑length debut victory before being well‑favoured at Windsor, where he hung left badly and was unable to beat the classy Song Of The Clouds.
Additional experience could see him continue his upward trajectory. Al Jolson secured a comfortable win on his second start, while Shadow Boxer is expected to benefit from the extra furlong after a solid debut in April. For those following the broader card, the schedule includes: - 4.27 pm at Brighton – Royal County Glory seeks a third consecutive win. - 5.00 pm at Brighton – Macanudo also aims for a hat‑trick.
- 1.50 pm at Newton Abbot – Depalma targets his first fence victory for the Skeltons. - 3.00 pm at Newton Abbot – Gore Point hopes to rebound when matched against recent winner Juggernaut. - 3.35 pm at Newton Abbot – Saint Polo looks to return to form after a poor chase start, targeting a fourth win over hurdles.
- 4.10 pm at Newton Abbot – An intriguing clash between the unexposed yet progressive pair Kom Tu Voudras and Kilnew Supreme. - 5.30 pm at Wolverhampton – Majestic Flame aims to rediscover form after a promising debut in the hot Goodwood maiden.
- 8.00 pm at Wolverhampton – Trappy offers a 0‑75 handicap opportunity. - 8.30 pm at Wolverhampton – The Anthony Gover seeks a course‑and‑distance hat‑trick. Bordeaux will also host a listed race later in the day. Stay tuned to Sky Sports Racing for the latest horse racing news, interviews, and feature stories, and never miss a beat by following the action on your mobile device.